Know More about Sliding Doors

Posted on September 5, 2011 by admin

To most of us, sliding doors are a necessity in our homes and it is hard not to find a sliding door installed in a modern home. Sliding doors are usually used in traditional Japan architecture and they are called Shoji doors, made from natural material such as bamboo or lattice of wood to separate rooms and conserve space. The natural material allows natural light and aerates the house. While Japanese have been using sliding doors for a long time, sliding doors actually originated from the Romans dating back to the 1st century.

In modern times, most urban homes have some form of sliding doors, even in their shower or wardrobe. Many homes now opt for a minimalist design to their interior and this is where sliding doors is very popular as they are sleek, versatile, discreet and more importantly maximizes floor space. It can also be used to create privacy by using it to segregate the rooms. There are two types of sliding door gear, a mechanism used to operate the sliding door; the top hung or bottom rolling system. The top hung mechanism is often used as it is simple and effective where the door is hanged by trolley hangers running through concealed track.

Glass sliding doors is often chosen as it allows natural light but it may cost a bit more. For those on a budget, one can opt for sliding doors made out of fiberglass or plastic which is very affordable and easy to get. They are also very lightweight, making it easier to slide between the tracks. One could also decorate their sliding door with decorative films which are easily available in any hardware store. The cheaper sliding door made out of plastic is also easier to clean and maintain.

For those who are eco-friendly, you can choose a wood based sliding door for the patio as it is also a cheaper alternative than glass sliding doors. Plus, it creates a rustic environment and would be a perfect suit for the naturalist in you. So go on and get yourself a sliding door as it would make a big difference to your home.

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Color is one of the most important things in determining the beauty of your room

Posted on February 15, 2011 by admin

Color is one of the most important things in determining the beauty of your room. Therefore, when you are going to install new carpet in your room, you need to choose a certain product with the best color that matches the decor of your room. Carpet with the right color will bring several different touches, such as making your room looks warm, creating softer design to your room, and many more. He you can get several considerations in choosing carpet with appropriate color for your room. Carpet Colors

The first thing to do is making the list of colors that are already used in your room. Think about the color of the wall, bedding, sofa, and so on. List them and you can choose certain color for your carpet that will complement to the existing colors. You can choose the dominant one of those colors, or simply choose a certain color that brings the most beauty and appeal for your room.

Second, you can check the lighting of the room. Dark room that relies on artificial lighting tends to change the shade of the carpet color to be darker. Meanwhile, a room that has enough natural light may change the dark color of your carpet. So, before choosing on a certain color, it will be better for you to take a sample first. It will help you to determine the best color that matches with the lighting in your room. Or, you can simply adjust the lighting in order to make it appropriate with your chosen carpet color.

Third, you can think about the purpose of the room. It will be very useful help you decide on light or dark carpet color. Carpet in dark color allows you to show off any items in your room that is not dark. Surely, it is including animal hair, pieces of trash, and also some light dirt. When you are going to choose a certain carpet for the room of your children or your family room, you should not choose dark color. If you are going to get a product for any room near yard or outdoor area, you should not choose a carpet with light color.

 

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Engineered Floors

Posted on January 12, 2011 by admin

Engineered Floors may be less than two years old, but it continues to make a big impact in carpet manufacturing. Located in Calhoun, Georgia, Engineered Floors is making a tremendous impact in the low to mid range priced carpet. Without a doubt, solution dyed polyester is the best value in carpet today, and no one makes it as good looking or as cheap as Engineered Floors.

The price is cheap but this is the highest quality polyester in the carpet industry. Brand new state of the art fiber extruders, twisters, and heat setters produce the durable fiber that makes these fantastic products. It’s fantastic (not just because it is cheap) but because it performs great too. The fiber is solution dyed which makes it is extremely stain proof, and able to stand up to aggressive cleaning. It’s a filament so it will not fuzz, and the fiber has a high twist level which makes it very durable.

