Monday, November 26, 2012

The Smartstrand Silk carpet, while being very stain resistant, is extremely soft, and will show every vacuum mark and footprint.  If this does not bother you , then go for it. 
Gulistan makes some very good carpets, and their new Stainmaster products in Luxurell fiber are outstanding.  It will show a little less footprints because the yarn is not as bright as the Silk fiber.

Good Luck,
Jim

44 comments :

Pretty Practical Spaces by Michelle said...

I am interested in PET carpet for the new home we are designing. I have hairball-hocking cats, so am excited about stain imperviousness.
I would also consider PET carpet in the bedroom; do you know if it is recommended for allergy sufferers? Otherwise my ENT says no carpet in the bedroom.
I moved to Houston recently from Lake Oswego, and I know where your store is!

Thank you,
Michelle@PrettyPracticalSpaces.com

Carpetguru said...

Michelle,

Carpet will help keep allergens out of the air, and thus could help your allergies. If you are allergic to latex, then no carpet in the bedroom.

PET in it filament and solution dyed form, is an excellent choice for your home. Some of the best are made by Bliss Carpet Mills; a division of Beaulieu Carpet Mills.

Good Luck
Jim

brijazz said...

I operate a private music school; our waiting room floor is covered with commercial-grade carpeting. During the snowy/slushy winter months, we put rubber-backed carpet runners down to provide some protection for the carpet. However (since they're rubber-backed), the runners are always sliding around... what can I do to keep the runners in place on top of the carpeting?

Hudson said...

I'm outfitting a training facility and would like to glue down about 800 sq ft of turf. I have some that was pulled out of another place. It's thin in areas and is separating from the mesh in spots. Is it worth it to try to reuse or am I going to regret it in a few months?

Anonymous said...

I will be purchasing Bigelow's Get Real II carpet for installation over a concrete slab that is on grade level. The dealer wants to use 32 oz. Jute padding. Is this the right padding for this installation?

Anonymous said...

You mentioned using a 'certified" carpet cleaner and cleaning carpets every 18-24 months. I have my carpets cleaned that often, but my licensed, bonded contractors is not aware of any certification program. Please advise what the process is for certification.

Thank you.

"Trying to be an informed consumer"

Anonymous said...

We're looking to re-carpet our family room which is over a slab foundation. We're thinking of using the memory foam carpet pad and were wondering if this will hold up as well as the 8 lb.regular foam pad. Do you know how long it has been around?
Thank you-

Silvia said...

this is a post from Australia. I have several medium priced rentals in a town in Indiana. My PM puts in cheap grade carpet about $1.50 per sq ft I think. Consequently when a tenant moves after a year or so, carpet is filthy and because its low quality cannot take a good clean. I have been in touch with a carpet shop and they have recommended Seize the Day by Lees. Its Triexta. I like the colour Nightwatch which seems to be a dark charcoal. I am told this carpet goes in top of the range rentals. I am more than happy to put in decent carpet in for tenants - 64 million $ question, is this Triexta all its cracked up to be? I have had a quote of $3.65 per sq ft fitted including padding (until end Feb). US carpet is so different to what is available in Australia, I have to say I do not like nylon because I believe it attracts dirt. So my question is with reasonable care by tenant is the above carpet the way to go as I don't want to put in new carpet with each tenancy! Would appreciate your views.

Carpetguru said...

Silvia,
Good Day from Oregon, USA.

You need to find a dealer who is not a franchise dealer, but, instead an independent retailer who carries the Aladdin Line of Smartstrand triexta carpet. Better yet locate a property management floorcovering specialist in Indiana.

You should ask for a product called "Power Play" form the Aladdin line of Mohawk carpet. This Triexta carpet is the number one property management carpet in the USA. This is because, for the price, it represents the most "bang for the buck". It is strong like nylon, but unlike nylon, will clean up like new. Triexta has proven to be the almost stain proof carpet it is advertised to be.

Your PM TEAM needs to make sure the carpet is cleaned using hot water extraction (Steam cleaning) every 18 months; even if the tenant is still living there. Waiting longer to clean the carpet voids the Mohawk warranty.

Good luck,
Jim

Robert said...

