Selecting the Right Carpet

With more choices available than ever before, choosing the right carpet can be a challenge. You will want to consider quality, function, and durability, in addition to colour, style and texture.

The following factors will influence the appearance and performance of carpet in your home, and are related to the cost of the carpet:
1. Carpet Fibre
2. Carpet Construction
3. Carpet Texture

Consider the area to be carpeted and the type and level of activity you expect it to have; for example, consider the needs for a Master Bedroom as opposed to a Family Room. Since the components and characteristics of carpets may vary considerably, depending on the combination of the factors above, some styles may be suitable for one area and not be suitable for another. Make an informed decision by understanding the basics about carpet.

1. Carpet Fibre:
Fibre is a carpet's basic ingredient and the type of fibre used will determine the appearance, performance and value of your carpet. During the manufacturing process fibre is converted into yarn, which is tufted or woven to form the pile. The two classes of fibres are natural, such as wool, and man-made, such as nylon, olefin, and polyester. Most carpets are made entirely of one fibre type, but some styles can be blended. Each fibre type has different performance characteristics to be considered according to your needs:

FIBRE	CHARACTERISTICS & PERFORMANCE
Nylon	Most popular carpet fibre Rich colour, broadest styling applications Excellent durability, resilience, wear-resistant Usually treated to enhance stain resistance Great for high traffic areas
Polyester	Luxurious, soft touch Excellent colour clarity and color retention Resistant to water-soluable stains
Olefin (Polypropylene)	Strong fibre, resists wear Excellent inherent stain resistance Low static electricity Resistant to moisture, mildew, and fading Suited to loop, berber-like constructions
Wool	Soft natural touch, luxurious appearance Excellent wear and resilience Moderate soil and stain resistance More expensive than man-made fibers Best for low traffic areas

The more resilient the fibre the better the carpet's long-term appearance retention.

2. Construction:
There are three very important construction factors that determine the durability of a carpet. The right balance of the following factors will control how well it will keep its original look:

The Type of fibre - its strength and resiliency

The Twist of the yarn - the more turns per inch of the pile yarn wound around itself, and heat-set during construction to lock the turns into place, the tighter the twist, and the greater the ability for
the tuft to stand up and retain its shape.

The Density of the pile - the amount of pile yarn in the carpet and the closeness of the tufts determines the density - the more yarn a carpet contains the higher its density, the greater the resiliency. To
check density, press the carpet with your fingers to check how easily
you push through to the backing.

3. Carpet Texture:
The texture of a carpet refers to the actual surface- the construction process, tufts, twists and pile density determine whether the carpet is smooth or uneven, velvety or rough. The carpet's surface will affect the look of the carpet, the way colour is perceived, the illusion of space, the mood of the room, and the carpet's performance.
The six different types of carpet texture styles in YourHomeStyle are:

Each texture feels different to the touch and creates a different atmosphere in your room's design. Express yourself - think of carpet as a fashion item and bring your own personal style to life with the RIGHT CHOICE for your lifestyle!