Carpet Express sells a style called “Cadillac” for $1.22 a square foot. This is probably the best deal on higher end residential carpet I have ever seen. This is an exceptional value for a 45oz casual trackless carpet.

Engineered Floors was founded by Bob Shaw (the founder and former CEO of Shaw Industries). It will be interesting to see what Engineered Floors will do next!

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Let’s talk about some of the things to consider before cleaning your own carpet

Posted on December 20, 2010 by admin

Let’s talk about some of the things to consider before cleaning your own carpet. First and foremost, the cost is one of the most important factors for most people. Many of the “Do It Yourself” carpet cleaning products are not commercial grade. Therefore, these products do not have the “Punch” or cleaning power that a professional carpet cleaning company uses. Carpet Clean

Also, these products are sold at a retail price and marked up, which make them overpriced and not worth the price. If you choose to purchase these products you may want to speak with someone at your local carpet store. Be sure to know what type of carpet, the types of stains, traffic areas and odors you are trying to remove, so that you will know what cleaner to get. You will be much happier with your results. The second thing you must consider is the quality and condition of the carpet cleaning equipment that you will be using.

Most of the equipment offered at your local hardware store is low-grade with little power. These machines are typically hot water extraction machines that are not well maintained. In order to clean carpet with a hot water extractor you need high water pressure and extreme vacuum suction. Most of the time, these machines do not have either of these qualities. Be sure to average in the cost of the machine as well. If you choose to rent a machine from your local hardware store make sure that it’s clean and in good condition.

Be sure to follow the instructions carefully. If not, and you damage the equipment the store is going to charge you for the damage! With a decent machine and good quality chemicals you might be able to clean your carpet with great results. You can clean your own carpet, but it’s not recommended because of the quality and the cost involved.

Here are step by step DIY instructions on how to clean your carpet:

What You Will Need

You will need a hot water extraction machine. You can rent these from most local hardware stores. Make sure you understand basics of operating the carpet machine before you leave the store. Be sure to ask the basic questions “On” and “Off” switch, pressure line valves, water fill, water drain valves, etc. This will make your job much easier. Make sure you test the machine before you leave the store or you might make another unwanted trip! Also, if the machine is damaged it’s best that the store knows before you leave.

Be sure to follow the instructions on the machine. This is very important! If not, you will not get good cleaning results or the machine could get damaged. Next, you will need a pressure sprayer. Make sure it is clean with no other chemical residue. Again, make sure you know how to operate this equipment properly and report any damages found. You will also need carpet shampoo and/or chemicals. Ensure that the shampoo/chemicals is safe to use with your carpet. And lastly, you will need hot water.

Preparation

Make sure you get the measurements for the carpet shampoo concentrate correct! If not measured properly, the use of too much soap will leave some residue behind and cause your carpet to attract more dirt. Remember, soap attracts dirt! An easier way to apply the carpet shampoo is to use a pressure sprayer. Get a pressure sprayer and make sure it is clean with no other chemical residue. Apply the shampoo with the pressure sprayer and give it some time to work into your carpet.

Cleaning

After the shampoo has had time to work, you can now start the cleaning process. Use only hot water in the hot water extractor for best results. This will help prevent leaving soapy residue on your carpet. Begin to clean the carpet (as instructed by machine) and be patient! These rental machines are not high power and take time to clean. After following the cleaning instructions and carpet is cleaned to your desired results your carpet needs to dry. Also, the more you clean your carpet the wetter it’s going to be and this is what determines the drying time. The best way to get your carpet dry is to leave the air conditioner on through the day or night. If not, the carpet will create humidity and take much longer to dry. You can also use any box or ceilings fans to move the air around for a quicker drying time. Your carpet should be dry shortly after.

