From Low to High - What You Can Expect to Pay for Berber Carpet

Berber carpet is one of the most ubiquitous flooring materials found in the United States. It graces almost every office space, and a large majority of residential homes. There are a number of Berber carpet types that range in price depending on what they are designed and manufactured to do. Here is a quick rundown on them:

The material

By far, the primary determinant of what a Berber carpet will cost is the material it is made from. On the low end of the cost scale is Berber carpet made from the highly durable synthetic fiber, olefin. It is used primarily in commercial applications because of its strength, stain and light resistance, colorfastness, and its ability to withstand both crushing and abrasion from heavy use.

Second on the cost scale is polyester. While not as resistant to crushing (pile flattening), it offers the best resistance to staining. These facts make it ideal for use in high traffic areas of residential homes.

Third on the list – and the most expensive synthetic fiber – is nylon. It is still quite resilient but also offers an enhanced “under foot” feel. It is used extensively in dens and bedrooms.

The most expensive materials used to manufacture Berber carpets are the natural fibers: wool and cotton. All hand woven Berbers (as well as some mass-produced ones), which uses one of these natural materials makes them quite expensive.

The construction

There are two main types of construction when it comes to Berber carpets – looped pile and cut pile. All carpets are manufactured the same way - loops are created and then pushed through the backing material. Some are left as is – looped carpets – and some are sheared across the top to create what is known as “cut pile” carpet. The latter is marginally more expensive because of this extra step, but has become the most popular style of carpet in the U.S.

For more specifics on Berber carpets and their costs, please contact us at Great Western Flooring. We can be found online at www.greatwesternflooring.com

or you can give us a call at 630-357-3331.

The Wide - and Wild! - World of Berber Carpet Styles

For centuries, handwoven Berber carpets have graced the halls and other rooms of the just and high-and-mighty. These days, things have changed and Berber carpeting is found in almost every home in America. There are many reasons for this development, but the most notable is the wide variety of Berber carpet styles. Here is a quick rundown on what is available.

Simple looped Berber – A very affordable flooring option that can be used in a variety of spaces, simple looped Berber should only be considered for low traffic areas like bedrooms and libraries. Always a durable product, it often deforms in high traffic areas like hallways and family rooms. Consider using wool Berber for these applications as it has the nicest “under foot” feel.

Pattern looped Berber – As the name implies, this Berber carpet has a pattern incorporated into the design. It is suitable for use in moderately tracked areas like family rooms and dens. The pattern is especially useful as it tends to hide stains until they can be removed properly. Nylon is the material of choice for this particular Berber.

Cut pile Berber – Easily the most durable of these types of carpets, cut pile Berber is useful anywhere in the house. The fact that the pile is cut means that the loops cannot be snagged by rowdy pets or rambunctious kids. It also retains its look much better as it does not deform as much as the looped style of Berber carpet.

Materials – Not specifically a style but a major consideration is what type of material you should get in your Berber carpet. Wool is the most comfortable and expensive. Nylon is in the middle in terms of both pricing and durability. Finally, olefin will last the longest and cost the least, but is only really usable in a commercial setting.

For further information on the wide variety of Berber carpet patterns and types available for installation in your home, please contact us at Great Western Flooring. We can be found online at www.greatwesternflooring.com or reached directly at 630-357-3331.

The Ins and Outs of Berber Carpet Construction

First created several thousand years ago, the first Berber carpets were handwoven affairs that took months or even years to complete. Over the ensuing millennia, the process has been streamlined to quite an impressive degree. Nowadays, the average Berber carpet can be completed in a matter of hours with a level of quality unknown in the ancient world. Here is how modern manufacturers do it:

The right materials – Traditional Berber carpets were woven exclusively from wool fibers while modern ones use a variety of other materials such as nylon and olefin. Nylon is easily the most comfortable underfoot as evidenced by its use in women's stockings, but olefin is renowned for its overall strength and colorfastness as well as its resistance to abrasion, staining, mildew and fading. In short, nylon Berber is usually used in residential settings while olefin based ones are more commonly found in commercial settings.

An exacting manufacturing process – Modern Berber carpets are mass produced on industrial sized machines that churn out thousands of feet of carpet per hour. Nevertheless, they are more accurately constructed than anything ever produced by the most meticulous human hand. The finished, loop pile product not only mimics the look of traditional hand woven knotted carpets but also surpasses it in terms of durability and longevity.

