Comparing Carpet Fiber Types and Characteristics

Carpets are made out of basically four different carpet fiber types, although some carpets are made with blends.  Each fiber has characteristics and qualities unique to that fiber type, and you should choose the right carpet fiber type for your purpose.  It is important to consider the environment in which you install your carpet, the foot traffic it will receive, the conditions it will be exposed to, and how long you want it to last.  

The four basic carpet fiber types are: Nylon, Polyester, PTT and Polypropylene.  Let’s take a look at the characteristics of each of those and compare their qualities.  

Nylon Carpet Fiber Types

Nylon is known as the most versatile of all carpet fiber types, with excellent performance in all categories of stain and soil resistance, texture retention, and options for style and colors.  Nylon is the most widely used carpet fiber, and is used in both loop and cut pile styles.

Nylon has great flexibility with color, and many nylon yarns are very soft.  Nylon carpet can be stain and soil resistant, and nylon carpet from Shaw is treated with stain resistant carpet treatment for added protection.  

Polyester (PET) Carpet Fiber Types

Carpet made of polyester fibers are exceptionally soft, and naturally stain and fade resistance, although polyester is not as strong as nylon.  Therefore, carpet made from polyester carpet fibers will not be quite as durable as nylon carpet fiber types.   This is why polyester carpet is desirable in low to medium traffic areas.  

Shaw makes polyester fiber carpet that will deliver high performance, with several styles to choose from.  

Polypropylene Carpet Fiber Types (Olefin)

Polypropylene, also known as Olefin, is a carpet fiber type that is solution dyed.  This means that the color is literally built into the fiber when manufactured, making the color permanent that cannot be removed.  Solution dyed polypropylene carpet fiber provides great resistance to fading, even when exposed to direct sunlight and harsh elements.

Polypropylene is also very water resistant, as it will not absorb water, making it one of the most ideal carpet fiber types for water proof carpeting.  Olefin is not quite as strong and durable as other fibers and is used in more loop pile textures which require less resiliency.  

PTT (Triexta Polyester) Carpet Fiber Types

Polyester fiber, also known as PTT or Triexta, first became popular in the 1990’s when low-cost production became possible.  Shaw introduced the first PTT carpet fiber types for residential use in 2001, featuring excellent stain resistance and resiliency.  PTT is adequate for stain resistance, although can attract dirt and soil which can lead to premature wearing in high traffic areas.  

For more information on all available carpet fiber types contact Great Western Flooring, your flooring and carpet expert.

Great Western Flooring is a professional flooring and carpet installation company, serving the Chicagoland area for over 35 years.   We have experience in determining the best carpet fiber types for your specific application.  Stop by one of conveniently located design centers in Naperville, Oswego or St. Charles.  Call today to schedule a design consultation, and to speak with one of our flooring design experts.

What are Some of the Most Popular Carpet Types

When preparing for a new carpet installation, it is beneficial to know the most popular carpet types, their properties and the benefits they add to your home or office.   Installing new carpet brings comfort and warmth to your home, and is an investment you want to last.  Knowing the properties of various types of carpeting will help you make the right decision for your needs.

Plush Carpet

Plush carpet is a popular carpet type in many homes and apartments, although with a smooth even pile it lays very flat revealing footprints rather easily compared to other types of carpet.  

Plush carpeting is desirable in many settings and is available in almost any color imaginable.  Plush nylon carpet is a type that wears well and cleans easily.  

Textured Plush

Textured plush is a popular carpet type that contains varying tuft height, making the footprints and high traffic areas less visible.  Many colors are available, with a similar price range as the an even pile type of carpet.  This is quite durable and easy to clean especially when stain resistant treatment is applied.

Sculptured (High/Low)

This popular type of carpet has cut tufts and a looped manicured appearance.  This is typically a high cut and a low-cut pile in multi colors that does a good job of hiding dirt and footprints.

Frieze

Frieze is one of the most popular carpet types with tight tufts that are twisted, rather than straight like the plush style.  With this type of carpet, the fibers appear crooked or wiggly, which gives it a very desirable look for many homeowners.  This carpet type is good in heavy traffic areas, giving great resistance to wear and tear from vacuuming and footprints.  This carpet type is durable, yet elegant for formal areas of the home.

Saxony Carpet Type

Saxony is a refined cut-pile of carpet that is close to a plush type, but appears a bit bolder with a velvety feel ideal for refined formal environments.   

Cut and Loop

This popular carpet type combines cut and loop pile, creating a multitude of patterns and designs.

Loop Pile Carpet Type

A loop pile is a Berber type of carpeting, the smaller flatter loop provides a very durable texture, giving long lasting performance with low visible wear and tear and footprints in high traffic areas.

Contact the expert on the most popular carpet types, Great Western Flooring has been providing experienced professional flooring and carpet installation for over 35 years.  We have experience designing and installing the most superior floors and countertops in the Chicago area.  Contact us today for a simple solution, even in complex architectural room designs.  