My mom has a jazzy mobility scooter and it has worn out her new carpet in only a few years. What would be the most durable carpet and pad for her to get that can take the abuse of this heavy weight scooter rolling and turning on it? Thanks Jim

Carpetguru said...

If you install a commercial loop carpet that is at least 20 ounces and is 10th gauge over a fiber pad, then your Mom's scooter will not harm the surface very much. For even better wear, direct glue the carpet to the floor with no padding.

Good Luck
Jim

Robert said...

Thank you for the quick response. The commercial carpet that you are speaking of, would this be also called Berber or level loop? Or would either be ok as long as it was at least 20oz and 10th gauge? I was reading a carpet FAQ and I also see that it also comes in 5/64 gauge which would be even more needles per inch. Would this even be more durable having the loops packed even tighter together? Also, how thick should the fiber pad be if we decide to not direct glue? On the FAQ they also mention flat rubber padding and act like it wears better than any other pad, would this be an option or is there some reason why that would not be a good idea, other than price?
Thanks again.

Carpetguru said...

Use a 40 oz fiber pad. All rubber pad or rebond pad will be too soft for this use.

Berber carpet is generally fat loops, and not suitable for your use. Stick with a commercial carpet. 5/64th is good. Use nylon, not olefin in this case. Olefin will melt under the friction of the scooter wheels.

Good Luck,
Jim

Unknown said...

We had a water heater burst and want to replace the carpet just in the one bedroom that was damaged. We will also replace the padding under the carpet.

The bedroom leads out to other carpeted rooms. What is the best approach to match it?
We need to replace carpet in the rest of the house but cannot afford it right now. We have two obig dogs and teenage kids. Can you recommend what to use now and later?
Jack

Carpetguru said...

Jack,

First determine if you are going to stay in the house for 10 years or longer. If the answer is yes, you will need to budget at least $4.00/sq ft. for carpet, pad, and labor.
I would suggest a dense frieze in a tightly twisted filament solution dyed PET or a solid color Triexta.

These fibers are as close to animal proof as can be made. These fibers will not fade, and can even be cleaned with bleach without changing the color of the carpet.

If you are planning to sell the house in the near future, you could lower the quality and figure about $3/sq ft. for all.

Good Luck,
Jim

Carpetguru said...

Go for it. Make sure they use solvent free glues.


Jim

Unknown said...

Is there a difference between Luxurell nylon and Tactesse nylon? Is one better than the other? Thank you.

Carpetguru said...

Cindy,

Luxurell nylon is marketed as being softer than Tactesse. However, I think you should make your decision based on color, feel, and construction of the carpet.

Good Luck,
Jim

Unknown said...

We installed carpeting throughout our home 1.5 years ago. The company who sold us the carpet and padding sold us 1/2" padding. We have had issues with wrinkles and ripples and the original installer re-stretched about 8 months ago. After re-stretching the seams were highly visible and the ripples quickly returned. The carpet vendor put us in contact with a repair specialist to stretch the carpet a second time. When he came out he said there were serious issues resulting from the padding being too thick and that he would not perform the work as he thought there would be continued problems with rippling and further issues at the seams and that we should go back to the vendor and have them correct their mistake. Mind you he lives an hour away and had quoted $200 to $300 to do the job, so it was not in his best interest to walk away.

We had no idea the padding was too thick, and called the carpet vendor. In speaking with the vendor, an associate said that yes the problem was that the padding was too thick and that 7/16" padding should have been used. We bought the 1/2" pad on their recommendation as we have no knowledge of what is best for the carpet. I asked that they have an inspector come look at the problem but the vendor wants to re-stretch with a different repair guy.

I am paying to have an inspector come out before anything more is done. Any recommendations or advice?



Thanks in advance.

Anonymous said...

What do you think of Puresque Carpet. I want to put it in my bedroom since I have allergies and want something safe & eco friendly. Is it durable & stain resistant. If this is not a good idea can you recommend something else.

Thank You
C

Kelly said...

We are shopping for a 12x11 carpet that we will have bound and place over part of the hardwoods in our family room. We are looking at the Resista Soft and Alluring Premiere. Are you familiar with this brand and would you recommend it?

Thanks!

Carpetguru said...

