Thursday, November 29, 2012

Nylon vs Polyester Carpet


Nylon vs. polyester carpetWhen shopping for carpet, a lot of people naturally focus on carpet fiber and often assume that nylon is always better than polyester. However, carpet fiber is only one of the factors that you need to consider. Equally important are carpet construction factors like density, filament type and twist level. All of these elements together determine how a carpet will perform and what it will cost. When shopping for carpet, it helps to have a general understanding of these factors in order to make the best decision. In this week’s post, we’ll look the difference between fibers and next week we’ll talk about carpet construction.



Carpet Fiber: Carpet’s Basic Ingredient


The four basic fibers used in carpet today are nylon, polypropylene (Olefin), polyester and wool. Since synthetic fibers make up 99% of the fiber in the US carpet industry, we’ll focus on them. Each type of fiber has its strengths and weaknesses which determine how it can be used and constructed. Keep in mind there is no perfect fiber and carpet is a fabric that is subjected to incredible abuse – foot traffic, accidental spills and environmental contaminants.



Nylon


Durable, Resilient & Versatile


Nylon is more expensive than other synthetic carpet fibers and is the most commonly used carpet fiber today. Nylon is the most versatile of all fibers, providing flexibility in creating a variety of carpet styles – from sumptuous plush to fashion-forward patterns to low-maintenance loop (Berber). Its strengths include good resiliency, good yarn memory to hold twist, good stain resistance with stain treatment applied, good soil hiding ability, and good abrasion resistance. It is the strongest fiber, making it an excellent choice for heavy traffic areas, active households or commercial facilities.

Be aware that there can be considerable cost differences even between two similar-looking nylon products. Nylon, for example, may be branded or unbranded and, as we mentioned, carpet construction greatly influences value, price and performance. You really can’t judge a carpet by appearance or fiber weight alone. As an example, Shaw’s Anso nylon is a branded, premium nylon and comes with some of the strongest warranties in the industry, including Lifetime Stain and Soil Resistance (even pet urine stains!). Anso nylon carpets cost more, but you’re getting a premium nylon with excellent construction properties and the warranties reflect this. What you care about is that your carpet will look newer longer.

If you are looking for value goods, unbranded nylons offer a considerable benefit for the money. These products may have fewer features and less robust warranties, but you’ll still get the inherent benefits of nylon (durability and resiliency) at a lower price.



Polypropylene (Olefin)


Color Fast, Naturally Stain Resistant, Economical


Olefin is one of the most colorfast fibers on the market. Unlike the other fiber types, polypropylene will not absorb water and must be solution dyed to impart color. Solution dyeing is a pigmentation process in which color is actually built into the fiber when it is formed, thereby becoming an inherent part of the fiber. The color will not fade, even when exposed to intense sunlight, bleaches, or other harsh chemicals. However, since it is not as resilient as other fibers, polypropylene is better suited to low-profile loop (Berber) carpets in which there is less need for superior resiliency. The one exception to this is a type of olefin called "Comfortouch" by Shaw. This new fiber is softer to the feel because it is scoured three times during production. Then the fiber is treated with Shaw’s R2X, a patented Stain and Soil inhibitor for enhanced protection against spills and tracked-in dirt. The result is a fiber that feels like cotton, resists soil and stains, and wears better than other olefin carpet.

Olefin carpets work well anywhere you need fade and stain resistance – in rooms with strong sunlight, indoor/outdoor rooms, kitchens, children’s bedrooms & playrooms, and basements.



Polyester


Exceptionally Stain & Fade-Resistant, Soft, & Budget-Friendly


If you need stain-resistance, this is your carpet! Just to give you an example, we know a customer who spilled hair dye on her 6 month old polyester carpet. Although hair dye is on the list of stains that are NOT warranted, this customer got the stain out with laundry detergent and water. Now that’s impressive!

While not as inherently resilient as nylon, polyester carpets will perform well if constructed well. So choose a polyester carpet with a higher pile and medium-high density to ensure maximum appearance retention and long-term wear. You can also refer to the durability ratings on the back of carpet samples to help you assess how a carpet will stand up to traffic.

If you’ve never considered polyester carpeting before, you might want to look at Shaw’s New ClearTouch carpets which are made of a new type of polyester called PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). This new polyester "ups the ante" in terms of performance. ClearTouch carpets feature:

  • exceptional softness
  • natural and permanent stain resistance, including pet urine stains
  • improved strength and better abrasion resistance
  • excellent appearance retention and long-term wear
  • 25% recycled content from recycled soda and water bottles

The new PET polyester carpets pack in a lot of performance for the money! They are a great choice for children’s bedrooms & playrooms as well as for people who don’t want to put a lot money into their carpet. We highly recommend you choose a PET polyester with a higher pile and medium-high density to ensure maximum appearance retention and long-term wear.

Key Takeaway: The type of carpet fiber you want really depends on your priorities and needs. A family room and hallway in an active household may require a better-grade nylon carpet. Some people simply like the peace of mind that nylon’s strong warranties provide. Rooms that are not frequently used may not need a high-performance nylon. For folks on a budget, a tightly twisted, medium dense PET polyester carpet that is multicolored to help hide traffic and soil may be all that you need. As with any large purchase, do your homework, read your warranties and be sure to communicate your needs and wants to your decorating consultant so that he or she can help you make the best choice for your home and family.

