Carpet is the floor covering of choice
among homeowners.While most people
appreciate its beauty and comfort, carpet
is more than just a "pretty face," as
millions of homeowners have learned
about the functional aspects of this
popular floor covering.
Advantages of Carpet
Unlike other types of flooring, carpet
is a natural insulator, providing additional
warmth in cold seasons; in warmer
weather, it also insulates against invasive
heat. Its use in a wall-to-wall application
actually increases the R-value, or
insulation level, of the carpeted area.
While the improvement may be modest,
with today's skyrocketing energy costs,
even a slight increase in R-value is
welcome.
Moreover, some carpet backings can
add to the insulation capability of carpet.
Backings like SoftBac® Platinum from
Shaw, a leading floor covering
manufacturer, enhance the carpet's
existing R-value. Construction of SoftBac
begins with the traditional open weave
fabric that is then encapsulated with a
soft fleece felt, providing another
insulation layer as well as providing extra
comfort underfoot.
Beyond its potential value in actually
reducing heating costs, carpet also
enhances the perception of comfort and
warmth. Everyone knows that it's a much
more pleasant sensation to step barefoot
out of bed on a cold morning onto carpet
than onto any other type of surface.
Carpet also reduces a home's noise
level, eliminating or muffling distracting
clatter. Carpeted rooms absorb and
contain noise, offering a greater degree
of privacy from room to room. Soft
underfoot, carpet also provides a
comfortable, non-slip walking surface that
reduces leg fatigue. Perhaps more
important, a resilient layer of carpet
minimizes the danger of injury from falls
and accidents.
Another, often overlooked advantage
of carpet is its ability to improve indoor
air quality. EPA scientists have concluded
that carpet can be beneficial in trapping
and immobilizing potential allergycausing
particulates, preventing them
from reentering the indoor air stream, if
the carpet is properly cleaned and
maintained. Similar results have been
obtained in a number of other studies
conducted in recent years.The Carpet
and Rug Institute (CRI) explains the
research: "... clean, dry,well-maintained
carpet actually improves air quality.
Carpet acts as a trap for airborne particles
grounded through natural gravity.
Professional Testing Labs (an independent
industry laboratory) studied the distribution
of airborne dust associated with
normal activities on hard and soft
flooring surfaces.Their findings showed
that walking on hard surfaces disturbed
more particles.These particles became
airborne and entered the breathing zone.
In contrast, carpeted surfaces trapped
more particles so that walking disturbed
fewer particles. Result: less dust in the
breathing zone over carpeted floors."
Of course, as with any interior
furnishing, appropriate cleaning is
required.This includes regular
vacuuming, removal of spots and spills,
and periodic overall cleaning. Shaw
recommends using the hot-water
extraction method, often referred to as
"steam cleaning," although no steam is
actually generated. Shaw's research
indicates that this method provides the
best capability for cleaning.
Carpet Value
Carpet is a remarkably durable and
practical floor covering.Technological
advances in everything from fiber to
backing enable carpet manufacturers to
offer products suitable for virtually any
residential or commercial setting "
indoors or out!
It is important to recognize that
carpet is also an exceptional value and, in
general, is significantly less expensive
than other floor coverings. Best of all,
carpet is a beautiful home furnishing that
can add elegance, comfort, and fashion to
any setting. Extremely versatile, carpet is
available in an extraordinary selection of
styles, patterns, and colors. From solid,
formal cut piles and shags to natural, loop
pile Berbers and patterned cut/loop
styles, carpet affords unlimited decorating
flexibility.
Carpet can serve as a neutral
backdrop that complements other
furnishings, or it can make a statement as
the focal point of a decor.The only truly
three-dimensional floor covering, carpet
offers textural possibilities that other hard
surfaces lack.
Value, comfort, safety, beauty ... it's
little wonder that carpet has outsold
every other floor covering for almost
fifty years.