KELLY,

Resista is a polyester fiber and depending on the construction, may be just fine for your needs. The advantage of having a rug is that you can turn it 180 degrees. This means you can distribute the traffic pattern evenly.

Good Luck,
Jim

Carpetguru said...

C,

This is a name used by Beaulieu to signify the fiber is solution dyed. It has nothing to do with allergies, or the environment. Solution dyed fiber is almost impossible to stain, and will not fade.

Man made fiber is not the source of any off gassing. It is inert. The off gassing stems from the latex that is used to bind the two backings together. Each and every carpet has a certain amount of latex that is part of the carpet. The only totally latex free carpets are those that are woven. These are the old fashion wool carpets that start at about $10/ square foot for the material.

Good Luck,
Jim

Carpetguru said...

Mike Nelson,

You are smart to have a Senior Master Certified Carpet Inspector look at your problem. This will sever you well in court.
From your description, I would think that the mill failed to apply the correct amount of latex in the backing. This is happening too often these days, and the mills need to held accountable.

The fact that your pad is 1/2 inch is not the reason the carpet failed. In fact the mills will warranty for pads that do not exceed 1/2 inch. If you really measured your pad, you will find that is is most likely 15/32 nds.

We just recently had to go to bat for our customer who had a similar problem. I got the mill to replace the carpet, and pay for the labor to reinstall the new. You should expect nothing less.

If I can be of help, email me at jim@carpet-guru.com

Good Luck,
Jim

Darlene said...

Hi Jim,

I built an enclosed sunroom over an existing deck. Put plastic sheeting down then plywood. Not sure what type of padding I should put down and what is a good type of loop carpet I should use, indoor or outdoor ? I am afraid of mildew? It will also be in direct sunlight in winter for heating. Thanks for any information you can give me.
Darlene

Carpetguru said...

Darlene,
You can use a spun nylon fiber pad that is 40 ounces in weight. This will not feel squishy, but will support the carpet, and it will not mildew.

Use a commercial looped carpet made from 100% olefin or solution dyed nylon. Any other type of carpet will fade. Use at least a 1/10 gauge product with at least 24 ounces of fiber.

Good Luck,
Jim

Anonymous said...

My senior parents recently purchased Fabrica carpet. Problems with the carpet were immediately noted after its installation. Problems included random horizontal lines in the pile which resembled seams and a rustling, plastic bag like sound that could be heard in sections of the carpet when it was walked on. I observed the backing of a piece of carpet that was left over and discovered that it was quite easy to peel the secondary backing for the primary backing. Various inspections were made that were contradictory. Fabrica did not accept responsibility for the problems and would not even listen to the report that was prepared by the dealer's inspector. Our carpet dealer refunded our money. Another carpet dealer told me that they also had several problems with Fabrica. We are in the market for new carpeting. My mother likes Masland carpet. I discovered this evening that Fabrica and Masland are part of the Dixie Group. I am concerned that we could encounter the same problems with Masland. Are they two separate companies with different products or are their products the same? I would appreciate any input you may have. Could you please recommend a nylon carpet(6 or 6.6) that you like. My mother likes a dense carpet. The carpet will be installed in the living/dining (formal) room and family room. Two adults live in the house. There are steps in the house. Thank you!

Carpetguru said...

Your Fabrica carpet should have been replaced, and you are lucky the dealer refunded your money. Sometimes there are production problems with any mill, and second quality goods leave the mill without being noticed by the final inspectors.

It is very unusual for a mill that presents itself as a high end quality mill, not to stand behind their product.

Masland is another very high end mill, and my experience with them has been nothing but positive. Even though both are part of the dixie group, the managment and marketing is different for both Fabrica and Masland.

It would be extremely unlikely that you would have a problem with Masland; both in quality and after the sale warranties. However remember that each type of carpet has certain characteristics that are unique to it. For example, Masland has some very nice plush carpets, but like all push carpets, they show vacuum marks and footprints. Loop carpets will show seams, and shag carpets will crush.

Good Luck,
Jim

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much sir for your input regarding Masland carpets. I am interested in looking at additional brands. Do you have any preferences regarding brands? We are interested in a nylon BCF. What are your thoughts on soft nylons? Do they hold up? Your website advised selecting a well constructed one. What defines a well constructed soft nylon? As far as the soft nylons go, Tactese or Luxerell? Should we invest in a 10lb. pad by Oasis? How much should a pad of this kind cost? Thanks again!

