The trick to buying carpet that lasts is to find a style that meets your unique needs. Before you go to the carpet store, you should have a basic idea of various fibers, piles, and performance criteria and how they factor into your lifestyle. Keep reading for an introduction to carpets that will help you find the kind of carpet that is right for you.

Fiber
Perhaps the most important component of residential carpets, fiber affects the characteristics and the price of the final product. Wool is a natural fiber that is elegant to the eye and soft to the touch. It provides resistance to abrasion, crushing, stains, and moth attacks. Nylon has many of the same characteristics of wool but is a synthetic material. Polyester creates affordable carpets, but does better in low traffic areas. Olefin can be used for interior or exterior decors.

Type of Pile
Even carpets made from the same fiber could feel and perform differently. Carpets with cut pile provide a variety of densities that make them versatile enough for practically any living space. Loop pile is extremely durable, which makes it a smart choice for most homes. Cut and loop pile offers a wider range of aesthetic appeal and design options.

Performance Criteria
When purchasing a new carpet, it is also important to think about how various styles perform. Talk to the sales staff about factors such as flammability, indoor air quality, appearance retention, colorfastness, and dimensional stability. You should also ask about maintenance requirements for various styles.

While window treatments are a functional element in a space, they can also be used to enhance an interior design. Every room has different needs that can be met with various window treatments. The best way to choose treatments that last is to determine these needs and see which styles best meet them.

Consider Natural Light
Natural light is an important decorating tool in certain rooms and hinders activities in others. Before you decide what kind of window treatments to use, you should determine how much light you want in a room. For the bedroom or media room, blackout curtains and drapes allow you to keep the room dark enough to sleep or watch movies. Venetian blinds are a great option for a kitchen, because they allow you to utilize natural light while you cook.

Consider Privacy
Window treatments also help you block out the world when you want privacy. Certain styles also block out the light while providing privacy. If you want to hide the interior of your home from the outside without blocking your view, privacy sheers are a great option. Blinds also allow you to let light filter in while still offering privacy. If you do not care as much about light, shades and curtains are better options.

Consider Style
Whenever you are shopping for window treatments, think about the dcor in the room in which you plan to put them. Consider design elements like the carpet and furniture to find a style that optimizes your dcor. Bring window treatment samples to your home to compare and contrast them with your interior design.

Hardwood floors begin as pieces of lumber that are thickly cut and delivered to a factory. Workers and machines measure the wood and prepare it for processing and then dry it in a kiln for 10-35 days, depending on the grade. Check out this video to learn more about the process of making hardwood floors.

The right carpet will instantly add style and function to your home. Certain styles work better for particular needs so it is important to do your research before you decide on one. Keep reading to see how a beautiful wool carpet can enhance your home:

It Is a Natural Fiber

One of the biggest perks of opting for a wool carpet is the fact that it is a natural material. This fiber does not need to be treated with potentially harmful chemicals to get its inherent aesthetic appeal. Its beauty is natural and impressive and is a safe material to use in any kind of home.

It Lasts Longer than Synthetics

If you properly care for your wool carpet, it will last longer than most synthetic options. By vacuuming regularly, hiring professional cleaners at least once a year, and clean up stains as they happen, you can extend the life of your carpet to up to five decades. After the carpet installation, it is easy to maintain the beautiful appearance of your new wool flooring.

It is Typically More Stain Resistant

Lanolin is naturally found in the oils of wool, which helps protect these carpets from stains. In fact, many wool carpets are much more stain-resistant than their synthetic counterparts and can grace your floors blemish-free for many, many years. If you are looking for a carpet that is easy to keep clean, wool could be a great option for you.

Take control of your next carpet-buying experience by brushing up on industry terms that help you find what you want from your flooring. Understanding carpet speak is the first step toward finding the perfect option for you. Keep reading for an introductory guide that helps you successfully navigate the aisles of the carpet store:

Fiber

The materials used to create the carpet, otherwise known as the fibers, are what give each style of flooring its unique properties. If you want to choose the right carpet for your needs, it is important to think about different fiber options. Wool, for example, is a natural fiber that feels soft to the touch, stands up well to heavy traffic, and has a moderate ability to thwart stains. Nylon, on the other hand, is extremely stain resistant and durable. Whether you choose wool, nylon, polyester, or olefin, make sure the fiber works well in your home.

Backing

The materials used to create the back of the carpet are often just as important as the fibers for the front. Tufted carpets have either have primary backing or secondary backing. Woven carpets, on the other hand, have backings made from construction yarns to provide a solid foundation.

Cushion

Another feature of the carpet construction that affects the way the final product feels is the cushion. This term refers to anything that goes underneath the carpet to add support under the feet. The carpets with the best cushions will feel softer than those options with lower quality options.