Myth Buster: Carpet Truth

If you are considering a carpet installation and all of a sudden people are giving you advice, read more to break down the real truths about carpet and separate fact from myth.  Carpet is a popular choice of floor covering in many homes, providing warmth, comfort and valuable home improvements.  Just like any other floor covering, knowing what to consider and what to look out for when shopping for carpet will help you make the best decision for your home and clear up any misconceptions.

Myth #1:  The thicker the carpet, the better.

Fact: Thicker carpet does provide a soft and cushiony feel, although it’s the density of the carpet that provides long lasting durability.  Quality carpet with a higher density will last longer than less dense carpet.  Compare the yarn per square inch of carpet samples to know which carries more density and will provide longer lasting resilience, regardless of the carpet thickness.

Myth #2: Carpet gives off harmful VOCs.

Fact: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are a hot topic in flooring manufacturing with new flooring products containing very low to no VOCs.  Harmful contaminants such as formaldehyde have not been used in carpet manufacturing since 1978.  Carpet is actually one of the lowest contributors of VOCs compared to other household environmental products, scoring lower than typical household wall paint.  The EPA has researched the topic and no evidence of adverse health effects from carpet is found. 

Myth #3:  Carpet makes allergies worse.

Fact:  Carpet can actually improve air quality by trapping dust and allergens until vacuuming.  Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter will reduce stirring allergens up while vacuuming.  Frequent vacuuming with a HEPA filter vacuum can improve air quality for those who suffer with allergies.

Myth #4:  Carpet is difficult to maintain.

There are many things you can do to extend the longevity of your carpet.  Frequent vacuuming, especially in high traffic areas, is important to prevent dirt and debris from settling low in the pile of the carpet.  Professionally cleaning your carpets every 12 to 18 months in addition to frequent vacuuming will help to preserve your carpet’s appearance and feel.

When considering all your options for flooring and wanting the truth about carpet, contact Great Western Flooring for answer to all your questions and concerns.  We offer experienced, complimentary design consultations from experienced flooring and tile experts.  Stop by one of our convenient locations for a wide selection of quality flooring and carpet products that improve the comfort and value of your home.

This content was originally published at https://www.greatwesternflooring.com/flooring-blog/myth-buster-carpet-truth/

Ideas for Tile Patterns

Ceramic tile lends a unique benefit for awesome flooring installations with the many variations in ideas for tile patterns.  Just by incorporating a unique pattern when laying ceramic tile, you can easily transform the look of your entire room.  The right pattern will visually elongate a room, expand narrow rooms and even hide a room’s minor imperfections. 

Check out the following ideas for tile patterns and add a wow factor to your new tile floor.

Straight Lay Grid Tile Pattern

The simple straight lay grid tile pattern is a simple design which easily blends with other patterns in the room.  A straight lay grid pattern is flexible for any room with any size of tile from mosaics to large panels including ceramic tile that resembles real stone.

Diagonal Grid Tile Pattern

The diagonal grid tile pattern is a straight lay grid rotated at 45 degrees to shift the focal point of the room with wide angles.  The diagonal grid pattern provides a widening visual effect with the simplicity of a straight grid install.  Diagonal patterns are ideal in smaller rooms to visually expand a small kitchen or bathroom or to create movement in a narrow space.

Chevron Tile Pattern

The chevron tile pattern is a popular zigzag design which combines rectangular shaped tiles at angled ends.  The Chevron pattern provides widening and elongating angles to any space by carrying your line of sight along a focal point.  Installing the Chevron tile pattern is easier than it looks and requires only one size and type of tile. Alternating tiles with different colors creates a striped zigzag appearance for a strikingly beautiful floor. 

Herringbone Tile Pattern

The Herringbone tile pattern is laid out in a similar zigzag pattern although the ends are not angled like in the chevron pattern. The herringbone tile pattern places rectangular tiles in a V-shaped alternating at 45° and provides a widening and elongating effect. Installing ceramic tile in a herringbone pattern allows for an intricate design with only one size and shape of tile.

Hopscotch Tile Pattern

Installing ceramic tile in the playful hopscotch pattern provides interesting, interlocking designs.  The hopscotch tile pattern is a combination of small and large tiles and requires careful planning before installation.  It is recommended to lay out your entire space before installing with adhesive.

Great Western Flooring offers complimentary design consultations for many more ideas on tile patterns.  We are the leading flooring and tile company with more than 35 years of experience pleasing customers in and around Chicago.  Contact us for quality flooring materials, professional installation and trending design ideas for flooring and tile.

This article was originally published at https://www.greatwesternflooring.com/flooring-blog/ideas-for-tile-patterns/

Consider Wall to Wall Carpet as an Option

Choosing the right carpet to cover your entire room is a big decision when considering wall to wall carpet.  You want to find the perfect color and the right texture to provide the level of plushness and protection that you desire. You also want to make a smart investment as new carpeting is one of the easiest ways to improve your home’s value and comfort. 

To find the best carpet for your wall to wall carpet installation, you’ll want to think about the following considerations.

●       Purpose of the room -  What is the purpose of the room you are considering for wall to wall carpet? Is it a formal dining room that will not experience much activity or a busy living room where children and pets will be lounging and playing on the floor?  Speak with your carpet and flooring specialist about the purpose of your room to help you choose the right carpet to stand up to the level of activity.

●       Foot traffic - You’ll want to think about the level of foot traffic in the room to determine the density and durability of wall to wall carpet that will last. 

●       Sunlight exposure - Determine the level of sunlight that your carpeting will be exposed to as direct sunlight can fade carpets without UV protection.  Sunlight can also significantly alter the color of certain materials which may appear brighter with different hues in direct sunlight than artificial room lighting.  You won’t want to choose a dark color in a room that receives little to no sunlight.

●       Color - The level of sunlight plays a role in the color you choose as well as the purpose of the room.  In a room that may be exposed to children, pets and stains you may want to avoid white or light colors.  Neutral colors are typically a safe bet and a good choice if considering reselling your home in the near future as neutral blends easily with almost any style of furnishings.

●       Pets - If you have pets be sure to talk with your carpet specialist about the carpeting with protection against pet stains.  Carpeting with high quality stain guard can surprisingly repel even the toughest of stains including stains from pet messes and spills.

●       Texture – a textured carpet such as a cut and loop style provides a pattern that hides dirt more easily than other styles such as a flatter type of Berber carpeting.

●       Maintenance – make sure you know the best way to maintain your wall to wall carpet of choice before you buy it.  You’ll want to know how often you should vacuum and deep clean and the best way to spot remove stains and spills.

Speak with your carpeting, tile and flooring experts, Great Western Flooring for more tips to consider for wall to wall carpet installations.  We offer quality carpet from the leading names in carpet manufacturers and help you choose the best carpet for your room.  Our flooring specialists are experienced in all types of carpet, features and benefits and how to select the best carpet for your room and your budget.

Great Western Flooring offers complimentary design consultations from experienced flooring and tile design experts.  We have over 35 years of experience pleasing customers in and around Chicago with quality products and professional installation.  Contact us to learn more about our wide selection of quality flooring products and for more points to consider for your wall to wall carpet installation.

This article was previously published at https://www.greatwesternflooring.com/flooring-blog/consider-wall-to-wall-carpet-as-an-option/