Carpet & Flooring Selection Guide
There are numerous options to consider when selecting new flooring! You should consider how the room will be used, color and cost. Sure, a lot of it depends on your personal preference and color options, but in order for you to make the best choice there are a few considerations to make and with a little knowledge in flooring you can make the most educated decision for yourself.
On A Roll Carpet & Flooring is Colorado Springs' authorized dealer for Shaw Carpet and Beaulieu of America. We purchase carpet mill direct from nationally recognized companies and pass on our savings to you!
Carpet Sales Mill Direct- Carpet Installation in Colorado Springs, CO. We purchase our carpet mill direct and have carpet in-stock for sale! We ship carpet mill direct to Colorado Springs from Shaw Carpet, carpet mills overstock carpet, discontinued carpet and and even On A Roll Carpet and Flooring's private label carpet that gives you the most affordable carpet prices in Colorado Springs.
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Carpet and Carpet Pad
Carpet comes in a wide selection of options from color to cut pile tufts, loops or a combination of both. Carpet covers nearly 70% of floors in US homes and businesses. The fiber composition, color techniques, and how the carpet is cut well are key components to how the carpet is made, how well it performs and its appearance. Considerations as to where the carpet will be installed, traffic levels, stain resistance and maintenance should be taken to select the best carpeting for your lifestyle.
Carpet Styles
Carpet is usually made of fiber loops that can be left "as-is," cut, or combined loop and pile. Cut Pile Cut pile carpeting tends to be more durable and is a good choice for carpeting in basements as it is easier to extract water from, should the need arise.
Frieze
Frieze, pronounced 'fréz or fre-'zá, has long twisted fibers that have been referred to as the modern-day shag and has become increasingly popular! Frieze’s casual look comes from a series of a pile surface of uncut loops or patterned and uncut loops that comes in solid or speckled fibers and installs seamlessly. With a high turn to twist ratio, Frieze carpet performs well and is very durable making it an excellent choice for family rooms and high traffic areas like hallways and stairs. However, it’s long tight fibers tends to disperse and hide whatever may fall upon it so keeping it clean will require a vacuum with a lot of suction power.
Saxony
Saxony is a traditional is a beautiful and luxurious carpet with plush cut-pile fibers stand straight up and are evenly cut that works well in formal living areas. However, its nap or pile shading will show footprints and vacuum tracks, and can develop pooling, areas that appear shaded because the normal direction of the carpet fibers has been reversed.
Berber Carpet
Berber carpeting, is made from continuous fiber loops and is flat and dense. It can have a level loop, cut-and-loop or multi-level loop design. Berber carpet is extremely durable, doesn't show tracks, and resists stain and soil making it a perfect selection for high-traffic areas, or places frequented by kids.
Carpet squares
Carpet squares or carpet tiles are often used in commercial carpet applications or basements as the sectioned pieces of carpet can be easily replaced as needed.
Carpet Fibers
Most all of carpet is made of synthetic fiber, which is either composed of nylon, polyester, acrylic or olefin and all carpeting is made basically the same way by extruding the fibers into yarn and sewing it into a backing. Wool, cotton, jute and sisal are organic fibers used in natural carpet and are more likely used in rugs as opposed to wall-to-wall carpeting.
Nylon
Nylon is known as the best all around carpet and is utilized in approximately 65% of all carpet sold in the US, is highly durable and but has the highest price point for synthetic carpet and a matte finish. Nylon is a very strong synthetic fiber that is highly resistant to high traffic and has longevity that outlasts other synthetic carpets. Nylon carpet is also moisture resistant and fairly static-free. However, carpet fibers should have a stain resistant coating to protect it from soil and liquids to protect your nylon carpeting.
Polyester
Polyester (PET) offers soft carpeting that has a high luster and vibrant hues of color. Polyester carpeting has increasingly become more resilient to traffic and is cost effective. Polyester can often be an eco-friendly option as the fibers often come from recycled plastic.
Triexta
Triexta carpet was introduced by DuPont in 2009 and has the same general chemical composition of polyester. It lacks polyester’s luster and has more of a matte finish but is derived from an environmentally friendly corn-based biotechnology and could benefit those with asthma and allergies.
Olefin or Polypropylene
Olefin or Polypropylene carpet are synthetic fibers specifically developed with a low melting point with a latex backing and is most affordable. Most Olefin has become less available and the backing must be removed to recycle it.
Carpet Fiber Twist
Carpet Fiber Weight
Staple v. BCF
Staple yarns are yarns that are produced in short lengths and spun and twisted together to form long threads of yarn and may pile (fuzz) and bulked continuous filament (BCF) or fiber that is manufactured in one long string. Continuous filament fibers do not shed loose filaments following carpet installation, however, it will not snag like a sweater and pull out of place. Nylon is produced in both staple and BCF yarn, Olefin is available in BCF, Polyester is manufactured only in staple.
Carpet Color
Carpet color can either be solution dyed or topically died. Solution dyed carpet goes entirely through the carpet fiber because it receives its color pigmentation while the polymer fibers are produced giving them color throughout and are also fade and stain resistant, and impervious to bleach and other fluids. Topically died carpet takes pre-made fibers and adds the color to the surface postproduction. Clearly, solution dyed carpet will withstand the damages from sun, stains and bleach better than carpet that is colored only on its surface.
Carpet Pad
Carpet pad can make a huge difference in how your carpet feels and performs. Carpet Pad in basements that have high moisture is not recommended unless a moisture barrier or dehumidifier is in place to prevent mold and mildew. The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends a 7/16-inch (11-millimeter) padding with 6 pounds (2.7 kilograms) of density per cubic feet to support cut pile or cut loop carpeting. For Berber or thin loop rugs, look for a 3/8-inch (9.5-millimeter) pad or thinner, with 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) of density per cubic foot.
Carpet Installation
Last but now least it carpet installation. In fact, the quality of your carpet's installation is just as important as the quality of the carpet itself. The most common carpet complaints aren't for manufacturing defects, but are from improper installation. Poor carpet installation can leave you with obvious seams, lumps, bumps and wrinkles. You may even have to pay to have your carpeting re-stretched. Most carpet dealers use subcontractors so make sure they warranty their carpet installation.