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Carpet is a heavy woven fabric used to cover a floor. The are many methods for weaving carpets, and carpet can be made from a variety of fabrics. Carpets vary in the height and density of the pile, and come is a wide array of colors and patterns.
There are many benefits to using carpet as a home floor covering:
Comfort and Insulation: Carpet is comfortable under foot and, particularly if you have children, as a play surface. Carpet fibers act as an insulation material, and will protect your home from the impact of extreme temperatures. If you are interested in carpet's insulation qualities, consider buying thicker/denser carpet and combining it with a thicker carpet pad.
Aesthetics: Providing wall-to-wall coverage of an entire surface of a room, carpet presents a uniform design element that is always in view. Carpet can be a neutral design element or make a bold statement. It can be dense and firm under foot, or be deep and lush. Available in more colors, patterns, and textures than ever before, carpet offers more design variation than any other flooring material.
Less Noise: Carpet provides sound insulation. It will muffle and reduce the transmission of the sounds of a television or conversation from one bedroom to another. Carpet is significantly reduces the sound of shoes on flooring, and is much quieter than than wood or tile. If you own a two or three story home, carpeting the floors over rooms that are living space will make the lower rooms much quieter.
Safety from Falling: Carpet provides a less slippery surface than tile, wood, or vinyl. This is particularly important for the young and old residents of a home. In the event that a slip or stumble does occur, carpet provides more cushioning than other floor coverings.
Carpet can be laid over concrete or wood subfloors. Concrete needs to be clean, dry and cured. Wood subfloors must be structurally sound, flooring grade, and must meet the carpet manufacturers specifications. Many carpet manufacturers specify temperature and humidity conditions that need to be maintained for 48 hours before installation, during installation, and 48 hours after installation.
If you have another kind of flooring that is in disrepair, that you are tired of, or that no longer meets your decorating needs, carpet may be a great choice for you next covering. Use this guide to do background research, understand your options, and help you work through the decision factors. If you already have a carpet that is in disrepair, read the Repair or Replace considerations in the Carpet Factors section.
There are nine factors for you to consider when you are selecting carpet. We have defined these nine factors and we present the options relating to each. We also describe four features that are commonly available in carpets. If any of these features are important to you, you may choose to select only models with your favorite features.
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