Month: March 2016

No matter how durable your carpet is, there are many threats to its long life. And whether damage occurs right away or over time, it can mean an investment into new carpeting. However, many problems facing your carpet can be prevented with a little know-how.

Don’t Pull those Pulls

Have you noticed pieces of yarn sticking up out of your carpet? This happens when one or more loops in the pile of your carpet get pulled through it’s backing. Any sharp object can cause pulls to occur, from a pet’s claw to a dropped and forgotten nail or pin.

Noticing a pull in your carpet can be immediately followed by the overwhelming urge to tug it loose. But this is the last thing you should do. Instead, the right way to deal with pulls is to take a pair of scissors, and simply trim it to carpet level. Pulling it will only make things worse, and leaving it will give your carpet an uneven appearance.

Divots and Dents

When furniture has been in the same place for a while, unsightly divots and dents can be created in your carpet. Although they may not be visible now, should you choose to move that furniture in the future, they will quickly become evident.

Your heaviest furniture will harm your carpeting less if you add carpet protector cups under the legs. Also, you can prevent these dents and divots from occurring by remembering to move your furniture a few inches to the side or back every once in a while. This will distribute furniture weight over a larger area and ultimately help your carpeting to last longer.

Static Storage

You probably already know that carpets are creators of static electricity. But did you also know that they can store static? If your carpet experiences a lot of friction in the form of walking, sliding and similar forms of direct contact, your carpet is likely holding a lot of static. But it isn’t only activity which can cause static production and storage; all it takes is the right kind of backing, carpet construction or shoe sole to create static. Even the cleanliness of a carpet can have an effect on the amount of static it holds.

Where static is a problem in your carpeting, one solution can be to add moisture to the room. This can be done by placing a humidifier in a doorway. If static is still present, there are anti-static carpet treatment available, either from your local flooring store or carpet manufacturer.

Burned Fibres

Accidents do happen, and this includes burns. Burn marks can make your carpet look far older than it is, and if left unchecked, can quickly ruin your carpet for good. However, there is good news: the burns on your carpet are completely fixable. All that’s needed is some re-weaving, re-sectioning or re-tufting.

For situations where only the tips of the carpet have been burned, they can be easily taken care of. Simply snip off the burnt ends with a sharp pair of small scissors. Small scissors will afford you the precision required to cut off very small portions of the carpet fibres without risking the undamaged fibres nearby. If you’ve snipped off too much, you can simply trim down the surrounding fibres to even out the pile.

Shrinkage

Spills, if left unattended to dry can actually cause your carpet’s fibres to shrink. This is because liquid causes carpet yarn to loosen. However, this can be solved by addressing spills when they occur. Moreover, always ensure that you blot spills and don’t scrub, as this can also damage your carpeting.

There is little more frustrating than noticing that your carpet has become damaged in some way, but it’s a relief to know that you can solve these common issues inexpensively and in very little time.

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Pets are members of your family. As such, you want to ensure they are as safe as possible when roaming your home. Pets also eat, sleep and play on your floors. So ensuring that you choose the right pet-friendly flooring is a crucial step to keeping them happy and healthy.

But when it comes time to look for pet-friendly flooring, which is the best to choose? The decision can be difficult, especially if you have more than one type of pet. But the following can help you make the safest and most comfortable flooring choice not only for your pets, but for you as well.

Cleaning and Wear

Having pets means cleaning up after them, as well as more wear due to increased foot traffic. It is for this reason that so many pet owners opt for vinyl flooring. Not only can it provide an easy way to clean up splashes and spills, but vinyl flooring is also available in many different looks. For example, Karndean wood flooring is made of vinyl but has the appearance of real wood. Vinyl flooring can also handle stains and scratches well, and is far warmer underfoot than actual ceramic or stone.

Durability

If you have dogs, then durability will be the name of the game in your search for flooring. However, hardwood may not be the answer here, as it can be easily scratched. Where you want the look of hardwood but the durability needed for your dogs, a wood-look laminate floor may be the answer. It will provide the hard surface that will withstand running and jumping, without the risk of getting scratched by wayward claws.

Beauty and Affordability

Of course, if a win-win for you and your pets is the goal, then you’ll want to think about how your floors look. Any household with pets can have a great-looking floor; It just depends on choosing the right kind. Here again, laminate flooring can be the answer. Although you will likely not be able to install it in high moisture areas – laminate flooring will expand and warp in the presence of moisture – you can use it in high traffic areas like hallways, living rooms and kitchens.