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Smartstrand Carpet

Posted on November 14, 2010 by admin

Mohawk has really hit a home run with Smartstrand. We are very excited about these products. Smartstrand carpet with DuPont Sorona leads innovation in sustainable flooring with its “renewably sourced polymer.” Just in case “renewable sourced polymer” sounds too technical to you (as it did to me), all it means is that the carpet fiber is largely made of corn sugar. For me and the rest of us at Carpet Express, this is very exciting. This corn sugar sourced ingredient, “Bio-PDO,” is not just great because it comes from a renewable source, but it also directly reduces the need of petroleum in polymer production. Say that three times fast!

By using the natural sugar found in corn, 37% of Sorona is being made from renewable resources. Smartstrand is a one of a kind soft soft soft carpet fiber, it offers durability and stain protection, and it is making less of an environmental impact. Talking about having your cake and eating it to!

Smartstrand carpet fiber requires 30% less energy than the production of an equal amount of nylon. Greenhouse gas emissions from the production of Sorona® are 63% lower than nylon manufacturing. This energy reduction results in approximately one gallon of gasoline saved per every seven square yards of carpet.

Fact: Every seven yards of SmartStrand saves enough energy and resources to equal the equivalent of one gallon of gasoline!

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Carrying out some routine cleaning techniques

Posted on October 26, 2010 by admin

We love our pets and treat them as members of the family. But why should we sacrifice the beauty of our carpeting just because we own cats and dogs? With pet ownership comes the headaches of shedding fur, dander, odor and accidental urine or waste stains. Carrying out some routine cleaning techniques will help keep your carpet or rug looking good despite the issues that come with pet ownership. Carpet Clean

One of the most reported problems with having a pet is the amount of hair and fur that is shed and embedded into carpet fibers and upholstered furniture. While you can’t stop your dog or cat from shedding, you can take some preventative steps to make sure the excess hair doesn’t find its way into your rug. Make sure you brush your pet on a regular basis. Some pets, depending on the breed, shed more often and with a larger amount of hair. However, even shorthaired pets will shed, so be certain you are brushing them often as well. You should brush your pet outside or in an area with bare floors for easy cleanup.

While brushing will certainly diminish the amount of hair that gets embedded in your carpet, you cannot completely stop the fur from shedding. For that reason, you should try to contain where your pet sleeps or lies down. Try to train your dog or cat to relax in an area dedicated just for them. Put a pet bed in the corner of the room so they may have a designated place that they can use to relax. You’ll notice the area with the most amount of shed hair will be in that area, so you can concentrate on cleaning and vacuuming in that specific spot instead of being overwhelmed with a room full of pet hair.

There are many vacuums on the market designed with picking up animal hair in mind. Not only can these strong vacuums suck up hair, they also pick up the dirt and dander that can get embedded into your carpet pile. You’ll notice the most heavily traveled areas in a carpeted room – both by humans and pets – will become dirty and trampled more quickly. A good quality vacuum will make sure you’re lifting the excess dirt, dust and dander from these heavily soiled areas.

Even well trained dogs and cats will eventually have accidents. The odors and stains that are associated with pet urine and waste can cause irreversible damage to your carpet. A good way to combat the odors and stains is by purchasing a enzyme cleaner designed to neutralize the acids and ammonia found in pet waste. Try to get to soiled spot quickly, soak up (dab the spot, do not rub) the excess with paper towels then use the enzyme cleaner as instructed on the bottle. Dish detergent and vinegar are also great home-remedy techniques for neutralizing odors in your carpet.

Of course, you should consult a professional carpet cleaning service to perform a routine carpet cleaning that will rid your carpet of contaminates and grime that consumer-grade carpet cleaning products can’t. Regular carpet cleaning done by professionals will keep your carpet looking great for many years to come.

 

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Can You Install Berber Carpet On Stairs?

