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 Jewell Industries, Inc. is the
largest minority supplier and installer of floor care products on the
Eastern Seaboard. Our staff works closely with architects, engineers and
designers to insure that the products specified for the job are delivered
and installed to the customer's satisfaction. Our floor care division
focuses upon large, commercial and government jobs that require our unique
blend of professionals and tradesmen to get the job done efficiently and
cost effectively. We sell and distribute high quality carpeting and VTC
nationally.
How
to Select a Carpet
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Most
people who buy carpeting know very little about the various types and
characteristics of carpeting. This makes finding "the right"
carpeting difficult to say the least. We found this handy guide that
describes carpet characteristics on the Shaw Carpets WEB site and thought
our carpeting customers and prospects might want benefit from this
information. Jewell Industries, Inc. is a proud reseller of installer of Shaw
Carpets.
Carpet
is a major purchase, and it's in your best interest to become as informed
as possible before making a decision. The components and characteristics of
carpets vary considerably, and some styles are better suited for certain
applications than others. Understanding the four elements allows you to
compare carpet efficiently and find one that is right for your lifestyle
and budget.
Face
Weight/Fiber | Top
Since
these two elements are so closely linked, we consider them one component or
characteristic that should be considered. The face weight is the amount of
fiber (in yarn form) per square yard of carpet. Obviously, a heavier face
weight means additional cost since more fiber is used, and it is often an
indication of higher quality. The style often influences the appropriate
face weight, so there is no ideal weight; generally speaking, higher face
weight is better. Although some carpets are made of blends of different
fibers, most carpets are made entirely of one of the following four fiber
types:
1. Nylon - Durable and versatile, nylon is the most widely
used carpet fiber. Most nylon styles today receive a stain-resist treatment
for protection against household spills and stains.
2. Polypropylene (olefin) - The use of polypropylene in
carpet has grown dramatically over the past ten years. Polypropylene will
not absorb water and is extremely resistant to stains, fading, and
moisture.
3. Polyester - Polyester offers exceptional softness and
color clarity, and it is also naturally stain and fade resistant.
4. Wool - The preeminent natural fiber, wool is luxurious
and much more expensive than synthetic fibers. Wool offers moderate soil
and stain resistance.
While
these descriptions outline basic characteristics of different fibers, how
the fiber is processed and fabricated - the construction - is more of a
determining factor of a carpet's performance potential. Face weight is the
number of ounces of fiber per square yard. All other things being equal,
the higher the face weight of a carpet the better.
Twist | Top
Twist
is the number of times the fiber strands are twisted together in a 1-inch
length to form the carpet yarn. Most yarns are heat-set after twisting to
lock the twist in place, giving it "memory" for improved
resilience. A high level, or "tight," twist enhances a carpet's
long-term durability by providing improved resistance to crushing and
matting. Twist can also affect the look of the carpet. Higher twist is
better. Since it is locked in by the closed loops, twist is not a
major factor in loop pile styles. However, loop pile styles are influence
by tuft bind, a measurement that denotes the relative strength of the
attachment of the yarn loops to the primary backing. The higher the tuft
bind the better.
Durability | Top
The
most accurate and reliable measure of a carpet's durability is to test it
under actual foot traffic. Using the industry-accepted "20,000-Step
Contract Walker Test," all of Shaw Industries' residential carpet
styles are subjected to testing by "contract walkers," people
hired to walk on carpets for extended periods of time to simulate years of
wear. Shaw was one of the first carpet manufacturers to employ this
test, and although it is a time-consuming and expensive procedure, it is a
proven, quantitative measure of the durability of a particular carpet style
under virtual real-world conditions. After walk-testing, a rating is given
based on factors contributing to appearance change, such as shedding,
crushing, and matting, as graded against an accepted industry scale. The
rating essentially shows the carpet's durability, or appearance retention,
after a level of 20,000 foot-traffics.
The
rating serves as a guideline for assessing your requirements and allows
comparison. The test represents extended wear, and when comparing one
carpet to another, the rating does indicate which one can be expected to
maintain its original appearance longer. The staff at Shaw Carpeting have
examined the appearance of carpets in consumers' homes after actual wear,
and we have found a high level of satisfaction among those who followed the
aforementioned guidelines. It is important to understand that it is not
practical to associate years with any level of the durability rating. There
are so many variable factors that determine the ultimate appearance of a
carpet - area of the home installed, traffic patterns, number of
inhabitants, level of proper maintenance, etc. - that what might be only 3
years of acceptable performance to one could be a lifetime to another.
Tested samples are graded using the industry-standard, descending scale of
5 through 1, 5 being the appearance of new carpet. A rating below 2.5
should be considered for light to moderate traffic applications, such as
bedrooms or other areas not subjected to heavy traffic. Carpets that rate
2.5 or above are predicted to provide normal durability. These carpets can
be used in most applications if properly cared for and cleaned. A
rating of 4.0 or above is considered outstanding, and carpets in this class
are recommended for use in heavy traffic locations, such as family rooms
and children's areas, even if you have a large, active family or entertain
frequently.
Carpet
Textures | Top
Understanding a few
simple basics about carpet construction will help you make the right choice
for your particular application and budget. There are six (6) basic types
of carpeting. A description of each and an example is provided below thanks
to Mohawk Carpets.
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