The Case for Carpeting

The softness of carpeting cannot be equalled by any type of hard flooring. And let’s face it; there’s nothing that’s easier on your pet’s paws. But claws can become caught in carpet piles such as looped Berber, which can result in injury. However, there are ways to get around this if carpeting is what you desire. For instance, you might consider an area rug with a low pile. A low pile rug will not trap odours and fur as easily, and it can be taken outside to be washed if an accident occurs. You may also want to consider a rug with a busy pattern in a darker colour, as this can also help to hide any stains.

In addition to the carpet you choose, it’s also important to select the right underlay. Not only will underlay provide your carpet with a soft feel underfoot (and under paw), but it will also result in a longer life for your carpet. For rugs, it’s best to choose a thin underlay, as this will keep the rug closer to the floor and result in less tripping risk.

Finding the right flooring for households with pets doesn’t have to be difficult. When you think about the activities your pet does in your home on a daily basis, this can provide you with some valuable insight into which flooring choice may work best. As well, you may wish to consider the frequency at which spills occur. If they happen more often than not, some type of hard flooring may be far less stressful and time-consuming in terms of cleaning.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of walking across a carpet and sinking into its softness. But more than one kind of carpet can afford this kind of luxurious feel. When it’s time to choose carpeting for one or more rooms, it can help to understand the differences between each pile type. And one of these is cut pile.

How Cut Pile is Made

Cut pile, such as that which is available on Brintons carpets, is made with thick tufts of fibre. The thickness of any carpet is determined by the length of each tuft. In the case of cut pile carpet, the thick tufts are woven in and out of the carpet’s backing. When complete, these tufts exist in loops, which are cut across the top to create cut pile carpet.

But it’s the way in which the tufts are cut that causes the luxurious feel; cut pile carpet is cut so as to allow the tufting of each strand, which makes the carpet soft and fluffy, as well as giving it a very dense appearance. Cutting it in this way also gives it that cushion feel when walked across.

Types of Cut Pile

Under the category of cut pile carpet, there are three types: Saxony, frieze and plush. Each has a different construction and is suited to different areas of a home.

Saxony Carpet

Saxony offers underfoot softness, but with greater durability and bounce-back from traffic than its plush and frieze counterparts. A Saxony carpet contains a large number of fibres. These fibres are tightly twisted to each strand before being set straight using heat. This allows the tips of the fibres to remain distinct from one another and not blend together. As well, Saxony carpet is also constructed with thicker yarn than other cut pile types. Due to this more robust construction, Saxony carpet is less resistant to matting and the rigours of foot traffic. This makes it ideal for high-traffic areas. However, this is also the kind of carpeting which will show footprint and vacuum cleaner marks.

Frieze Carpet

Frieze cut pile carpet is known for its durability. Although it offers less softness than other cut pile carpeting types, frieze carpet is extremely hard-wearing. The construction of frieze carpet involves very tightly twisted fibres which curl around in different directions when cut, and don’t tuft like other types of cut pile. As a result, frieze carpet has a cobbled look to it. Frieze carpet is recommended for high-traffic areas in the home, as well as workspaces where foot traffic and the regular movement of office chairs occurs.

Plush Carpet

Plush carpet is the softest and thickest kind of cut pile carpet available. Plush carpeting is constructed with a high number of fibres weaved through the backing of the carpet. However, the fibres contain very little twist, if any at all. This is the feature that provides plush carpeting with its velvety and luxurious feel, as in not twisting the fibres, they can tuft to a greater degree. The more a carpet’s fibres are allowed to tuft; the plumper the carpet will appear, and the softer it will be to the touch. Plush carpeting is usually recommended for rooms with little foot traffic and where luxury is desired, such as a bedroom.

When searching for the right kind of cut pile carpet for your home, the construction of each type is important to remember. Choosing the correct type of cut pile carpet for one or more rooms will ensure that it can be used and enjoyed for as long as possible, which will also benefit your bank balance in the long run.

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If you’re looking at installing new flooring in your home, laminate is a great choice. It continues its rise in popularity, and for good reason; laminate flooring can not only completely transform the look of a room, but it can also make cleaning much easier. This kind of flooring is also quite durable, making it ideal for high-traffic areas of your home.

But installing laminate flooring yourself requires a few considerations. If you are planning on installing your flooring yourself, you will need to understand the importance of proper measurement.

