Carpet Fiber Charisma

By Annette Callari, ASID; CMG

It’s been a while since we’ve talked about the nuts and bolts of carpeting—the fiber carpets are made from.  Fiber technologies continue to evolve and amaze us as to performance. So I thought I’d put together a little refresher course on the different types of fibers available for you.

Although wool carpets have the longest history of use in carpets, nylon fiber carpets have been around for decades. They came into high fashion during the 1950’s when it was a luxury to have wall-to-wall carpeting.  You have no idea how many hardwood floors went undercover for years with the advent of that trend.  Manufacturers tried round fibers, triangular fibers, and then finally found that a rounded trilobal fiber was the best configuration for performance and soil-hiding.

Two types, Nylon 6.6 and Nylon 6, are typically used in carpet. Nylon can claim the ability to produce a stunning array of color harmonies; a luxurious soft “hand”, excellent resiliency, durability, abrasion resistance and texture retention. Just as importantly, consumers benefit from nylon’s significant resistance to stains and soils.  As a matter of fact, it has become an expected feature for carpet to have superior stain resistant properties–and mills continue to deliver on those expectations. Solution-dyed nylon, in particular, has proven to offer excellent color fastness and increased stain ‘clean-ability’.

More recently, nylon fiber developments have focused on soft-handed luxury.  Stainmaster Tactesse and Shaw/Anso Nylon’s Caress are leaders in soft-engineered carpets.  At the same time, manufacturers have been attentive to sustainability and recyclable polymers–a significant direction that continues to gain momentum. In this instance, consumer consciousness is driving this direction of R & D, demanding responsible manufacturing and post-use accountability.  Sustainability is a multi-faceted frontier and it will be extremely interesting to see where R & D takes fiber technologies over the next decade.  Overall, when you weigh the advantages of nylon’s durability and resilience against other fiber types, it’s not surprising that nylon still claims the largest percentage of carpet sold in the United States.

It’s a fact that forward-thinking R & D is a necessity for mills to bring something unique to the marketplace. As a result, we have seen some creative fiber types emerge.  Mohawk Carpet Mills introduced SmartStrand® carpet with DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced polymer about eight years ago. In a partnership with DuPont, this carpet offers fiber made with Bio-PDO™ (the key Sorona® ingredient, also known as TriextaÒ).  SoronaÒ is produced from corn sugar. By utilizing this new ingredient, 37 percent of Sorona® is being made from renewable resources. The end result?   A luxuriously soft carpet that offers durability and stain protection, while making less of an environmental impact. The Carpet and Rug Institute had this to say about TriextaÒ: “…Features include a luxurious soft “hand”, excellent colorfastness, bright colors, inherent and permanent stain resistance… durability, resistance to fading, clean-ability, texture retention and resiliency.”

Mohawk’s Karastan division features SmartStrandÒ products in their Color Choicesdisplay unit.  Color is the key magnet attracting consumers to this display, but the “hand” of the carpet and the warranties that back SmartStrandÒ are the features that close the sale.  Even though SmartStrandÒ is still in its infancy compared to nylon, it has made a strong impact in the marketplace.

It would be impossible to write about fiber types and not dedicate a paragraph toOlefin (polypropylene) carpets.  Olefin has especially found its niche in the realm of commercial carpeting.  Its versatility in styling and amazing colorations accounts for a big part of its popularity.  Just as attractive is the competitive pricing olefin carpets offer.   Turn key installations benefit from both the aesthetics and affordability.  Olefin features include permanent resistance to water-based stains, colorfastness, and resistance to static electricity. It’s inherently resistant to moisture, making it the primary fiber used in indoor/outdoor carpets. We are seeing these well-styled carpets transitioning from the commercial world to residential, as consumers are embracing more tailored, well constructed styles.

