Regardless of the fact that it is the most difficult to keep clean and maintain, and does not last as long as tile, hardwood, or vinyl flooring, carpeting is still, today, the biggest selling type of floor covering for the home or office. When it comes to comfort and warmth, nothing, it seems, comes close. Aside from beach sand, most of us would probably choose carpeting as the most preferred surface in the world to walk on when barefooted.
It’s no wonder that we are willing to sacrifice money in our pockets to replace them every few years.
The list of reasons for choosing carpeting is about as long as a parade route. Carpeting, with its typically installed foam padding underneath, provides a flooring that helps emit much desired warmth on those cold days. For employees in positions that require standing during a considerable portion of the work day, carpeting greatly reduces the onset of fatigue. Carpeting reduces the sound of foot traffic to practically nil when compared to any other flooring.
Furnishings stay in place, not sliding around or becoming accidentally relocated by the mere touch of a hand. Families, especially with young children, may even choose to “throw themselves” down on the carpet instead of on furniture for relaxing, watching television, playing video games, and sometimes even a quick nap or full night’s sleep. (Solid floors are never, it seems, as inviting for doing any of that).
Pet owners would already know from experience and observation, and from clearly understand a pet’s expressions and reactions, that dogs or cats, for example, will prefer carpeting as a haven when lounging around the house; which only goes to prove that animals, while sometimes accused of being lazy, aren’t as dumb as some may think.
There is also incredible versatility in the world of carpeting.
Whether the carpet is for a child’s playroom or an entrepreneur’s place of business, there are many different styles, designs, and textures to fit every need. The World Floor Covering Association lists the “basic six” types of carpeting as “textured, Saxony or plush, frieze, cable, looped, and cut & loop”. Different kinds of carpet may have tight or thickly woven twists of wool, polyester, nylon, or other yarn.
The yarn or fiber in carpet will also range in various pile heights (the term used in the carpet industry for length or height of the yarn). Carpets are available in almost any color, combination of colors, or can be custom-ordered using the design of one’s masterful work of art.
Frequent and laborious mopping, wiping, scrubbing, or shining is never necessary with carpeting.
A vacuum cleaner is usually all that’s needed, and the possibility of shampooing it a few times a year, when that carpet has been subjected to high foot traffic on a daily basis. Shampooing machines can be rented from many local supermarkets or department stores, or one can pay a little more and hire a professional to have the carpet shampooed. Quite often, the carpet looks almost as good as new after a good shampooing.
The difference in price between carpeting and hardwood or tile flooring can be significant, with carpeting a few rooms instead of tiling them lowering one’s expense from several thousand dollars to several hundred. With all the benefits that carpeting has to offer, maybe it’s not much of a sacrifice at all of the money in our pockets.
Mira Floors and Interiors is Greater Vancouver’s premiere floor and window covering specialist for both home owners and commercial spaces. Mr. James Alisch and his team can assist in all aspects of floor installations, carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl and tile. For further information about your flooring options go to Mira Floors and Interiors