Tools for Proper Measurement

Properly-installed laminate flooring is completely flat without any visible joins. And careful measurement is the only way to achieve this. The best-looking laminate floor will be one that was installed according to the exact size of a room. To do this, you will need a calculator and tape measure.

Finding the accurate size of a room may require the help of a second person. The measuring tape should be extended to the back of all door frames in the room. This will ensure proper extension and fitting of laminate under doors and into doorways.

If Your Room is Oddly-Shaped

An oddly-shaped room can be caused by anything from a fireplace or a bay window to pillars and other features. In order to properly measure for laminate flooring in rooms like these, measure those walls which are unobstructed by features first. Then, measure the length of the features. When added together, you will get your total length.

If your Room is Round

A round room will require a bit more calculation to come up with the right sizes. To do this, find the midpoint of the room’s recess, and measure width and length from that point. Then, divide your length measurement in half and multiply this number by the width.

The total will need to be calculated using 3.14 (pi). Doing this will give you the total area of the circle. To achieve the room’s exact area, simply divide your circle in half. The final number can be obtained by adding the divided circle’s number to the other area totals previously obtained.

If your Room is Rectangular or Square

These rooms represent the easiest to measure for laminate flooring. All that’s required is to measure the length and width of the room, and then multiply them to obtain its surface area.

Selection and Fitting

Unlike Karndean wood flooring which is vinyl, laminate flooring must be inspected to ensure that various packs will have grain which runs in the same direction. This will ensure that the flooring will have a unified and cohesive appearance.

Once the grain direction has been assured, it’s time to fit your flooring. This should be far more easily done now that you have all of the measurements you need. However, there are other issues that can pop up during installation that you should be aware of.

One of these is gapping, which can occur as the result of changes in temperature. While this is rare, it could affect you if the room your flooring will be laid experiences regular drops in temperature. During cold temperatures, the planks of laminate flooring can retract, causing gaps. To rectify this, it’s important to ensure that your flooring has had time to acclimatise to the temperature of the room in which it will be installed.

Another thing to watch for is chipping, which can occur due to poor methods of installation. Any installation of laminated flooring should be done using a tapping block and mallet, with no forcing of pieces.

You’ll also want to ensure that enough room has been left around skirting boards for your laminate planks to expand. Otherwise, your flooring may peak, or the boards jam up against each other.

Proper assessment of the floor area is crucial in order to ensure that no problems will be encountered during installation. This may require the eyes of a professional or a second person in order to confirm.

Linoleum and vinyl are two terms which are used interchangeably by many. But are they really the same thing? Although one is often used as a substitute for another, and they are both types of resilient flooring, they are not one and the same.

Lino and vinyl flooring both have some things in common. For one, they are both able to return to their original shape with changes in temperature. As well, they are both resistant to stains and wear. Both types of flooring are available in rolls or tile form. Finally, vinyl flooring is a deliberate and man-made product introduced in the early 1930s, where lino was actually an accidental discovery made when linseed oil formed a ‘skin’ on a paint can in the mid-1800s.

Materials and Construction

Any kind of vinyl flooring, even products like Karndean flooring are constructed by combining several materials including felt, dye, fibreglass and, of course, vinyl. Linoleum, on the other hand, is made from several natural materials which include cork floors, tree resin, linseed oil and wood. Natural pigments and limestone are also ingredients in most lino flooring.

Properties

Linoleum flooring has natural anti-static and anti-microbial properties. This makes it an ideal choice for areas like the kitchen or an office which may house electronic components like computers or tablets. Linoleum is also fire retardant and very resistant to wear.

Vinyl offers added stability due to the fact that Ethylene and chlorine are used in its construction. These two ingredients also allow vinyl to resist heat very well as well as making it waterproof. Therefore, vinyl is also a great choice for a kitchen application. But its added durability also makes it a great option for high-traffic areas.

Cleaning

Although both vinyl and linoleum are very easily cleaned, the natural components of linoleum make more careful cleaning necessary. Where more durable vinyl flooring can be cleaned with standard products, lino is sensitive to high-pH. Therefore, if you choose the latter, any detergents you use to clean it should be of a neutral pH.

Use

Because vinyl is known for its durability, it may be that this option is ideal for just about any room in your home that experiences a lot of wear. An example may be a child’s play room or dining area where the table, chairs or stools may be moved about on a regular basis. Linoleum flooring may be most ideal in areas experiencing use and wear that’s moderate or below. However, there are many brands of lino to choose from, some with more durability than others.

