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Carpets or Hardwood Floors?

Carpets or hardwood floors? If you’re remodeling or building a new home or business, this is one question that’s going to come up throughout the planning stages.

Both carpets and hardwood floors can provide benefits to interior spaces, whether that be in comfort, practicality, or looks. When deciding if you should in fact go the route of carpet, it’s important to understand the reasons why. To help you with your decision we’re going to list the top five reasons why you should use carpet over hardwood and other alternative flooring options for your next project.

Carpet Allows More Personal Expression than Hardwood Flooring

While hardwood flooring can look beautiful in the right setting, carpet easily beats it as a creative outlet. Whether you are trying to build specific colors and branding for a business premise, or create the perfect interior space in your living room, carpet will allow you to express yourself through colors and textures in a way that hardwoods can’t compete with.

Carpet Is More Comfortable

You can choose carpet that is soft underfoot, which will help to create a more inviting feel in a home or business. Retail operations can benefit from carpet because it creates a more welcoming space that is also comfortable to browse through.

Carpet Is Safer for Active Children

If you have children in the home, carpet is the safest flooring for them. Hardwood can mean more injuries from falls and bumps, whereas carpet provides a softer layer of protection.

Carpet Allows for a Warmer and Quieter Home

Carpet is an insulator and it will work in two ways in a home or commercial space. Carpet will insulate against cold, and can trap heat. This means that a carpeted room is more economical, especially when you’re using climate control or indoor heaters/air conditioners. Carpet also insulates against sound which is a beneficial in offices, as well as in homes.

Carpet Is More Cost Effective than Hardwood

Carpet can be had for a fraction of the cost of hardwood, and even when compared to laminated wood or vinyl tiles. Carpet can last for years in a home or commercial space and is easily maintained. For projects where managing cost is a key consideration, carpet will always come out on top.

When it comes to flooring, carpets are the best choice because of their relatively low cost, ability to insulate, variety of designs and colors, safety, comfort, and longevity. When you want to create a unique and practical look for your home or commercial property, choose carpets for your floors.

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5 Home Projects You can Start Today

When it comes to projects around the home there are usually two kinds of people involved. Those who do, and those who dream. If you’re reading this article, maybe you’re one of the latter, or maybe you just needed some ideas to get started out on a new decorating project. The first thing to understand is that making changes around your home isn’t difficult. Usually when you keep putting something off it’s because the job you’re planning is too big, or maybe you didn’t realize how easy it is to get started right away.

We’re going to look at five of the top projects for around the home that you can start right now. Not next week, or next month, but as soon as you finish reading this article.

Increase your living space. You don’t need to expand on your home to get more usable space, in fact all you need to do is open the door and go outside. Outdoor living is a great way to create new spaces to cook, eat, and entertain. Take the concept of the BBQ area to the next level with outside seating and a table. You’ll soon be on your way to creating your new outdoor kitchen and living space.

Invest in a fire pit. Similar to a bonfire but much safer, a fire pit could be just what you need to improve your outdoor space with warmth and a new focal point. There are gas burning and wood burning pits available at almost any home improvement store. They’re portable, safe, and immediately improve your outdoor space with just a small investment.

Change your curtains. Many homeowners choose the safest colors for their curtains. Neutral tones are great if you have other décor to carry some style, but in most cases curtain choices could be greatly improved. Try some new styles, colors, or even curtain types. Just be sure they complement the rest of your décor, especially the flooring.

Try outdoor lighting. When you’re going to be spending more time outside, improving the lighting is a simple way to make any space more comfortable and practical. Lighting doesn’t have to be permanent. There are numerous options on the market for solar recharged patio lights that will improve outdoor living for only a small cost.

Have your carpets professionally cleaned. This might seem like a strange entry for a home improvement, but you might be surprised at what a professional shampoo and treatment can do for tired carpets. Over time carpets can discolor, especially the lighter varieties. There is also the problem of the pile being disturbed after regular use. Vacuuming only gets you so far. A professional cleaning service could restore your carpets to near new conditions, making you feel as if you’re stepping on a whole new floor.