Get the Best Value for the Price for Carpet Installation

If you’re searching for the best price for carpet installation, you need to call Great Western Flooring Company, the industry leader in beautiful flooring installed professionally, at the best available price.  

There are things you can do to try to save yourself some money with a new carpet installation, such as clearing the room of furniture, removing your old carpeting or even preparing your subfloor.  You may want to talk with the professionals before doing these things, however, as it might be extra work on your part when you could have the heavy lifting done professionally at a very fair and affordable price.  

If you move your furniture out of the room ahead of time, be very careful with lifting of heavy items such as dressers and beds without asking for assistance.  An injury is not worth moving things by yourself.  

Removing Old Carpet

Removing your old carpeting should be done in a particular fashion for ease of removal with the least amount of contaminants exposed into the air.  If you vacuum your old carpeting prior to removal, it will help to cut down on the amount of dust and air contaminants released into the air you breathe.  

If attempting to tear out your old carpeting, following a few simple tips can make it more manageable.  Removing old carpeting is easier if you cut it into strips, or sections that you can handle.  You’ll need a utility knife with a new sharp blade (be careful not to cut yourself!), and then begin to cut the carpet and the pad in manageable sections about four-foot wide, then roll them up for easy removal.  

Great Western Flooring is experienced at removing old carpet and padding and will dispose of your old carpeting following our green policy and recycling all material.  

Preparing Sub-Floor

Preparing your subfloor includes cleaning, removing any lingering staples, and ensuring that it’s level.  This can also be performed by an experienced carpet installation company, ensuring a nice finish with the result that you are looking for.

While it might be tempting to do some things yourself, and there are things that must be prepared ahead of time, consult with a professional carpet installation company to get the best price for carpet installation, including all preparation, leveling and installing.  

Great Western Flooring Company is a professional flooring and carpet installation company, incorporating our green philosophy into every process and everything we do.  We remove your old carpet and pad and recycle all materials to save energy and conserve our natural resources.  We take pride in using the latest in technology to contribute to a cleaner environment, preserving valuable energy sources.  

Great Western Flooring Company has been providing friendly, professional service for over 35 years, meeting and exceeding our customer expectations.  We offer proven solutions to install beautiful flooring in challenging architectural designs, commercial and residential settings.  Contact us today or stop by our showroom to see a gallery of our exceptional flooring options, giving you the best price for carpet installations.  

Know Your Options with Carpet Textures

With the vast many choices of carpet textures and fibers available today, you should know your options and the various properties to be satisfied with your carpet installation.   Carpeting can be made from either synthetic or natural sources, each with various characteristics and benefits.

Speaking with an experienced flooring and carpet company about your environment, and the main advantages desired from your new carpet will provide the greatest benefit to you.  

Texture can be referred to as Loop Pile, Cut Pile, or a combined sculpted Loop, with Cut Pile being the most common carpet texture for residential carpet installations with a very versatile and durable construction.   Various textures and plush carpeting are used throughout residential and commercial settings providing casual comfort, and long lasting durability.

Styles of Carpet

Plush or Texture Carpet

Texture and Plush carpeting is comforting and casual, providing great style and versatility in many residential settings.  

Frieze Carpet Texture

Frieze carpet is a newer style, which is in the family of the shag, with twisted fibers but toned down, providing resistance to foot print wear and tear, and holds up well between vacuum cleanings.   

Sculpted, Patterned and Level-Cut Loop Carpet Texture

This type of carpet texture is a combination of cut-pile and loop-pile, forming a unique design.  This sculpted texture is becoming popular with patterns and designs ranging from a traditional floral look to contemporary styles.  This style wears better than a Loop-pile with a lower loop construction.  

Loop-Pile Carpet Texture

A Loop-pile construction can create varying textures by varying the size of the loop, they can wear well with a compact, tight design.   This texture can be casual, with some designs popular in a formal environment.  A Berber style of carpet is a loop style with colored flecks throughout.  

Saxony Carpet Texture

The Saxony carpet style is ideal in formal dining room and living room settings providing a very luxurious look.  This refined cut-pile carpet texture gives a velvety feel to refined environments.  

Great Western Flooring Company is the flooring and carpet experts, serving the Chicagoland area for over 35 years.  We offer exceptional flooring and carpet installation options, bringing years of experience to assist you with luxurious designs.  Contact us today to see why we are the number one choice for quality flooring and carpet texture choices with friendly and professional installation.  

Best Value for the Cost of Carpet Flooring

The cost of carpet flooring is usually determined by a price per square foot, or price per square yard.  Some other flooring materials are priced only by the square foot, so be sure to compare apples to apples when calculating the cost of carpet flooring versus other materials.

The cost of carpet is just like anything else, there are many variations from a few dollars a square foot to more than you would want to spend, but the average cost of carpeting is right around $6 to $8 per square foot, although that only includes the cost of the carpet, not the pad or installation.

Additional costs for carpet padding would be approximately $3 to $6 per square foot, although that varies as well.  Additional charges apply for installation, which can vary based on the size and shape of the room.