Choosing the right Flooring for your Home

The decision about whether to go with lino or vinyl flooring for your home depends on more than one factor. First, you will need to figure out what your rooms are being used for, and how long they will be used for that purpose. For example, a child’s playroom floor will need to last for a number of years, and through many different types of traffic and wear.

The next thing to consider is how much of an investment you wish to make. Vinyl tends to be the lower-cost option, but if you find it won’t suit your tastes in a year or two, your original investment will be higher. If you’re looking for more choice in patterns and colours, vinyl does offer a larger selection. However, colour only inhabits the top of vinyl flooring which can wear out quickly in high-traffic areas. With linoleum, the colour is present throughout its construction.

Choosing any flooring for your home should be a careful and deliberate process. Regardless of the way in which you wish to cover your floors, knowing the differences between vinyl and linoleum flooring can help you make an educated decision about which is best to purchase.

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It is incredible how the right carpeting can transform a room. Whether used as a focal point or an accent, carpeting offers both beauty and practicality. And choosing the perfect carpeting for your home can be an enjoyable process. But it’s really only the initial step of the process; once you’ve purchased carpeting for your home, you will have to decide how it will be installed.

Most companies will offer an installation service for an additional fee. And some homeowners will prefer to save money by declining professional installation and installing carpeting themselves. But is this the best idea?

Do you have the Experience?

A high-cost carpet is no easier to install than a carpet you got for a bargain. And unless you know how to properly install it, the risk you take could be a result that affects your carpeting’s look as well as it’s longevity. The proper installation of carpeting involves ensuring the right fit around room edges and doorways. Clean and even lines are the key, and there should be no spaces or gaps between carpet pieces; they should be flush with each other as well as the doorways and room edges of your home.

In addition to this, it’s important to ensure that the pile of your carpeting is all facing in the same direction in order for your carpet to look its best and appear as smooth-looking as possible.

You might also wish to consider whether or not you have the right tools for the job. Carpet installation is one task that requires the proper tools. You may be able to borrow them if you don’t own them yourself. Of course, you could also borrow a friend who has the experience if you don’t.

Do you have the Time?

Fitting your own carpeting may not seem like a daunting task when you first think about it. But carpet fitting is a time-consuming process, even when professionals do it. This is because fitting carpet is an acquired skill, as any professional will tell you. Anything worth doing, such as installing carpeting, is worth investing time into completing the right way.

Will Doing it yourself save you Money?

How much money you save having your carpet installed or having a professional install it depends on a few factors besides the ones mentioned above. For one, the cost benefit depends on whether you think you will be able to achieve even and smooth coverage with as small an amount of carpet as possible.

Another thing to think about is carpet wear. The rate at which your carpet will wear is directly related to how well it’s been fitted as a whole, as well as how well the carpet’s seams have been fitted.

The bottom line is this; a well-fitted carpet that was installed by professionals can save you just as much – or more – money over the long run as saving the installation fee to do it yourself. It just depends on how you look at it. Although a professional fitting may not produce instant savings, you will save money because your carpet will have the possibility of a longer life, which will save you the cost to purchase carpeting sooner than you need to.

It’s your Investment

Purchasing new carpets to put in your Bedford home is an investment, no matter how much you paid for them. As well, it isn’t a purchase that you will be making every day. The bottom line is to decide which method will offer you the most value for money based on your skills, time and knowledge. You may be able to reap the best of both worlds by hiring an experienced friend to help you.

Vinyl flooring is enjoying more popularity today than it ever has. Today’s laminate floors are not only durable, but also very stylish. And they are versatile; whether it’s Karndean vinyl flooring in the kitchen, or a rustic stone-look floor in the bathroom, today’s laminates certainly offer a great way to express your personal style.

However, your vinyl flooring also represents an investment; although modern floors offer much more in the way of durability and longevity than they used to, they can still sustain damage from any number of mishaps. And if you want to keep your flooring for as long as possible, knowing how to address each threat can help you get the most out of your investment.

Prevention is the first Step

When you’re busy using your rooms and moving furniture around, accidents can most certainly happen. Scuffing and tearing can quickly cause a vinyl floor to look far older than its actual age. But as they say, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’. You can prevent unsightly scuffs or tears by checking the legs of your furniture. Are the ends of furniture legs smooth? If not, they may mark your floors. However, don’t despair; rough ends can be made smooth and safe by replacing them with glides. Available in plastic, metal and glass, furniture glides offer protection for your vinyl floors as well as a touch of subtle style to furniture legs.

