Carpet
- nothing looks like it, feels
like it or performs like it
on your floors. Because carpet
is a key decorative element
in the home and a major purchase,
you must keep several factors
in mind during your selection.
Here we'll try to help in
giving you the impartial information
you need to make the right
choice for your home.
Remember, it's your carpet,
so you want it to be right
for you.
Location / Use
When
picking your carpet, you need to answer
the following questions about what style
of carpet is best for you: How is the
room going to be used? Will the floor
be subject to heavy or light traffic?
Will the room be the centre of activity
for family and entertaining? Is there
direct access from outside, or will the
carpet be away from entrances? Will the
carpet receive direct sunlight? |
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Where there is to be heavy traffic (usually
the living room, hallways and stairways),
choose the best carpet for the floor you
can afford. When shopping for carpet,
look for performance rating guidelines
with various brands of carpet. This rating
system offers guidance on choosing the
carpet that will perform best for various
traffic needs. Most will be based on a
five point scale, with the number 4 or
5 rating being best for the highest traffic
areas. A 2 to 3 rating is good for areas
with less traffic.
Colour
The
selection of carpet colour is a very personal
choice. You will want to select a colour
that unites your decorative elements and
creates the atmosphere you desire. Lighter
colours make the room seem larger; darker
colours provide coziness. There are also
practical considerations in colour selection.
New stain and soil resistant technology
makes today's lighter colour carpet much
easier to clean, allowing more decorating
options. Medium and darker colours, tweeds,
and textures will help disguise common
soil in your home's high traffic areas. |
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Cost
Your
budget and your needs are two key elements
in selecting carpet and rugs. There are
a wide range of choices and costs from
which to make your selection. Ask yourself
how long you expect to keep your carpet
before replacing it. A better grade of
carpet will give you a greater length
of service than one of lesser quality.
Buy the best carpet you can afford for
the heavy traffic areas of your home --
halls, stairs, family rooms. A medium
grade will provide good service in rooms
with less traffic -- bedrooms and guest
rooms.
Ask your retailer to give you a complete
cost estimate -- one that includes cushion,
installation, moving of furniture, hauling
off old flooring materials and any special
needs that you may have. Keep in mind
that a high-quality, professional installation
can extend the life of your purchase.
Read more |