Polyester carpets have always garnered mixed reviews.  The luxurious hand and incredible face weights make this fiber type a strong draw.  70 oz., 80oz. and even 90 oz. face weights are not uncommon, and compared to their nylon counterparts, these hefty polyester carpets are very reasonably priced.  Other attractive characteristics include inherent and permanent stain resistance, the ability to produce colors with superior clarity, good abrasion resistance, fade resistance, and clean-ability.  Polyester does not have as good a reputation for abrasion resistance as nylon, but evolving technologies continue to deliver an ever-improving fiber.

Let’s turn the focus to wool.  Wool carpets seem to have a unique status quotient all their own.  This natural fiber brings luxury and performance to the floor in equal parts.  Its features include a naturally soft hand, high bulk, good color options and inherent flame-retardant characteristics. That’s a credible menu of features for a fiber with the longest history of use in carpeting.  The naturally low luster level of wool is a strong draw, and other fiber types do their best to emulate it.

Without a doubt, fiber selection ultimately affects carpet aesthetics and end-use performance. We, as consumers are the benefactors and owe manufacturers a vote of thanks.  It’s their call as to which fiber types will perform best in certain constructions.  So far, I’d say they are making very wise calls.  We continue to see striking, well made carpets spicing up the floor covering market, pairing exactly the right fiber with the right construction!

I love what a stair runner can add to a home. Few things offer more “bang for the buck” then a custom stair runner flowing elegantly down steps. Stair runners can vary widely in style, color and look, but if given some thought any style and color will add a custom finished addition that will give your home a one of a kind feel. Some of our most popular styles are sisal and natural fiber looks.

Striations really look great with the vertical lines of a staircase

I am seeing a lot of color and pattern used on stair runners currently. Installation is really critical so that the runner has a custom finish. What you don’t want is to see some installer  shooting the runner onto the steps with staples. This will not last and will look good for very long.

Take a look at the “before and afters” below. This was installed for a client about a month ago and they have loved it. As a matter of fact, 3 of their friends have ordered a runner similar for their own homes.

Nice stairs, but nothing memorable

ho hum

almost cold, but nice

See the difference?

Skins may not be your thing, but this looks so custom and great

Safe and warms it up

The homeowners love it and so do their friends

Another important attribute that a runner offers is increased safety. Whether for pets, kids or elderly there is no question that the stairs are more safe.

Would you like a stair runner in your home? Did you like the Animal Print runner? Let me know.

New carpet for your home can vary in cost. There are many factors to consider, but I am going to try and give you a quick overview in potential costs for good quality carpet and installation. Of course there are many variables, so don’t hold me or your project manager to this exactly.

Ok, the first consideration is the carpet, and carpet will be the most expensive component with this purchase. Let’s assume that you are a typical family looking to upgrade your carpet from a “builder beige” plush style carpet to something with more style, better performance and a good warranty. Maybe a nice cut and loop pattern with a geometric design? It will look great!!

Mirage- and exclusive Textures carpet-- Looks AWESOME down!!

 So a material like this will run you about $17.00 per square yard (divide by 9 for square foot price)

Next, you will need new carpet cushion. Cushion is critical to the way your carpet will wear and perform. The cushion I will recommend for this install is an 8lb 7/16″ rebond. this is a very nice cushion, but not the best. It will more than do its job though.

So to recap, you have several components and costs associated with buying new carpet.

Total- $31.75 per square yard– Not a bad price, but what does this mean for you? If you have a typical home with lets say 3 bedrooms and a family room that you want to carpet, you probably have around 100 yards (900 square feet). If that is the case then you can expect to pay about $3200.00 for a complete new look and style.

Let me know if you have any questions and I will be happy to answer them or help you find the perfect carpet for your home.

You’ve decided on new carpet, but you want to shop smart. You already know how carpet is made and the difference between carpet styles, but what else is there to know before you buy? Lots.

Here are some tips to give you the upper hand on what will soon be underfoot!

