Nylon Rugs: Not Your Grandmother?s Nylons

Considering getting a nylon carpet installed? Nice choice! When we think of nylon, we often think of pantyhose that run easily. But when it comes to carpet, you?ll be glad to know that nylon is the strongest of all types of carpet pile. It?s marked by excellent resistance to abrasive materials, insects, mold, rot, and most chemicals. This is a large part of why nylon is today?s most commonly used carpet fiber. Read on to find out everything else you need to know before going nylon.

Nylon is typically more expensive than other synthetic carpets. But consider those nice nylon fibers an investment ? nylon carpeting is widely considered the most resilient carpet, and should last you for twelve to fifteen years. Its fibers should also maintain their original height and shape. Yes, you can drag heavy furniture across it to your heart?s content ? nylon carpet fibers will bounce back totheir good-as-new look almostimmediately.

Nylon rugs are also stain-resistant, and great at hiding soil. Select branded, premium varieties can be made to resist even pet stains! Consider nylon an excellent choice for high-traffic living areas (think living rooms, play rooms, and dens), and commercial facilities. Plus, it?s versatile ? you can create almost any look you desire with nylon. Think sleek offices, fashion-forward entertaining areas, plush boudoirs, and/or low-maintenance basements. (Glean some more nylon carpeting inspiration over at Houzz.com.

What?s more, nylon carpet piles have a reputation for holding their color remarkably well. Nylon is also static-free (unlike its primitive forms; i.e. your grandmother?s nylons). Technically speaking, nylon retains the same crimp and twist the manufacturer gave it. And cleaning is easy ? because nylon absorbs very little water, it dries quickly. It also responds well to almost all professional cleaning methods and treatments. And, it provides no food source. Yes, it makes for a blessedly inhospitable habitat for mildew. Phew!

And, now for the cons: Nylon fibers are almost always acid-dyed, and rarely solution-dyed. This means they can be prone to bleaching, fading, or absorbing urine. As we mentioned, nylon carpeting is not the cheapest option. While it?s not quite as expensive as wool carpeting, nylon carpeting will run you more than polyester or polypropylene options. But if you?re looking for value and have your heart set on nylon carpeting, consider unbranded nylons. And, know that most manufacturers offer wear guaranties.

Outdoor Carpets in the Coastal Carolinas

One of the many joys of living in a coastal area like southeastern North Carolina, isenjoying mild weather almost year-round. To maximize livable space in their homes, lots ofCarolinians create second living rooms outdoors, or on their porches, that featureeverything from sectional sofas to flat screen televisions to full kitchens. Outdoor carpets can be used to tie these ?rooms? together, or to provide a comfortable walking surface instead of concrete or wood.

But, because Wilmington, NC? along with our neighboring beach communities? sees a lot of sun, a lot of rain, and a lot of sand, there are specific considerations to keep in mind when searching for the perfect outdoor rug:

Weather: While bright sunny days areperfect for working on your summer tan, they?re not great for all outdoor carpets. If the rug will be entirely outdoors with no cover, then carpet experts recommend polypropylene because not only maintains both the color and integrity of the carpet, it also wicks moisture to prevent mildew. Likewise, man-made materials such asnylon and polyester are usually mold resistant, and last longer outside than natural materials like bamboo and jute when exposed to high humidity and persistent afternoon showers.

Durability: In beach communities like Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Southport, NC, outdoor carpets also need to withstand salt and sand which gettrapped in the fibers. For outdoor carpets, short carpet piles are best. Long carpet piles tend to harborsand and debris which can warp and stain the carpet over time. Though outdoor carpets do not last as long as indoor carpets, you still want to select a durable outdoor rugthat will last through many summer barbecues and Monday night football games in front of the outdoor television.

Placement: Placement probably matters the most when considering which outdoor carpet to purchase. If a carpet has some cover from sunlight, such as a porch or pergola, then you can choose from a wider range ofmaterial and color options. Indoor rugs can even be used in covered outdoorspaces, though they are lessdurable then outdoor rugs, especially in coastal climates like ours. Additionally, the angle of carpet placement affects its longevity. Placing an outdoor carpet on a slight slope allows water and moisture to drain and prevents mold and mildew from growing between the fibers.

Installing carpet on a stairway can be difficult, but with the information provided in this short video, you can get a good idea of the basic steps to install carpet on a stairway. First, you need to install the carpet one step at a time, and not all at once. Otherwise, it will come undone in about a year. You need to measure the width of the top of the stair and the width of the base all the way to the top of the padding. Then you cut out your piece of carpet. You lay it over the stair and it should be a little big because you will be tucking it into the carpet on the next step. Watch part two in the series for more information.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4426084_install-carpet-stairs-part-1.html

Curious about the beauty of Berber carpets? In Morocco, Algeria, Libya, and Tunisia, Berber carpets and rugs have decorated the floors of oases and homes ever since the Paleolithic era. Here, we?ve compiled everything you need to know about this carpeting, named after its original users?the Berber tribe of North Africa?s Barbary Coast whose members spun cloth and rugs from various natural fibers.

