"What are the differences between carpet fibers?"
Nylon
- extremely strong and resilient, superior to other man-made fibers, requires additives to provide
complete stain resistance, because it is otherwise partially pourous.
Polyester - permanently resists
staining, has good strength and abrasion resistance.
Olefin (also called Polypropylene)
- one of the most colorfast fibers, naturally stain resistant, performs well in tight, low-profile carpets.
Acrylic - has a tendancy to pill and fuzz, is no longer commonly used.
Wool - naturally resists general
soiling, crushing and most stains, has a soft look, rich feel, is a long-lasting luxury carpet.
Cotton - long-wearing,
used for throw and area rugs, lacks crush resistance and absorbs moisture.
Rayon - used for inexpensive area rugs,
is hard to dye and does not stand up to heavy traffic.
"Tell me about stain protection."
Stain protection is very important. A few brands have built-in protection. For example, Stainmaster, Resista and
Lee's protectors are built into the carpet fibers, allowing lengthy resistance to staining. Others, such as
Scotchguard, are topical and pulled out by cleaning methods, therefore have to be reapplied. Obviously, there is a higher
charge for carpets with built-in stain protectors, but there is a longterm savings and benefit.
"What
should I do to prepare for flooring installation?"
If you are removing the old flooring yourself, you will
need to take up as much of it as possible. In the event of carpet, you can keep the tack strip intact, as it is
usually able to be used again. Pad residue and staples are part of removal. You should also take down any valuables
from the area of installation, since banging and vibrations may cause items to fall from walls or tables.
"Will your installers move my furniture?"
Our installers will move your furniture,
but there is a charge for this service. Moving furniture often requires special equipment and a large amount of time.