Carpet
From buying carpet to carpet installation and care
A soft, plush carpet makes a room more inviting, and it is a popular choice in areas that get a lot of traffic and use. Carpeting is available both in traditional rolls, which must be cut, and in carpet tiles, which are easy to place. Traditionally speaking, it is most often used in bedrooms and living rooms, although finished basements and recreation rooms are usually carpeted as well.
The Advantages of Carpet
Carpet offers many advantages. Its biggest and most obvious advantage is comfort – carpet is soft and easy on the feet. It also muffles noise; a person walking across hardwood flooring makes a lot more noise than someone walking across a carpeted floor. Carpet is also relatively easy to care for.
Versatility is another key advantage. Carpet can be used in almost any room effectively, and carpet runners that go down staircases can create smooth and seamless transitions between carpeted hallways and hardwood landings. Also, carpet installation is a very straightforward process and, arguably, the easiest flooring technique for someone new to the world of do-it-yourself home improvement.
Finally, carpet is a cost-effective way to cover large areas. Wholesale carpet and discount carpet retailers sell carpet at rates per square foot that are often far less expensive than hardwood and laminate alternatives.
Carpet Cleaning and Care
However, one of the primary disadvantages of carpeting is that it is prone to wear and stains. Thus, regular carpet cleaning and care is a must.
You should vacuum your carpet at least once a week and, whenever possible, take your shoes off before walking on it. If you like, you can use throw rugs to protect large areas of your carpet, and you should make sure to clean any stains immediately. There are dozens of carpet stain-removing products on the market that are very effective at eliminating even difficult messes.
In addition, you should get regular carpet cleaning, or rent a professional-quality steam cleaner from a grocery store or home improvement store. Always vacuum your carpet thoroughly before cleaning, and make sure your carpet has dried completely before you walk on it again.
Properly cared for and maintained, your carpet will last for many years. Also, keep in mind that new carpeting raises the value of your home, so if you're thinking about selling your house, one of the simplest things you can do to get a better sale price is replace your carpets – the higher sale price should pay for your labor and materials with plenty of profit left over.
