Comparing Carpet Manufacturers and Styles

Homeowners shopping for carpet will find themselves faced with many choices. Before heading to the store, a consumer should contemplate the location and use of the intended carpet. This will help them choose the appropriate style and fiber of the carpet. Besides color, construction and fiber are the most important decisions facing a purchaser.

Carpet is produced in three primary constructions: cut pile, loop pile, and cut and loop pile. Cut piles hold the largest market share when it comes to residential installation. Cut pile carpet is available in saxony, plush, textured, and frieze styles. Plushes provide the most formal appearance. Loop pile carpets may be either level loop, textured loop, or multilevel loop. Berber carpets are one example of loop pile carpets. Loop pile carpets typically provide the best durability, but have limited appeal with homeowners because of their low-profile and reduced cushioning. Cut and loop pile carpets are available as either level cut and loop or multilevel cut and loop. Cut and loop pile was the most commonly installed carpet of the 1970's and 1980's, but sales have declined in recent years.

Carpet fiber can be produced from Nylon, PET Polyester or Polypropylene. Nylon offers the best strength and durability but is also the most expensive. PET Polyester fiber is most commonly chosen for its affordability. Polypropylene was first designed as an outdoor carpet fiber. All major carpet manufacturers offer these fiber choices as well as a few unique to their brand.

Today's carpet shopper will find many quality name brands to choose from. The most popular choices are carpets from Mohawk, Shaw, and DuPont Stainmaster. Carpet costs can range from $3.29 per square yard to $30.00 per square yard, depending on the construction and fiber choices. Less expensive carpets are not necessarily the best buy, because they may wear out and need to be replaced more often than a more expensive carpet. Overall carpet value is determined by durability as well as price.

Mohawk Industries began producing carpet in 1878. Today, Mohawk is known as the world's largest floor covering supplier and the United State's leading recycler of plastic soda bottles. Mohawk turns those recycled plastic bottles into polyester carpet.

Shaw started in 1946, as a small business dying tufted scatter rugs. Over the years, the company has grown and is now recognized as the world's largest producer of carpets and the United States'
leading textile manufacturer. Shaw is a family-run business, headed by Robert E. Shaw.

DuPont Stainmaster, introduced in 1986, offered break-through technology. Chemists created DuPont Advanced Teflon product utilizing soil resistance technology which enabled DuPont Stainmaster carpet fibers to literally push dirt away. DuPont Stainmaster's stain protection also reduces the fibers' ability to absorb liquids, which greatly reduces the carpet's propensity to stain. Other carpets can be made stain resistant through the application of chemicals after installation. These chemicals must be reapplied after steam cleaning in order for the carpet to retain its stain fighting abilities. DuPont Stainmaster carpet never needs a single application of these chemicals.

Proper upkeep of all carpet includes frequent vacuuming followed by regular deep cleaning. Vacuuming helps keep dirt out of the carpet, extending the life of the carpet. Ground in dirt requires deep cleaning to remove. Industry specialists recommend that carpets are steam cleaned (also called hot water extraction) at least every 18-24 months. It is recommended that a homeowner contract with a professional carpet cleaning company for this service.

Steam cleaning is the preferred cleaning method for carpet. It is the only cleaning method recognized as "deep-cleaning". During steam cleaning, hot water is forced into the carpet using a fine spray mist. This forceful mist pushes the dirt out of the carpet and it is then immediately sucked up by the vacuum device attached to the cleaning machine. Steam cleaning machines can be mounted to a truck, with only the hose and vacuum attachment being brought into the home, or a smaller, portable unit can be used. Truck-mounted systems are the preferred cleaning equipment because they are more powerful. More power means they are better able to clean the carpets and then remove the dirty water, allowing the carpet to dry faster.

Other methods for cleaning carpets include: shampooing, dry cleaning and bonnet cleaning. None of these are recommended by carpet industry professionals because these methods use foaming chemicals to attempt to clean the carpets. The foaming chemicals are allowed to dry on the carpet and are then vacuumed up. Vacuuming does not remove all of the residue, and carpets can become soiled soon after cleaning. Repeated use of these methods will cause permanent soiling and irreversible damage.

Carpet is an economical, low maintenance floor covering that will enhance the beauty of any home under any budget. Before making any decisions, homeowners should seriously consider the location and traffic pattern of their new carpet, keeping in mind that durability weighs heavily into a carpet's value. Whether a homeowner chooses Mohawk, Shaw or DuPont Stainmaster carpet, they can be assured they will install a luxurious floor covering that will endure daily wear and tear and continue to show its beauty for years to come.