Carpets are a major component and expense in a home and a primary floor treatment. The lush piles are a welcoming treat on colder days and by their very nature they are soft and soothing to your feet. Carpets come in shag, sculptures and low cut pile. About the only rooms that don’t see carpet is the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room. Rugs are just small area carpets, though the weave differs.
Nylon Carpet Pros & Cons
Nylon is the strongest and most durable carpet. It resists abrasion, insects, molds, rot and mildew and many chemicals. It is static free and is easy to maintain and dye. Another plus to nylon is that it maintains fiber height without crushing and is resistant to soiling or staining.
Olefin or Polypropylene Carpet Advantages & Disadvantages
Olefin or Polypropylene has the corner on commercial carpet installations at about 80%. Colorfast, resists abrasion (primary cause of wear) and is mildew and moisture resistant. It is very easy to clean and is suitable for high traffic areas. It is even sometimes used as an artificial turf. Only downside is that it is prone to matting, crushing and general scuffs, but this is dependent on the cut of the pile.
Polyester Carpet Benefits & Issues
Polyester matts, not holding it fiber height as well as the alternatives. Feels luxurious, is durable to abrasions, resistant to water soluble stains and easy to clean. Low pile cuts are more resistant to matting. Only problem is it can fade if exposed to the sun.
What is P.E.T. Polyester Carpet
Polyethylene terephthalate polyester carpet has bright colors and is available in many cuts and textures. Resists stains better than nylon and is as resistant to mold and mildew. Its primary positive characteristic is that it is non-allergenic. Made from recycled bottle caps. It is inexpensive. Being made of plastic you may want to try it in a smaller room to see if you really like it.
Wool & Acrylic Carpet
Wool is the only purely natural fiber in today’s carpets. Luxurious, stain resistant and abrasion resistant. It
has the most comfortable feel and maintains fiber height. Hides soiling better than other fibers due to it being opaque in comparison to the translucent synthetic fibers. It is the choice of opulence and luxury. It has special maintenance needs, fades if exposed to the sun, low stain resistance and chemical resistance. It attracts moths, beetles and insects since being natural it is an insect smorgasbord. Acrylic, sometimes referred to as the ‘man made wool’ provides the look and feel at just a fraction of the cost of wool.
Dirty Carpet & Respiratory Problems
With its under laying pad carpets are a popular choice for floors. But being a fiber weave dirt can penetrate carpets going clear through the carpet and onto the floor accumulating under the carpet. Along with dust mites and other denizens of the carpet jungle it can become hyper-allergenic causing misery for allergy suffers. Most people are put off by dust mites but without them we would suffer disease. They devour all the hair and dander missed by the vacuum, and without them we would be buried in our and our pets sloughed off skin and hair. But in large numbers they can be breathed in and cause allergy symptoms. Other insects are neither as benign. They are destructive and where there is prey there are predators, spiders, scorpions and others. Mold and mildew are not only destructive of carpets but present a significant health hazard, along with the dirt, pollen and other airborne pathogens. Bacteria and viruses can live in those fibers as well.
Carpet Cleaning, Stain & Odor Removal & More in Missouri City, Stafford, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond / Rosenberg & Greater Houston, Texas
Given the above it is obvious that carpets need to be cleaned occasionally, even regularly depending on your environment. Here in Houston, TX our environment is dirty with polluted air and when the wind blows, the dust moves, usually indoors. Call Harris Carpet & Floors and see about cleaning those carpets, for yourself and your family. Contact us to schedule your next appointment today.
