Common Carpet Questions

There is little doubt that you know what a carpet is but do you know all of the different types of carpets that are out on the market? There is quite a bit of history attached to carpets and it may surprise you to find out how long they have been around and what they have been used for. They grace our homes and offices but do you often stop to pay attention to their quality or fiber?

Usually that only happens when it comes time to pick out a carpet. We brush them for their softness, peel them apart for their durability and pick them based on the color. But there is so much more to carpets than meets the eye. In this audio program we will cover the history and the basic types of carpets. Before long carpets will have more of a meaning to you than simply a soft treading ground.

How is carpet made?

Carpet is made in several ways. It ranges from a simple knotted fabric tied together to make an old fashioned rug or it can be a complicated process of knotting fabric with stitching. Some carpets are woven and some are stitched. Most carpets today are made with synthetic fibers and are done with a machine. But you can still find hand-made carpets made of natural fibers. You can expect to pay more for the natural fiber carpets that are hand made and stitched or woven on a loom.

What is carpet made of?

Carpet can be made of several different types of fibers ranging from natural fibers such as cotton and bamboo. It can also be made of synthetic fibers such as nylon and polypropylene. Some newer synthetic fibers are polyester and PTT polymer. Each of the different types of fibers has a certain characteristic that makes them desirable to different customers. Some want durability whereas others are more concerned that the carpet is made from natural fibers which will cost more. The carpet fiber that you pick will be determined by how heavily it will be used. High traffic areas do much better with synthetic fibers and can actually reduce the amount of dust allergens. If cost is a major factor then you most definitely want to go with a synthetic blend versus a natural fiber.

How long has carpet been around?

It may be hard to believe but carpets have been around since the 2nd and 3rd millennium BC! The earliest carpet that has survived the test of time is called the "Pazyryk Carpet" and was found in Siberia in 1949. It dates back to the 5th and 4th century BC. No one is quite sure who made the carpet but there is speculation that either the Iranians or the Persians created this masterpiece of woven fabrics. Knotted pile carpets can be traced back to the 13th century but the best examples of carpets come to us from the Turks who have perfected the art of tapestries and carpets.

What are the different types of carpet?

This is a tricky question because it can be taken two ways. The first is the types of fibers that make up the carpet and the second is the actual types of carpets themselves. Let's go with the second since the type of carpet fibers has already been covered. There are several different types of carpets and it may surprise you to learn that not all carpets were originally created to be walked upon. It was not until the 18th century that carpets were used as floor coverings. Some of the different types of carpets are: woven, needlefelt, flatweave, hooked and knotted pile carpets. Each one is created using a different method.

What type of carpet was invented first?

The first types of carpets produced were probably those woven on looms in a similar fashion that fabric was and still is made. The yarns used are very colorful and you can create intricate designs and patterns from the different colors. These are definitely the most expensive types of carpets that you can buy as they are each done by hand. You can find machine woven carpets but you lack the personal touch of a hand weaver that has poured his or her time and effort into the carpet.

What is moquette?

Moquette in today's terminology is used to describe and define wall-to-wall carpeting. But this has only occurred since the latter part of the 19th century. Previously moquette was the term used to describe a technique of creating a carpet on a drawn loom. The carpet was created on a mechanized loom. The warp-cut or uncut loop fibers were formed under the weft without creating a knot. Unfortunately this technique is limited in the amount of colored fibers it can contain. It can only have five colors used.

What is carpet binding?

Carpet binding is the process of sealing up the edges of the woven fibers. If you look at a carpet you can see where the edge has a sewn or bound edge that prevents the carpet from unraveling. Natural fibers are used primarily on materials such as wool or bamboo. Synthetic material is used on synthetic fibers such as polyester and polypropylene.

Are there natural carpets versus the synthetic materials?

Yes, there are natural carpets versus carpets made from synthetic materials. The natural fibers used to create these carpets can be anything from bamboo to wool. They are stitched together using a natural binding and are very eco-friendly to your environment because most are free from harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde.

How do I have an eco-friendly home?

Eco-friendly carpets are a great way to start literally from the ground up. When it comes time to look for new carpets choose from a line that is friendly to the environment. These carpets are either made from all natural fibers such as wool, sea grass or jute and are bound on a backing that is made from natural fibers as well. You can also purchased carpets made from recycled materials that do not have the chemicals and pesticides added to them when attaching them to the floor.

How is carpet installed?

Carpet is installed in layers. The first layer of a carpet is the under padding. It is a thick, cushion-like material that is tacked down to the base flooring. On top of this thick padding the carpet is laid out in strips and steamed together using a seaming iron and seam tape. Once upon a time the ends were sewn together but it has proven more cost effective to just steam the two pieces together. The top layer (the carpet) is attached to the padding through glues. If you want a more environmentally and health friendly carpet you can request that natural padding and formaldehyde-free glues are not used.



  

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Today's Tip On Carpet

When you are a carpet owner, the subject of carpet cleaning is always an issue. Many people don't know how to clean a carpet, or even how often they need cleaning. There are a lot of methods of carpet treatment. If you know the right things to do, then cleaning carpets can be a breeze for just about anyone.


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