Redecorating is an easy way to fall in love with your home all over again. Be creative and practical, and remember that you don’t need to spend a fortune to have stylish new decorations or minor home improvements today.

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Installing Carpets

Installing carpets is the perfect way to beautify your home while introducing your own character in to your interior design. Modern carpets are highly durable, comfortable, and best of all they can be surprisingly inexpensive.

The actual installation of your carpets is just as important for the look, feel, and durability of the carpet as the quality of carpet that you choose. A lot of times you will find installers offering cut rate prices for a basic installation.

Because it can be easy to be misled, and eventually caught out by sub-par carpet installers, we’ve put together this short list from Best Value Carpet explaining what you should look out for when you choose an installer for your next project.

Are You Purchasing Your Carpet from a Big Box Retailer?
Many of the big box retailers offer an accredited ‘basic’ carpet installation, sometimes for less than $100 for a full home. Surely there must be a catch? The catch is that ‘basic’ literally means the most bare-bones carpet installation service possible. Therefore these deals often don’t include installation materials, glues, and even certain requests like the carpeting of stairs or split level steps.

If possible, avoid big box retailers, or if you do decide to buy your carpets there it’s best to arrange for your own professional to install them. You might pay a little more but your carpets will be installed to a higher standard. This will help them to last as the manufacturer intended, and prevents follow up work resulting from poor installations.

Is Your Installer Licensed and Insured?
All installers should be licensed and bonded. This not only tells you that you’re dealing with real professionals, but it will also protect you from liabilities from on-site accidents and unforeseen events.

Ask for References.
No matter how great a company or private contractor might seem, you need to do some research to choose the right installer. Ask for two or three references so that you can get an idea of the work the installer has completed. An installer who is cagey about references is not worth the risk.

Choose an Installer Who Provides a Comprehensive Installation Warranty.
Carpet installation is a critical aspect that contributes to how good your carpet looks, and how long it will last. Carpet that is installed incorrectly may void manufacturer warranties, and may bunch up, be misaligned on corners and walls, or in the worst cases may even fray and unravel at certain points.

Ask about a warranty on the installation. This will protect you from poor workmanship, and also gives an indication of how confident the installer is in their work.

With the right installation, carpets can transform your home. The installation is just as important as the carpet itself, so exercise caution when choosing your installer. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a deal that sounds too good to be true, or that doesn’t offer protection for you in the way of licensed installers, references, and installation warranties.

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Carpet – A Little History

A carpeted home is something we take for granted. Step back in time to the early 1800s and the average home would have been very different. Unfinished hardwood floors were not uncommon in the United States, and a rug laid out in a sitting room was something of a luxury for the average family. Even affluent families would have found it hard to afford carpeting in all of their rooms.

This all changed with the industrial revolution and automated looms. Before the introduction of mechanized looms, carpets were hand woven in methods similar to those used for Persian and Oriental rugs to this day. Just as these rugs command a price premium today, the case was the same 200 years ago.

1791 was an important year in the history of carpets as Philadelphia became home to the first woven carpet mill. By the early 1800s there were mills popping up all around New England providing more cost effective carpeting solutions for a growing middle class.

Some of the early players in the modern carpet industry still have a legacy in the industry today. Bigelow carpets are known throughout America as some of the most durable, attractive, and cost effective flooring options. Erastus Bigelow invented a powered loom in the early 1800s that would go on to triple productivity in carpet production by the 1850. Bigelow was such a prolific inventor that he went on to patent 45 technologies relating to carpet and textile manufacture, always in pursuit of the most efficient methods that would produce quality carpets. Today his name lives on through the Bigelow carpet lines.

As manufacturing technologies advanced and new materials came, Americans witnessed the advent of affordable carpets, and you will find carpet in almost every home in the country today. Carpets are great for insulation, they reduce energy costs, and most importantly they create a timeless, elegant, and comfortable look which can transform a house in to a true home to be proud of.