Seams

Unless your room is narrower than 15 feet, you’re going to have seams. Most carpet comes in widths of 12 feet and 15 feet — and on occasion, 13 feet. The degree of visibility of your seams depends on the texture and color you choose, as well as the lighting and furniture placement in your room.

Bending

When you carpet your stairs, its backing may show on the bends. And if it’s a looped carpet, it can snag — especially at the seams or transitions.

A carpet’s nap runs in a single direction, making pile reversal or the shading you see from a vacuum trail, completely normal for most cut pile styles. If you’re not a fan, window treatments and furniture placement can minimize the effect.

Quality

Let’s face it. You get what you pay for. If you want your carpet to have a great pile density and tighter twist construction (which leads to improved durability), then you’re going to want to go with a higher quality (and more expensive) product. New carpet adds value to any home, so it’s an investment worth making.

Color

Carpet covers a large part of any room, so it’s vital that you consider some basic rules when selecting its color. First off, know that once your carpet is installed, it’s going to look lighter in color than the sample you saw in the store. Don’t ask us why, that’s just the way it is — kind of like losing a sock in the dryer.

Next, recognize that color can affect the apparent size of a room. Call it a visual illusion or a trick of the light, but lighter carpet makes a room look larger and darker colors make a room look smaller and more intimate.

If you like to redecorate often or plan to move soon, go neutral. It’s much easier to imagine furniture in a room that is decorated with neutral colors.

Stains

It’s going to happen, no matter how long you hold out from sipping wine or munching on chips and salsa in your freshly carpeted room. Stain protection is an important consideration when buying carpet. Products come with various levels of protection and warranties. As the quality of a carpet increases, so does its stain protection level and warranty coverage.

Padding/Cushion

Padding or cushion is the layer of spongy material between carpet and floor. It’s the padding — not the carpet — that determines whether the carpet feels good or great under your feet.

A quality padding can help preserve a carpet’s look and can extend its life and comfort by providing tougher protection against wear and tear.

Padding is sold using quality specifications, not color specifications. The color of the sample you see in the store may not be the same color as what’s installed in your home. But as long as it feels good, who cares?!

Warranty

It’s a good idea to read the product specs and warranty coverage on the back labels of your carpet prior to purchasing. Doing so will give you the information you need to protect your investment — and eliminate any surprises down the road.

Cost

“Cost per square foot” is just one component of the overall price tag for new carpet. Ask your retailer to calculate the total cost of your floor covering project. Here’s what he or she may include beyond the cost of the carpet, itself:

• Furniture removal/replacement
  Some retailers or installers may charge to remove (and then replace) furniture in the room to be carpeted.
• Demolition/disposal of old floor covering
  Unless your home is brand new, there’s probably an old floor covering that is going to need to be removed and properly disposed of.
• Sub-floor preparation
  Depending on its condition (after removal of the old floor covering), your subfloor may need to be prepped for carpet installation.
• Product delivery
  Delivering your carpet and padding may not be included in the “cost per square foot” price.
• Installation
  There will most likely be a “cost per square foot” or “square yard” to install your new carpet and padding.
• Materials required to complete the installation
  Additional materials, like adhesives, moisture barriers, stair nosing and baseboards may be required to properly install your carpet.
• Financing
  Many retailers offer financing as an option of payment. Be sure to check the interest rate, minimum payment due and any finance charges if you choose to pay your purchase off over time.

In addition to your total project cost, annual cleanings are also recommended to maintain the beauty and life of your new carpet. Ask your retailer and/or consult the manufacturer’s warranty and care guide for directions on cleaning and maintenance.

Color on Walls

Introduce color on the walls to make a room warm and lively.

Select Furniture that Completes your Look

Streamline the look of a room.

Pops of Color

Add pop to a neutral room by adding a few smart hits of color.

Select a Mirror that Works with the Room

Make a room appear brighter and larger by positioning a mirror to reflect light and a view.

Throw Pillows

Invest a couch with a modern, informal sensibility by tossing on odd number of throw pillows. For something more traditional, do an even number.