Carpetguru said...

Look for Milliken brand at a true frieze Stainmaster nylon called Empire Suite or one call Crown suite premier. These carpets are made 13 ft 6 inches wide and are EXTREMELY durable. These will also hide more footprints and vacuum marks than many carpets.

Unless you are going to be in the home for over fifteen years, it is not necessary to use a pad firmer than 8 lb memory foam rebond. Before I would use a ten pound pad, I would use a 90 ounce slab rubber pad from Liggett & Platt.

Good Luck
Jim

Anonymous said...

My Oriental Rug "creeps" on my carpeting now that it has been professionally cleaned. How can I get it to stay in place when walked on?
Thanks!

Carpetguru said...

If your rug is placed on top of another wall to wall carpet, then there is nothing you can do.
If the rug is on a hardwood floor then you need to purchase a non skid pad to place under it.

Check out your area rug dealers for this type of pad. They will have it in stock.

Good Luck,
Jim

Carpetguru said...

Look for a dealer that carries DreamWeaver carpets. They have a style called Twilight that will meet all your criteria.

Good Luck,
Jim

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Jai said...

I'm looking into purchasing Smartstrand frieze. Lowes has a Smartstrand frieze named "Pender". Can you tell me what Mohawk's name is for this carpet?

Thanks.

Unknown said...

I recently had all new carpet installed in our 3000 sqft ranch. The carpet has high and low spots I'm assuming were the pad was stapled to sub floor. I was in the house when the pad was installed and i guess I assumed that the installer knew what he was doing. The pad had quite a few seems and all the edges were staple down almost flat and seems where not taped. When you walk across floor you can feel all variations. We opted for the most expensive pad, is this an installation issue?

Carpetguru said...

Mike,

Most carpet pad is six feet wide, and therefore there will be many seams in the padding. It is standard to staple this pad to the floor, especially at the seams.

If the pad is over 1/2 inch thick, it should not have been used. If the carpet was extremely thin i.e. commercial loops, then the pad should have been taped at the seams.

I would be very curious as to the type of carpet that you had installed. It the carpet was woven and not tufted, then the pad should have been very dense and closer to 3/8 in thickness.

Hope this helps,

Jim

Robert said...

Jim,

Thanks for you help. We have been dragging out feet, but we are about ready to buy the commercial carpet for my mom's jazzy. I have one more question. Why do you say to use solvent free glue? Is there a benefit to this other than the odor? Do you think I will have a hard time getting a big box store to make sure this happens when one of their random installation contractors show up?

Thanks again.
Robert

Carpetguru said...

Robert,
Solvent free glue is a little more expensive, but it is the glue that should be available to all carpet installers. Insist on its use in your contract with HD.

Good Luck,
Jim

Anonymous said...

hello carpet guru,
I am looking for a carpet similar to fabrica for colors and designs. Can you recommend another brand that is contemporary and has a nice variety but at least 1/4-1/2 the price?

Carpetguru said...

Diane,
Fabrica's parent company is Dixie. They also own Masland, and a less expensive line called "Dixie Home". You will NOT find these items in big box stores, but usually only shown by decorators and high end carpet stores.
Shaw's Martha Stewart collection used to have some unusual colors. Check it our at a Shaw specialty dealer.

Good Luck,
Jim

Anonymous said...

Thank you. I came back today to find your reply only to discover that I narrowed my choice down to dixie home. Carpet guru, you are the BEST! thank you. My final choice is Dixie Home with Stainmaster TruSoft fiber. I'm thinking of going with a 10 lb pad. Is there a particular pad brand or material content you recommend? -my husband has back problems so the pad can't be too soft to cause "wobbling" when walking on it.

Carpetguru said...

You may use Shaw's triple touch froth foam green, or Healthier Choice Green. Both of these will last the life of two carpets, and will have a firm feel underfoot.

Good Luck,
Jim

carpet remnants said...

Thanks for your input on padding. I didn't realize padding should be taped with thinner carpets. Also good input on solvent glues.