Carpet

Carpet has been providing beauty, warmth, and comfort ever since the time Middle-Eastern nomadic tribes began hand-tufting it about 2500 years ago. Wall-to-wall carpet as we now know it emerged as a result of the development of the “power loom” (a precursor to the modern "broadloom") in 1839, which dramatically decreased manufacturing time and costs while increasing production, affordability, and popularity. It also gave us the fixed-width, machine-tufted carpets that we know today.

Carpet can be made of natural fibres like wool, or synthetics such as nylon, polypropylene (olefin) or polyester. Most carpets receive some type of stain protection such as STAINMASTER®, R2X™ or Scotchgard™ during the manufacturing process.

Ideally, carpet is made from Bulk Continuous Filaments (BCF) where the fibres are heat-set and twisted, resulting in a highly durable product, although it is commonly made from spun or “stapled” yarn which is less costly, but more prone to "shedding."

Carpet Benefits

Warmth: Carpet is the best choice for areas where warmth is crucial such as basements, and children’s bedrooms.
Sound Absorption: Carpet has the highest sound absorption properties among floor coverings. This quality is especially valuable in high rises and apartment buildings where it’s important to dissipate the transmission of sound between units.
Insulation: Carpet provides great insulation between floors of your home, especially when installed over underpad.
Indoor Air Quality: If your carpet is maintained properly (according to the manufacturer’s specifications), it can reduce airborne dirt, and trap allergens and dust mites, resulting in a cleaner indoor air.
Low Cost: Because of its relatively low cost of installation (compared to the cost of installing other flooring products), carpet is generally considered to be one of the most economical flooring options available.
Durability: A well-maintained carpet can often outlive all other floor covering choices.
Safety: Due to the soft texture, and the non-slip qualities of carpet, it is an ideal floor for the elderly and young children.

Indoor Air Quality

A properly maintained carpet is one of the best solutions for maintaining air quality. Period. It reduces airborne dust and allergens, while allowing them to be vacuumed up and disposed of.

According to The Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI), new carpet is one of the lowest emitters of Volatile organic compounds (VOC), in the indoor environment, and those emissions dissipate very quickly. The low level VOC emissions from new carpet normally dissipate within 48 to 72 hours after."

The stringent quality and environmental standards we that enjoy today have evolved out of extensive research and collaboration between the carpet industry and government regulatory bodies such as Health Canada, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

Most wool carpets are treated with moth-resist agents. Moth-resist treated wool is harmless to humans and pets. In fact, even wool-eating insects cannot be harmed by the mere contact with the treated fiber. Only if they try nibbling will they have issues. The most widely used moth-resist agent is permethrin (a synthetic pyrethroid) which is chemically very similar to pyrethrum, a naturally occurring insecticide found in a number of chrysanthemum varieties. Safe, effective, and permanent, permethrin has been approved for use by every environmental and health organization world-wide as well as the World Health Organization. There have been no reported cases of serious illness caused by permethrin anywhere in the world.

For those people who have chemical sensitivities, we offer products that are un-dyed and are not moth-treated. Just because they aren't treated with moth-resist chemistry doesn't mean they'll appear in a moth buffet line any time soon. In fact, some of the oldest carpets on earth have been discovered in tombs on the Silk Road in China dating back five thousand years or more, well before moth proofing, and they're still intact. All that is required on treatment-free products is a little extra care in maintenance in dark and seldom trafficked areas.

Studies show that properly maintained wool carpets actually have a beneficial effect on indoor air quality and people's health. Wool carpets absorb, neutralize, and do not re-emit common pollutants such as nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide, and formaldehyde. Additionally, wool attracts and holds airborne contaminates such as dust, dust mites, and pollen until they can be harmlessly vacuumed away. A major European respiratory study (2002) of nearly 20,000 people at 30 centers in 17 countries concluded that carpets in bedrooms (in lieu of hard surface floors) resulted in dramatic reductions in allergic and asthmatic symptoms.

Carpet Styles

Carpets are generally constructed with either a “loop-pile” or "cut-pile", or a combination of both. In a loop-pile carpet the yarn is tufted into loops while in cut-pile the loops are cut at the top, leaving the tufted yarn to stand straight.