 Embrace robust colors.

 (Green has actually been shown to create a sense of calm and comfort.)

Create a modern décor

Use bright colors and fuss-free pieces.

Recently I read a great article about carpet making a comeback, and it was surprising to hear why. Although hardwood flooring is continuing to grow in popularity, families still crave comfort and custom style. According to Emily Morrow, director of color and design for Shaw floors, “people have experienced those hard surfaces and they want to surround themselves with comfort”. People are using carpet to make a statement and color and pattern are in. There are thousands of color and pattern choices and people want their taste reflected, they want it to say this is “me”!!

TV has played a huge role in the reemergence of carpet. On hit design and reality shows, bold patterns and bright colors are in constant use. People want that in their own home too. They want to experiment and design a space that feels like a custom, beautiful home.

Below, you will see some beautiful patterns that are very popular with our customers. Let me know what you think.

Love this, sophisticated.

Texture and fluff.

Striations are great.

Animal patterns are sooo popular, especially on stairs.

do you see the airplane

Timeless and very custom appearing, but not hard on the wallet

Love this look

Gotta love the shag

AWESOME

We love to make a room fun, the foundation or flooring can really shape a rooms feel. I love some of the new styles that designers are using in these spaces. It is great to use carpets that have an “identity” and add to the overall feeling of a room. In many instances they define the feeling. Take a look at some of the cool new styles that we are featuring. Would these work in a room in your home?

Shapes and Striations!! Elegant and Fun!!

Chenille and Sateen- this could be awesome for a movie room!!

I love the colors and feel of this one!! Custom rug or awesome man cave carpet??

Another great thing about all of these carpets is how easy to maintain they are. They will be very stain resistant and hold up well under lots of traffic. Just vacuum regularly and spot clean.

Great for the kids playroom, will hide stains well.

Cool for teens, bonus or even bedrooms!!

Some of these carpets can be for any room in the house and can really turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. We see a lot of rugs made from these materials as well.

Amazing look down. Rich and refined with great colors.

These carpets are also really plush, so if your family likes to play or lay around on the floor these will feel very good and soft.

The "new traditional"

MAN CAVE!!!

The sky is the limit, remember this can create an amazing foundation for the room. I would love to hear if you think one of these looks could make an impact in your home.

Sisal flooring is one of the most popular and great looking options available. Sisal is a design dream, offering great color and sophistication, while being neutral and subtle. What is sisal? Sisal (Agave sisalana) is an agave that yields a stiff fibre traditionally used in making  twine, rope and also dartboards. The term may refer either to the plant or the fibre, depending on context. The plant’s origin is uncertain; while traditionally it was deemed to be a native of  Yucatan, there are no records of botanical collections from there. In the 19th century, sisal cultivation spread to Florida  the Carribean islands and Brazil, as well as to other countries in Africa.   Today Brazil is the major world producer of sisal.

Raw Material, even pretty then!!

Traditionally used for rope and twine, sisal has many uses, including paper, cloth, wall coverings and carpets.

Great Fibreworks Sisal

Sisal is a golden color but is available in many colors when died. Whats great about sisal is that it is soft on bare feet and is very resilient. Sisal comes in hundreds of colors and patterns, mostly with boucles that vary in size. Sisal also has amazing natural striations that is often imitated by other synthetic fibres.

Soft (enough) on the feet

Keep in mind that sisal rugs are not designed to be used wet areas, such as bathrooms. Since sisal is an organic material, it can develop water stains. However, in the rest of your home it actually helps to regulate mild changes in humidity by absorbing excess moisture in the air and releasing it during drier days.

A Designers dream

I love metallic tones

To maintain the beauty of your sisal rug, vacuuming daily or at least weekly is essential. Although the rug may look as though it is clean, there may be fine dirt particles in the weave. If left, the particles can lodge between the fibers causing excessive wear as the rug is walked on -acting much like sand paper. Your vacuum should have strong suction and a brush attachment, or a beater brush on an upright.