Other variables include floor preparation.  Check the condition of your subfloor if you can, prior to your carpet installation.  If any work needs to be done to prepare your floor, you can save some money by doing these preparations ahead of time.

If moving furnishings or appliances is necessary, there may be a charge for that as well.  By preparing your room as much as possible prior to your carpet installation you can save some money on the cost of your carpet flooring.

Some carpet types may have more charges than other, such as Berber carpeting which can sometimes incur a surcharge during installation.  Removing your old carpeting and discarding of it also comes with a fee.  

For an accurate cost estimate on the price of carpet flooring, including the cost of carpet pad, preparation and install, be sure to call on the professionals at Great Western Flooring for a completely free estimate.

We have the best in quality from top names of carpet suppliers including Shaw and Mohawk, and have professional installers ready to give your room the beautiful makeover it deserves.

Contact Great Western Flooring today, the carpet and flooring experts serving the Chicagoland area for over 35 years.  We have the right flooring for your home or office!  Call Great Western Flooring today for a free estimate.  

How Much Should You Spend on Carpet Padding?

If you are shopping for carpet padding prices, there are some things that you should know before you buy your carpet padding.  How much you spend on your carpet pad depends on several factors, most importantly what the carpet manufacturer recommends for the padding should be the first consideration.

Carpet manufacturers have specifications for particular carpets that must be followed in order to maintain a warranty, and also to provide the most appropriate padding for the chosen carpeting. The type of carpet padding that you purchase must match the carpet in terms of specifications and long lasting durability.  If you want your carpet to last for fifteen or twenty years, then your padding must also be designed to last that same amount of time.

There is a big difference in price between carpet padding that will last five years versus padding that is made to last fifteen or twenty years.  A higher quality of carpet padding will have a higher price tag, but if is the appropriate padding for the job, it is a necessary and good investment.  You’ll want a quality padding to pair with your quality carpeting, providing the most durability especially in high traffic areas.  

The most common type of carpet padding used in residential settings is Rebond, which is made of recycled material giving it it’s multicolored look.  An average price for Rebond carpet pad is usually between $3.00 - $5.00 per square yard, but this is just the price for the pad itself.  

You will have to add for material and any labor involved.  A standard sized room would not be too much additional, but for an odd shape or size you could pay more for labor.  You can avoid additional charges if you have all of your furniture out of the room so that that room is clear and ready to go.

The carpeting and flooring experts at Great Western Flooring have the right carpet and pad in stock for you!  We carry the best carpet padding for your room, to fit within your budget and provide you the best quality with long lasting durability.  Call us today for the best in carpet padding prices.  

Call on the experienced flooring experts at Great Western Flooring for your carpet and carpet padding solutions.  Give your room the professional make over it deserves with quality carpeting and flooring products, and professional installation from Great Western Flooring.

Which Type of Carpet Padding is Right for You?

With many options available for carpet padding, choosing the right type of carpet pad for your carpet can be confusing.  

All carpet padding is not the same.  Some discount stores may try to offer you a cheap price for your carpet padding, but if it is made of inferior products your carpet will wear faster.   You should always remember that you must match the grade of your carpet to the grade of your padding.  If you want your carpet to last for twenty years, you must install carpet padding that will last just as long.

Rebond Carpet Padding

Rebond is the most common type of carpet padding used by homeowners in residential settings.   Rebond padding is made from recycled products, which is why it appears as a multi-color padding.   The quality of the carpet padding is determined by the quality of the recycled products used.  Rebond is a popular choice and gives most residential customers quality padding for their carpet, as long as it is purchased by a reputable carpet and flooring company such as Great Western Flooring.  

Foam, Urethane

Foam urethane padding is the least expensive, and is even sometimes given away at discount stores.  This type of padding will not hold up to any traffic and will become worn flat very quickly.  

Prime Urethane

Prime urethane carpet padding is becoming popular in residential settings, although it was designed for commercial use.  This type of carpet pad is made of dense polyurethane, and will usually cost even more than Rebond so it is not typically chosen by homeowners for residential settings.

Rubber Pad Waffle or Rubber Slab Flat

Rubber slab or waffle carpet padding is typically used over concrete, and not in residential settings.  

Special Carpet Padding  

Some special options are offered with carpet padding such as a moisture barrier, although there is a big misconception as to what benefit this may provide.  This type of carpet padding will not stop pet accidents from seeping through the carpet and pad. Moisture can get caught with no way to evaporate, thus damaging the floor underneath.  A good Rebond pad will usually provide just as good of results as a specialty carpet padding, and is a nice economic choice for homeowners.  In most cases the added expense of specialty padding is not necessary.  

Great Western Flooring has various types of carpet padding in stock, and can assist you in determining which is right for your new carpet installation.  We have experience satisfying commercial and residential customers with top quality materials and expert installation services.  Contact Great Western Flooring today for answer to all your carpet, padding, and flooring needs.