Loop Pile Carpets

Made from loops, are easy to clean and highly recommended for traffic areas and stairs, especially suited for contemporary lifestyles.

Level Loop: A “level loop” carpet is, by definition, a carpet which has a pile comprised entirely of looped tufts of fibre, each of equal height. This style of carpet is usually made of nylon or wool (as opposed to the typical “berber” style carpet which is made of Olefin and is comprised of multi-level loops) It is extremely durable in high traffic areas, and does not show vacuum tracks.
Multi-Level Loop: This carpet style is created from combining different loop heights in a single carpet, thereby altering the way the light refracts off of the carpet pile, resulting in a stunning collection of patterns and textures. Multi-level loop carpets are available in most natural and synthetic carpet fibres.
Berber: Although this term is often used to refer to any carpet with a loop pile, the modern term “berber” generally refers to an economical multi-coloured, loop-pile carpet made from olefin. It doesn't show footmarks or vacuum tracks, and is a popular choice for basement recreation rooms.
Cut & Loop: This carpet style is created by combining cut-pile and loop-pile carpet in order to create sculptured design effects, a softer feel, and deeper, lusher colours. The cut-and loop style is usually only found in nylon or wool carpets.
Sisal: Although actual “sisal” is a plant native to Mexico (agave sisalana) which can be woven into a tight eco-friendly matting material, the term “sisal” is more commonly used to refer to a low-pile carpet with a linear pattern. As it is a popular style, it can be found in most natural and synthetic carpet fibres.

Cut-pile Carpets

Cut-pile carpets come in many looks and textures, and are available in wool, nylon, and polyester.

Plush or Velvet: The term “plush” is widely used in popular culture to depict smooth, sophisticated luxury, and the term certainly applies here. A plush carpet is a soft, smooth, dense cut-pile carpet. The term “velvet” refers to the ultra-soft carpet which tracks like velvet when vacuumed.
Saxony or Textured: These dense cut-pile styles are designed with a very high heat-set twist so as to reduce the crushing and traffic marks evident in plush and velvet styles. It has been the traditional benchmark style for casual residential applications in mid to high traffic areas.
Frieze: This style of carpet is sometimes referred to as a “mini-shag,” (but no 1960’s-style rake is required). Today’s frieze’s are designed with the most advanced fibres and heat-twisting technology, and perform extremely well in medium to high traffic zones. With the recently popularity of hard surfaces, a frieze offers an extremely comfortable, casual, and luxurious living area.
Carpet Tiles: Are quickly becoming a popular high-value flooring option for commercial high-traffic areas where there is a high probability that a portion of the carpet will have to be replaced due to spills, staining, damage, and heavy traffic. Carpet tiles come in 18" and 24" squares, have backings made from recycled rubber, and do not require underpad. It is installed using pressure-sensitive adhesive for easy replacement, or even double sided tape.
Indoor/Outdoor Carpet: This sun-and-weather resistant polypropylene carpet is available in many colours, textures, and designs. It provides a colourful low-cost, low-maintenance, anti-slip surface that is ideal for porches, pool decks, boats, and even many indoor applications. It is also available in constructions suitable for a range of light-duty to heavy-duty applications.

Popular Stain Protection Technologies

STAINMASTER® (by DuPont™): Since its introduction to the industry in 1981, through outstanding performance and outstanding marketing, STAINMASTER® has established itself as the best-recognized brand in carpet stain protection technology. In fact, STAINMASTER® has become so synonymous with the idea of “quality carpet” that most people don't realize that STAINMASTER® doesn't actually make carpet – it makes the fibre, which it sells to carpet manufacturers such a Shaw, Beaulieu, Gulistan, Dixie Home, etc.
STAINMASTER® fibre is a solution-dyed (thru-colour) “Type6.6 nylon” fibre (which is the most durable type of carpet nylon available), with a carbon core for static dissipation, and then a Teflon® sheathing, covering the entire fibre from tip to tip. The result is a virtually stain proof carpet which costs a bit more than non- STAINMASTER® carpets, but delivers the value it advertises.
R2X™: Stain and Soil Resistance System (By Shaw Industries) – This process was introduced by Shaw Carpet Industry in 2001 as an exclusive stain and soil repelling system. R2X™ system covers the total fibre, providing complete protection from top to bottom of the yarn. Therefore, spills will not penetrate the yarn. All fibre types including nylon, polyester and polypropylene can be treated with this method.
Scotchgard™ (By 3M): Launched in 1956, Scotchgard™, was the first stain protection product to be developed, and like many innovations, it was discovered by accident, in an attempt to develop a rubber material that would resist deterioration from jet aircraft fuels.
Scotchgard™ has been topically applied to many different products, carpet being one of them, and quickly became the industry standard in topical stain protection.