A Proper Wash

Regardless of the kind of vinyl flooring you’ve installed in your home, the same rule applies for all: vinyl flooring should only be occasionally washed. No abrasive cleaners should ever be used on vinyl floors, as they can cause unnecessary damage. Instead, use a mild cleaner. You can also make your own floor cleaner with 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water.

Although you may have considered purchasing floor cleaning products that add shine, these may actually dull your vinyl floors, and so are best avoided. Steaming should also be avoided, as their high temperature not only can damage the surface of flooring, but may also contribute to the loosening of adhesives.

Stains and Spills

Believe it or not, it’s important to avoid using coloured cloths when cleaning stains and spills from your vinyl floors. Some colours may bleed and be absorbed, which can also cause your flooring to look dull and older than you want it to. A white cloth is best for the job of stain and spill removal. You can also use a non-abrasive scrubbing pad to remove common stains like juice, grass and food.

For rust stains, you can treat your vinyl floors with lemon juice, which is also a great colour lightener and may work for stubborn stains. However, it’s important not to leave it on your floors for too long, lest it also lighten your floors. You can also use cream of tartar for rust stains. Products like hair dye and ink can be removed by rubbing some isopropyl alcohol on the stain.

Smudges and Scuffs

Whether your guests have left marks from their shoes or you forgot to replace the glides on furniture legs when last you moved it; there is no doubt that scuffs and smudges are not a pretty addition to your vinyl floors. Thankfully, they can be removed. But you will have to address them as soon as possible after you notice them. The best way to remove these kinds of marks on your vinyl flooring is to scrub the area with mild floor cleaner and your trusty non-abrasive scrubbing pad.

When products are used according to instructions and some time and care is taken, your vinyl flooring can be enjoyed for years to come.

If you want a new look for the rooms in your home, but are seeking something that’s a better reflection of your taste and personality, there are other options besides choosing a single unique carpet, tile or wood floor. You can change all of the floors in your home to just the way you want them, simply by thinking differently about your flooring.

Unusual Patterns with Pieces

When you think of carpeting, you might think of a single colour in a room, or an Oriental rug on top of existing carpet. But what about carpet pieces? Think of a colour scheme you might like to have in your bedroom or living room. Then, start looking for those colours. You may be able to find carpets for sale in your local Bedford newspaper. If you can get hold of high-quality carpeting in excellent shape that was removed from a home, even better.

Once you’ve gathered your ideal collection of colours, it’s time to decide on a pattern, and then decide how you’re going to cut your carpet pieces. You may find a lot of inspiration online from others who have done the same thing. Finally, you’ll lay your pieces in your desired pattern on your floor. Then, all that’s left will be for you to replace your furniture and relax and enjoy your brand new look.

If this is your first time using carpet pieces, another tip that can make things easier is to purchase carpet tiles. These smaller pieces can be much easier to measure and cut.

Unexpected Vinyl

Who says vinyl flooring is just for the kitchen or bathroom? Using vinyl flooring in a bedroom is a smart and stylish way to change things up. Today’s vinyl flooring can look like just about anything, including wood and stone. As well, modern vinyl materials are much softer and warmer underfoot than they used to be. But you don’t have to stop there; you can place a rug on top for extra flair, or even try the cutting trick mentioned above – simply choose several different colours and styles of vinyl tile, and lay them in your desired pattern.

A Meeting of the Rugs

Rug carpeting is as popular as it ever was. The good news is that there are several styles and colours to choose from. Even better is the fact that these days, anything goes as far as style. You may have several rugs throughout your home. If you don’t want the hassle or the cost of purchasing, measuring and cutting new carpeting, how about using what you already have?

You can create an eclectic air in any room by placing more than one rug on your floor. Doing this will add colour and whimsy. And, by placing a collection of beloved rugs in one room, you can create an instant feel-good space.

Section it Off

If the above tips and tricks just aren’t different enough, you can punch up the style of a room and add even more personality to it by using flooring to separate it into sections. For example, you may wish to separate your sleeping area from your dressing table. If this is the case, you can consider placing a plush carpet or rug under your bed, and smooth and shiny vinyl flooring under your dressing table. Or, reverse this combination.

Of course, there are many different flooring materials out there, and you can use any of them in any combination to transform the rooms of your home. The only limit to a flooring style that’s uniquely you is your imagination. Your home is your space, and such, you can make it as unique, lovely and impressive as you like.

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