Today we have a variety of cut pile design carpets, we predominantly use long lasting nylon instead of wool, we can make use of special backing that increases durability and comfort, and there are even options for advanced treatments like Scotchgard which help to resist stains and odor. We even have outdoor carpets that resist UV rays, moisture, and bacteria.

Next time you’re looking for carpets for use in remodeling or a new home, take a moment to consider the history that helped bring you the hi-tech carpets of today. Names like Bigelow and Mohawk are examples of the pioneers that shaped the industry, and you’ll still find their names on some of the most trusted carpets in America.

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How to Extend the Life of Your Carpet

Good carpeting is not inexpensive and it is a large investment of both time and money. First there is the time it takes to search through the various choices until you find the carpeting that best suits your needs, budget, and taste. After paying for the carpet and installation, you still have to schedule the day of installation and wait some more. All in all it is not only expensive, but time consuming as well and it is a procedure that no one wants to repeat unless it is strictly necessary. This is one reason that everyone should know how to properly maintain and care for their carpets. Proper maintenance will keep the carpet looking its best for as long as possible, but many people don’t know that caring properly for their carpets will actually extend its life. Just a few relatively simple tips can prevent the need for replacing the carpet in the near future.

The most effective, as well as the easiest, way to ensure that your carpet lasts as long as it should is to keep it as clean as possible. Don’t walk on the carpet with the same shoes that you wear outdoors. Aside from the obvious issue of muddy footprints, whether your shoes look clean or not, there is always dust, sand, or other debris lurking on the soles of your shoes. Wearing house shoes or slippers is the best option when it comes to keeping your carpet clean. Even bare feet can leave behind oil that will get into the carpet and act like a magnet to attract dust and dirt particles.

Vacuuming on a regular basis is another thing that will lengthen the life of carpets. Even if you don’t wear shoes on the carpeting, dust particles float through the air and debris finds its way into the fibers of your carpeting. This is especially true if you have pets. Vacuuming at least every two days will keep the worst of these things from becoming embedded in the carpet. Dirt, dust, and other particles (no matter how small) are abrasive. As they embed themselves into the carpet fiber they damage the integrity and cause the fibers to break, fray, or mat down and walking on the carpet hastens the process. This also involves making sure that your vacuum is in good working order. No matter how often you vacuum, if the machine isn’t functioning properly, it can’t get the carpet clean.

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Choosing the Best Carpet for Your Nursery

Need ideas for choosing nursery carpet? You can try several great options to create the right atmosphere and to keep the room comfortable and warm.

Type of Fiber
Carpets made of natural materials like wool are usually the most expensive varieties on the market. Investing in this kind of carpet, however, is a good idea for the nursery.

Synthetic fibers like nylon could be treated with some toxic chemicals. This is why you should avoid choosing artificial fibers for your baby’s room. Apart from wool, you can go for other natural carpet fabrics like cotton and jute.

Pick a Thicker Carpet
Thick and plushy carpets tend to be more expensive but they will protect your little one from bumps and bruises.

Softer and fluffier carpets are great for nurseries but make sure that the quality is high. Threads and pieces coming off the carpet could potentially endanger your baby – you know that little ones tend to put everything in their mouth.

Ease and Cleaning Convenience
Choose a flooring option that comes with easy installation. Carpet tiles are a great possibility, especially if you have decided to change the flooring shortly before the baby’s arrival. The carpet tiles are a peel and stick variety, which is excellent for a DIY project.

Wall-to-wall carpeting is something that you should avoid for the nursery. You will find it difficult to clean the carpet located underneath furniture and in the edges of the room. Dust will start accumulating, and there will be higher risk of having mold or mildew in the room. All of these could potentially lead to respiratory issues like asthma.

These are some of the basics to keep in mind when choosing a carpet for your nursery. You have a lot of freedom when it comes to style, material, color and pattern. Pick something that will enhance the interior design of your baby’s room but keep the practical considerations in mind, as well.