Although it still holds this distinction, it now finds itself protecting the more economical carpet options, ever since the introduction of full-fibre protection technologies (such as STAINMASTER®) which provide superior stain protection and do not need to be re-applied after the carpet is professionally cleaned.

Carpet Maintenance

Cleaning your carpet regularly, will not only help it look its best, but also extends the life of your carpet.

[Have your husband] vacuum regularly.
Spot clean immediately.
Do not rub stains, just blot them.
Steam clean your carpet at least every two years, or according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Move furniture around from time to time, to alternate exposure to sunlight and traffic patterns.
Use rugs in traffic areas.
When cleaning, take care to not wet your carpet too much, as it can invite mold growth.
Always follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.

Carpet Installation Tips

If you have hired a professional installer to do the project, there are always a few things to do to make it go smoother.

Remove all the wall hangings, and empty any shelves or furniture to be moved. Vacuuming the existing carpet prior to removal will help reduce the dust that will be made airborne during the removal and disposal process.
Open up the windows a bit, to allow for proper ventilation Flooring is a “finishing” trade, so in order to reduce the chance of damage from following trades, ensure that carpeting is one of the last steps in your renovation project.
Once the installer arrives with your carpet, make sure to check it’s the carpet you've ordered.
Inspect the carpet for any defects.
Inspect the installed carpet, and the workmanship, for any deficiencies before the installer leaves.
You might find some fibres after the installation. This is normal. You may simply vacuum them up. Remember, carpets – especially wool – may shed for some time after installation.

Carpet Underpad (AKA: "underlay", or "undercushion")

Underpad is to carpet what shock absorbers are to your car. It adds comfort while extending the life of the carpet.

There are many types of underpads in the market, made from rubber, urethane foam, bounded urethane or felt. They also come in different thicknesses and densities. It is recommended to use at least 7lb, 3/8" thick underpad for light traffic residential areas.

Remember, the thicker the underpad doesn't mean a better quality. It is the density that adds value to the underpad.

High Density Underpad: Made from new and/or recycled chip-foam, this is considered the “standard” foam underpad as it is the most economical option. Although this product is available in many different densities and thicknesses, 3/8" thick and 7 1/2 lb density is the most common choice.
SP603 Rubber Underlay: This closed-cell 3/8" thick and 22lb density rubber underpad is made from recycled tires and is an excellent for heavy traffic areas and stairs. Because of its high density and moisture resistance, it is excellent for extending the life of the carpet, although it does emit a strong rubber smell for a few days after installation.
Triple Touch™: Made exclusively by Shaw, this premium underpad features an enhanced urethane construction. Its low-friction backing allows for better seaming during installation, and because Triple Touch™ is moisture resistant, liquid or stains do not penetrate and get trapped. Its anti-bacterial treatment kills mold, mildew, fungus and bacteria. Triple Touch™ underpad is 7/16" thick, and is available in 8lbs and 10lb densities.
DURA CARPET CUSHIONS® (AKA: "Duracushion"): This premium commercial-grade underpad is made from recycled tires, and is ideal for heavy traffic areas like offices or homes with wheelchairs. It is available for use with carpet in 7mm and 10mm thicknesses.
Eco FiberTouch™: Made exclusively by Shaw, this commercial-grade underpad is made from recycled fibres, resulting in an extremely resilient and eco-friendly product with an appearance akin to felt.