Textures Best seller!

Remove any liquid spills immediately by blotting or pat drying with a clean cotton cloth (or acceptable substitute). Do not rub the spill area as this can force the liquid further into the fiber. scrape dry spills with a blunt blade -such as a teaspoon or dull side of a butter knife. Work from the edge of the spill toward the center to contain the spill.

I am always excited to see innovation that helps the environment. The innovation usually is driven by technology, but this new carpet from British Wool is an example of “if it aint broke, than dont fix it”. This carpet is wool, totally natural by the way and is undyed. The colors you see are actually the color of the sheep. How cool??

Cute little guy, isnt he?

By the way, wool is the most durable fiber carpet can be constructed from and has many great properties. Designers love it because it has a natural delustered look, and holds color so well.

Totally Natural!! The color is determined by the sheeps wool.

Wool carpet is typically a looped pile and has some sort of pattern. I am a big fan of patterns because they are gorgeous down and scream elegance. If you want to create a eco frindly enviroment combined with high style, you have your product.

So great for anywhere in your home.

Wouldnt you love this as a rug or on your stairs? Let me know what you think.

Submitted By:  Annette M. Callari, Allied ASID, CMG

America is in love with hard surface floors.  It’s true and for a reason:  they are gorgeous.  But we are also programmed to seek out sensory comforts every chance we get, and once that gene kicks in, our thoughts turn to plush, soft, luxurious carpet.  What America has discovered (through trial and error) is that a pleasing balance of soft to hard surfaces in our homes is what really works for us.

Given that fact, it’s time for me to update you on a line of carpets I discovered at Surfaces 2010 (huge flooring trade show in Las Vegas).  Since we are focusing on smaller areas to carpet in our homes, why not splurge and investigate some higher-end styles?  Nourison Carpets fits the bill and captivated me on multiple levels. New constructions, new products, and even new levels of customization were introduced.

Their Miami Broadloom Collection set the bar high for all other manufacturers, as to styling.  Sometimes words fall short of conveying a visual—but I will try.  Super-plush, sculpted graphic designs are the signature look of this Collection.  The large patterned graphics simulate gently flowing trellis motifs, soft-contemporary graphics, and bolder modular designs.  The velvety feel of these sculpted surfaces is bound to hook any sensory creature, but the extreme comfort underfoot is what reels you in for sure.

Nourison is very proud of their “hand-embossing” techniques that enhance the depth of each design.  The word “artwork” comes to mind as you flip through their library of styles.  Definitely a cut-above when it comes to fresh styling and detail.  To complete the package, these three transitional and modern designs come in a subtle, tonal color palette.  Very understated–and THAT speaks volumes about the elegance of these broadloom carpets.  AND, they are American made in Calhoun, Georgia.

Let’s not ignore the subject of area rugs.  Sometimes, that is just the right solution to soften and define spaces in our homes.  Nourison has that category covered as well.  They spoke to me about their Redi-Weave Five Star Custom Axminster Program.  (Right about now, you are saying speak English please.)  In layman’s terms, Axminster rugs are intricate designs produced on special machinery to accomplish a truly hand-woven look.  Nourison’s program is designed to offer custom looks while providing versatility, low minimum yardage requirements (40 sq. yards!), and a wealth of colors to choose from.  You can choose one of their designs, or tweak it to come up with one of your own.  They’ll even provide you with strike-offs for your approval before you place an order.  Now design doesn’t get any easier than that.

I commented earlier in this blog that Nourison set the bar high on styling and creativity.  That is excellent news for every consumer because manufacturers are all working overtime to one-up each other.  The result is carpeting that should be named something else—because it certainly has little resemblance to trite carpets of prior decades.  Aesthetics are superior.  Clean-ability is built-in.  And lucky, lucky us—we have access to beauty and comfort in one outstanding product.