Article from: Pucher's Design Centers

Friday, November 16, 2012

An Interior Design Rule You Should Break

The era of the matching bedroom or dining sets is long gone, but many people are still afraid to mix wood finishes in a single room. Don't be.

Varying wood tones create a layered look. But before you start mixing things up, first consider your floor, the background against which all other wood tones will be set. Darker toned furniture can provide a sense of groundedness to light maple floors in a vast urban loft. If your mid-century modern coffee table disappears into medium-toned oak floors, create a canvas for the table with a light-colored rug. Limit your wood-mixing to two or three tones to start, and try to balance them throughout the space for a harmonious look.
Source

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Displaying Family Photos

I'm working on a wall of family photos and looking for ideas. Below are some that I came across. I'm leaning toward constructing a large framed cork board (about 4'w x 7'h)  and randomly placing lots of snapshots inside. I like the messiness of photos looking like they were tacked to the wall. Putting them in a frame will help me feel organized.
Shelterness


Shelterness

This is an antique photo collections, but what a great idea for posting family photos--Dedicate a whole wall to snapshots. I think it keeps it interesting to post all different sizes of photos-some framed and some not. The hardwood floors in this photo look to be some kind of a bamboo. It's hard to tell because just a small portion of the hardwood floor is showing. But if I were to guess I would say it's a stranded bamboo product.
Source
This is technically a mood board, but I like the idea for family photos. By the way, the hardwood floors in this photo look like the  hardwood floors in my house. I don't know for sure what the brand of this hardwood is. It looks like it could be Du Chateau, Old World Provenza or Garrison.
Source

Source

div>

To see more about this subject and for totally cool ideas read here:

Monday, November 12, 2012

Pumpkin Pie Orange


Take a look at this article Pumpkin Pie Orange from Houzz. Scrumptious shades of orange looking good in these rooms.


Notice the hardwood floors and the sisal area rug. Simas carries the Masland line of Sisal rugs that can be custom made into the perfect shape for your room.

A pattern carpet in a room takes it up a notch in style. This large diamond pattern looks to be a combination of cut and loop yarn. The Simas showroom is full of patterned carpets in Masland, Fabrica, Tuftex, Portico, Karastan and more.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Installing Hardwood Floors

The blog entry that I linked below from The Inspired Room is a good one to read if you are considering installing hardwood floors in your home. Melissa, from The Inspired Room, did her research, went to a locally-owned store, selected a high quality product that is moderately priced, asked a lot of questions and was happy with the outcome of the installation of new hardwood floors. She selected a Mohawk Hickory Hardwood.

Installing new hardwood floors may seem overwhelming. When you buy your hardwood floors and installation through Simas Floor and Design Company, we take the hassle out of it for you. If you have any questions about installing hardwood flooring or about the different brands, styles, and colors that we carry, just give me a call or email me. I'll be happy to speak with you or answer any questions on-line.

Have a look at this article:

http://theinspiredroom.net/2012/11/09/remodeling-new-mohawk-hickory-wood-floors/



At Simas Floor and Design Company, we carry the Mohawk line of hardwood. The product selected here is a Natural Hickory Hardwood. Stop by our showroom in Sacramento to see our vast selection of hardwood flooring



Leaving the job to a professional of prepping for and installing hardwood company makes all the difference to your peace of mind and the quality of work. Simas Floor and Design Company employs top-notch hardwood installers with years and years of experience.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Infatuated with Blue

Today I'm thinking about the color blue--blue curtains or a blue couch for my house. Or maybe an area rug.






Monday, November 5, 2012

Hardwood Floors and Area Rugs

I thought you might like to see these drawing room photos from an article I read on Houzz. Hardwood floors are an excellent back drop for any style. Take a look and see that some of these hardwoods are hand-scraped, some have narrow planks and others have wide planks. You'll see traditional colors and finishes and others that are contemporary with an oil-rubbed finished. Hardwood floors add beauty and quality to your home and set an ideal background for any design.




me'>Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home

To read more about drawing rooms go here:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4944464/list/8-Victorian-Drawing-Rooms-for-Modern-Living

Friday, November 2, 2012

Designing Small Gardens


 I've been looking around for ideas on gardening in small spaces. The photos below are what I found from Sunset Magazine and Habitually Chic Blogspot. It's such a beautiful day, I would love to leave my office to go home and work in the garden right now. But I digress......
As a flooring person, I always notice what's on the ground. Take a look at the garden  floors: colored concrete, brick, small rocks with stepping stones, hardwood and tile. A garden space like one of these can be a relaxing getaway from the outside world.


















 

 

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Oil-Rubbed Hardwoods, Provenza

Lately, I'm loving the new oil-rubbed hardwoods. These photos are of the Provenza Hardwood line which we carry in our showroom. You can't put these hardwood in a cateogory and leave them there. These looks go in room ranging from contemporary to traditional.