Coatings that last – A final tiebreaker in favor of modern Berber carpets – versus the traditional ones – is the array of coatings that are typically applied to them. Most notably, synthetic carpets are covered in a stain resistant coating that does not allow mud, oils or food stains to seep into the interior of the carpet pile. Instead, the adulterants pool on the surface of the carpet where they are easily removed if dealt with in an expeditious manner.

For additional information on the pros and cons of the modern incarnation of wool Berber carpet in particular or on other flooring options in general, please contact us at Great Western Flooring. You'll will find us online at www.greatwesternflooring.com or you can reach us directly at 630-357-3331.

Wool Carpet Prices are More Affordable than Ever

Wool Carpet Prices are More Affordable than Ever

Ever since its introduction over 2,000 years ago, wool carpet has always commanded a premium from manufacturers because of its durability and its natural beauty. Wool carpet is still somewhat pricey compared to the synthetic alternatives, but it is well worth the money for those homeowners willing to make the investment.

It is long-lived – Somewhat surprisingly, natural wool carpeting is a remarkably durable product. In fact, if properly maintained, it can have a useful and attractive lifespan for up to three decades – longer than most people ever live in a particular house. In other words, a great investment.

It is easy to clean – Like most everything else, it is best to be proactive when cleaning a wool rug, but it is still fairly easy to do so. Clean up spills immediately, and then use a diluted vinegar mixture to remove any staining. The carpet should also be vacuumed on a weekly basis to avoid physical wear and tear. The result is smaller cleaning bills in the long run.

It is hypoallergenic – Wool is naturally hypoallergenic. In addition, it resists the infestation of dust mites, and the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. These facts all add up to fewer sick days and fewer doctor's bills. Not only will you be healthier but so will your bank account.

For more information on where to get the best wool carpet prices and on other carpet related topics, please contact us at Great Western Flooring. You can visit us online at www.greatwesternflooring.com or reach us directly at 630-357-3331.

Getting Carpet Installed? Look for These Things in a Top-Notch Job

It is only prudent for any homeowner who is having wall-to-wall carpeting installed to know a thing or two about the process. This knowledge will not only ensure that they get a top notch job but also pay an affordable price. Here are a few things to watch for while your contractor completes the work:

First, examine the padding – Good quality carpet padding provides an insulating and comfortable layer between the hard sub-floor and the carpet itself. It also helps to reduce damage from moisture and provides a modicum of noise insulation. It should be at least one quarter inch thick to be most effective, but should not exceed a half inch or it will not do its job properly.

Next, watch the stretchers – Stretchers are actually a piece of equipment used by carpet installers to properly fit the carpet into a particular space. Watch the installers using these tools to get a feel for how competent and comfortable they are with their job. Installing carpet is not particularly difficult but it does take some degree of expertise and experience to do it right.

Finally, examine the seams – In any carpet installation, the seams will ultimately tell the tale of whether or not a good job has been done. If they are too far apart, the seams will be stretched and far apart. If they are pushed too close together, they will rise up in a phenomenon known as “peaking.” Both phenomena are readily identifiable – even to a novice.

For more information on getting carpet installed, or on other carpet related topics, please contact us at Great Western Flooring. You can visit us online at www.greatwesternflooring.com or reach us directly at 630-357-3331.

Understanding the Basics of Textured Carpeting

By most ordinary folks, textured carpets are referred to by a variety of names - plush, Saxony and sculptured to name just a few. Though all are referring to textured carpets, there are some essential differences that a person should know about before buying one of these carpets. With that thought in mind, here is a concise guide for understanding the basics of textured carpeting:

Pile height – This factor is fairly self-explanatory. The length of the fibers - the pile height - can run from very short to very long. The first type is usually referred to as plush and will show shoe marks and vacuum cleaner lines, but offers a very elegant look. The latter is often known as shag and is ideal for dens and other rooms where the atmosphere is more relaxed and has a little more high traffic.

Pile density – Also referred to as face weight, this attribute refers to how much actual fiber is contained per square yard in the carpet. The tightest - that is, the most dense - weaves are quite elegant but require almost constant maintenance to look their best while less dense varieties are more suitable for areas that will receive a lot of use but little care.

Pile color – Textured carpet comes in a wide variety of solid colors but can also be found in bi- or multi-colored fleck tones. There is no reason to settle for second best when it comes to this factor. In fact, you can even have a textured carpet dyed to your exact color specifications.

For more information on the particulars of textured carpet, or on other general carpet related topics, please contact us at Great Western Flooring. You can visit us online at www.greatwesternflooring.com or reach us directly at 630-357-3331.