We hear it all in our showroom. There’s a lot of misinformation out there about flooring and, despite all efforts, myths seem to about certain products.
We think it’s time to debunk them once and for all.
With carpet, we always hear the same question: “Do I really need professional cleaning, especially if I vacuum frequently?” The answer is “Yes!” This is why: First, vacuuming doesn’t go deep into flooring. Pollutants are trapped, and only get removed when deep cleaned. Second, dirt is sharp, heavy and can act like razor blades, fraying the fibers and matting them down. Third, the manufacturer might demand it on the warranty; many insist upon the professional cleaning every 12 to 18 months, and if you don’t comply, damages will not be covered.
We also hear the following about carpet
●Question: I have allergies, so can I have a rug? Answer: Yes! Dirt, insect fragments and other undesirable particles get trapped in the fibers. When you sweep, they can become airborne, so think of your rug as a kind of air filter. Just be sure to get it cleaned once a year, more often if you have pets.
●Question: Can I use the same kind of carpet all throughout my house? Answer: No, because different areas have different flooring priorities. For example, in your bedroom, you’ll want a plush flooring, like Saxony, Shag or Frieze carpet. The bedroom is also a relatively low-traffic area.
For stairs, there are two priorities: Safety and durability. Stairways are high traffic; people and pets are constantly going up and down; also, when installed, it needs to wrap around the front of the stairs, and probably in between the railing. If it’s a high pile, there will be no foundation, and it can cause falling. Living, family and entryways also see a lot of wear and tear; it should be durable, stain and spill-resistant.
●Question: Are carpets out-of-date? Answer: This is always a popular flooring choice, with an updated assortment of colors, patterns and designs. In fact, technology has even changed the color palette of the Shag, known from the 70s and 80s for their brown, gold and green hues.
●Question: Is this flooring too hot for a place like Texas? Answer: What many don’t realize is that carpet is an excellent temperature insulator. That means if the room is cool, the carpet will also be cool; if the room is warm; so will be the floor.
●Question: Is thicker better? Answer: No, what determines quality in a carpet is density, how closely the fibers are woven together. Take a look at the back of a sample, and even bend it back.
Stay tuned for the next post, when we tackle hardwood, tile, stone and luxury vinyl, and if you have any other questions, feel free to come into the Gowdy Flooring showroom in Amarillo, TX, to speak with one of our experts.