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Discount Carpet Tiles

Come over to the store and check out our discount carpet tiles deals. First quality carpet tile at bargain pricing.

Great prices on carpet tiles that we have in stock. We carry a wide choice of colors, styles, and patterns. Carpet tile is a great choice for many rooms in your home or business.

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Green Decorating Ideas for Your Home

decorating-green-environmentalGreen living gains more and more popularity because of the favorable environment it creates and the cost-effectiveness of such home modifications. Think about several green possibilities, if you are about to start a home redecoration project soon.

Eco Carpet Tiles
Get rid of the old carpet, especially if it is made of artificial fibers. These could be treated with harsh chemicals. New carpets are much more environment-friendly and easier to install on your own.

Carpet tiles are a great possibility because they come in many colors and different styles. You can use several kinds to make your own custom rug. Some carpet tiles are made from recycled materials, which turns them into an environment-friendly option.

Carpet tiles are easy to install. You simply need to peel and stick the tiles to the bare floor in each room.

Recycled Items
Environment-friendly furniture and accessories can be affordable. You will simply need to do your research in advance.

Many stores offer items made of recycled materials. Alternatively, you can make your own accessories from old jars, plastic bottles and cans.

Reupholster and Re-purpose
Throwing old furniture and cabinets out will result in a lot of waste. Give your old pieces a second life through an easy and enjoyable DIY project.

Old wood is very easy to re-purpose and freshen up. Sand the cabinet doors and varnish or paint them. You will immediately transform their appearance.

When it comes to couches and sofas, you can have those reupholstered. Leather restoration is also a viable possibility. Apart from being environment-friendly, these projects are much more affordable than the purchase of new furniture.

Air Purification and Scents
Candles and air fresheners are very popular but you should avoid the commercial varieties that are made of petroleum-based paraffin. Soy candles are a great natural possibility for giving your home a nice scent. Homemade natural wax candles are another great idea.

Potted plants will keep the air in your home naturally fresh. The plants will contribute to the interior design, as well. Choose flowering plants that require little care and that have deliciously-scented blossoms.

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Disposing of Old Carpet

Getting rid of your old carpet to install carpet tiles can be an exciting experience for the home or business owner. Unfortunately, as you tear out the previous carpeting, you will notice you have a lot of padding and material to dispose.

One option you will have is to sell it to someone else, assuming it is in relatively good condition. Placing an ad online or offering it at a yard sale can be a good way to connect with someone who is looking to purchase inexpensive carpeting. This can help you to avoid dumping fees, give you some extra cash, and keep old carpet out of a landfill.

Some communities have places where you can donate old carpet. A couple examples include 1)Animal shelters can use it to bottom cages. 2)Habitat for humanity offices will resell it at an affordable price to the less fortunate and use the income to help build homes. Make sure you check on the requirements that these companies have, to ensure that you are meeting their minimum requirements.

If you prefer to take a green approach to the carpet removal, consider recycling. You will find that some roofing shingle companies, furniture batting professionals and others will repurpose the carpet so it doesn’t go to waste. You can check with local carpeting companies as they will usually have a list of providers who will recycle carpet in your area and ensure that your waste is put to good use.

There will be more than one use for your old carpeting. Take a moment to determine the approach you want to take with your carpeting and then proceed to ensuring that the carpet is disposed of in the best manner possible. This can help to re-purpose the material beyond the dump and potentially help others in the process. With the old carpeting out of the way, you can then install the new carpet tiles that you have purchased.

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Hotel and Motel Carpet

hotel carpetWe not only carry carpets for your home and business but also for the hospitality industry!! Great looking Hotel and Motel Carpet can be the difference between good and great occupancy. If the carpets in your hotel or motel are just a little outdated–showing their age, you’ll find just what you’re looking for when you install the best in hospitality carpeting from Best Carpet Value with hundreds of colors and styles to choose from! http://www.bestcarpetvalue.com/hotel-motel-carpet-list.aspx

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