First of all, it?s crucial to understand that Berber refers to a type of carpet weave, rather than a type of carpet itself. In fact, Berber carpeting comes in many different carpet fiber types: nylon, wool, polyester, polyprophylene (Olefin), and more. Atrademark loop construction creates theclassic, woven and knotted look distinct to traditionally woven Berber carpets. As a customer, you have plenty of options when it comes to the size and arrangement of those loops?Berber carpeting comes in a wide variety. Berber rugs typically contain small flecks of dark hues against lighter background colors, which results in a natural and traditional look. Check out some great styles on Houzz.

These days, Berber rugs come in a wide array of color mixes, and are relatively cheap and durable. This makes them a popular choice for areas with significant traffic and wear, such as offices. Besides their resiliency and relatively low cost, Berber carpets arefairly easy to clean. Why is this? Because of its looped construction, spills tend to sit on top of the carpet pile. Which means that as long as you clean up right away, you?ll be able to prevent spills from sinking deep into the fibers. And, in the event that you get to it late, Berber?s traditional flecked and multicolored look is ideal for hiding soil and spills!

While ?Berber? has become synonymous with loops, not all Berber carpets have loops. ?Cut Berber,? also known as ?California Berber,? is indeed loop-less. Some varieties of Berber rugs are made with loops as well as cut-loops. They?re thus known as ?Cut and Loop? Berber rugs. Those styles featuring a repeating pattern are known as ?Patterned Cut and Loop? Berber carpeting. Such options tend to be costly, but quite elegant and beautiful.

Typically, Berber is priced byknots per square meter. Tunisian Berber is known as one of the best?and knottiest?varieties of Berber carpet on the market. These stunningly detailed rugs are made from wool, camel hair, silk, and more. (In fact, highest-quality silk berber carpets boast up to 250,000 knots per square meter!)

One disadvantage of Berber carpet is its susceptibility to snagging and/or running. Because of its loop construction, you?ll want to avoid dragging furniture or, say, letting a toddler drive a Big Wheels across Berber carpeting. You may also want to consider how Berber carpet and your pet?s claws will interact. You?ll want to clip Kitty?s and Fido?s nails (and make sure Kitty has other places to scratch, too). Another drawback is that, depending on its fibers, Berber isn?t quite as soft underfoot as a cut pile carpet.

The Dating Game: Carpet Fiber Edition

First up, it?s the most popular carpet fiber by a landslide. This one will keep you soil and mildew free all year long. Give it up for nylon!

Next, this up-and-comer is one of the fastest growing carpet fibers of the last few years. Don?t let its history as outdoor carpeting fool you ? it?s great for indoor carpet, too. Give it up for polypropylene!

Third, this fiber is hypoallergenic, making it perfect for all types of homes. It also has a variety of color options sure to satisfy any decor. Please welcomepolyester!

Finally, this fiber is the height of luxury. After one run of your hand through the soft, warm fibers, you?ll be hooked ? even if the price is a little steep. Give it up for wool!

Now that we?ve seen all the contestants, let?s ask the lucky four a few questions to see if they?re the right fit for you.

Question one: How do you feel about crowds?

NYLON: I love crowds! I?m great in heavy traffic areas, so the more the merrier! I am prone to static, but most nylon is treated to make it static-resistant.

POLYPROPYLENE: I prefer small, intimate gatherings, since my low melting point causes carpet fibers to melt together in high traffic areas. I?m very durable in low traffic areas, though!

POLYESTER: While I won?t melt like some other fibers here, I am susceptible to crushing if in a crowded area. If that happens, loose yarn can fuse together and decrease comfort.

WOOL: People love spending time with me because I?m so luxurious and soft! I?m better suited for rugs rather than carpet, but will hold up well in high traffic areas.

Thanks contestants!

Question two: Would you enjoy a room with lots of sunlight?

NYLON: I prefer rooms that don?t receive direct sunlight, as my colors will fade when exposed to sun. I?m resistant to many things, but sunlight isn?t one of them.

POLYPROPYLENE: Because my colored dye is infused during fiber creation rather than afterward, I am extremely sunlight resistant. With my history as outdoor carpeting, I?ll keep the colors bright, even in direct sun.

POLYESTER: I am fade resistant, so bring on the sun! My color will last for years without experiencing sun damage.

WOOL: I?m not the biggest fan of the sun, since I?m not sunlight resistant. I?d prefer to be out of direct sunlight, and in a cool, dry area to prevent mold and mildew, too.

Final question: Would you be compatible with a home that has children or homeowners prone to spills?

NYLON: Of course! I am extremely stain resistant, so I?m prepared for any accidental spill!

POLYPROPYLENE: I?m also great against stains, though oil-based stains need to be cleaned immediately.

POLYESTER: Stains are no problem, but I do pill and shred. This may be an issue with animals or children who?d pull the fibers loose.

WOOL: I?m naturally stain resistant, but I do require regular maintenance to retain my integrity. Also, I?m prone to bald spots and loose fibers, so like polyester, I may be an issue for animals and children.