Posted on September 5, 2010 by admin

Are you asking yourself if Berber carpet can be installed on stairs? Berber carpet is very popular, but its installation is not the simplest of tasks, as other kinds of flooring are easier to manage. If you’ve never installed carpeting before, you may want to consider hiring a professional installer to be sure the job is done right. Your carpet will last longer if it’s installed correctly, and Berber has a reputation for being durable and sophisticated. However, if you do your homework and have at least a little experience with home improvement projects, you should be able to install your Berber carpeting yourself. Installing Berber carpeting on stairs is probably the trickiest part of the whole project, so you’ll probably want so expert advice on that step of the process.

Before you start your carpet installation project, you’ll want to rent or buy the appropriate tools. Your local flooring store or home improvement center may offer carpet installation classes, which are a great way to learn about the process of installation and ensure that your carpeting lasts as long as possible. Usually, these classes cost very little, so you’ll save lots of money on professional installation.

An easier way to install your carpeting is by using Berber carpet tiles. Tiles already have the padding on them, so you don’t need to do that step. You can just lay the tiles out, line them up, and press them down. A major advantage of this kind of Berber carpeting is that if a tile gets damaged or stained, you can simply replace it with another. However, this solution does not help you install Berber carpet on stairs. On stairs, one of the main problems is that it is difficult to cut the carpet without resulting in fraying at the edges. For this part of the project, you’ll need to use Berber rolls.

Correctly installed Berber roll carpeting on stairs will reduce the risk of injury in your home, which is particularly important in houses with children and elderly people. The carpet will cover sharp edges and provide friction and grip. In addition, the stairs in your home probably see the most traffic in the whole house, and that stairway can be damaged if it’s made of wood. Putting Berber carpets on the stairs will protect them and reduce costs from having to repair or replace steps. Finally, one of the most important reasons to carpet your stairs is to reduce noise all over the house.

Another thing to keep in mind is that carpets are a great way to decorate your home. Berber carpet on stairs can add a splash of color to a staircase and change the look of the entire room.

When planning your stair installation, remember that a Berber carpet with a low pile is probably best for stairs. A loop pile carpet will last longer than a cut pile carpet, but cut pile is a bit easier to install. Be sure to choose a padding that is sufficient to cushion your footsteps. Just a small investment of time and research at your local flooring store will ensure that your Berber carpet is properly installed on your stairs and in the rest of your home, for many years of enjoyment.

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There is a lot more to carpet care than vacuuming

Posted on August 15, 2010 by admin

Putting a new carpet into your home is expensive so it makes sense to take good care of it for years to come. Furthermore, complete carpet care maintains a healthy living environment. Despite popular belief, vacuuming alone is not sufficient to keep your carpet clean. There are several different steps you need to take in order to maintain a clean carpet.In gathering a carpet cleaning review from some professionals, it was noted that vacuuming may not keep your carpet perfectly clean but it isone of the essential aspects of carpet care. To prevent dirt from getting embedded in the fibers of your carpet, it’s necessary to vacuum on a regular basis. It’s ideal to vacuum every day but unfortunately most of us do not have time for daily vacuuming. Vacuuming twice a week is a more realistic goal. To get the most out of vacuuming in high traffic areas, slowly run the vacuum back and forth and side to side in parallel rows at least seven times.

There is a lot more to carpet care than vacuuming. Shampooing is a popular and effective way to clean carpets. To shampoo your carpet, you have to spray a shampoo solution on it and leave it there for a while so it loosens and absorbs all of the dirt in the fibers. Then you have to follow up by vacuuming the carpet once the shampoo solution is completely dry. Steam cleaning is another popular way to clean carpets and it entails using a steam cleaning machine and liquid cleaner to loosen dirt and bring it to the carpet’s surface.

While shampooing and steam cleaning carpets gets them clean, they are not effective ways to remove carpet stains. Carpet stains are inevitable since people track dirt and spill drinks and food. Cleaning carpet stains is not hard. The key to getting rid of carpet stains is immediate action in order to prevent them from setting in. To get rid of a stain, blot the extra liquid with a dry cloth. Do not rub the liquid in because it will weaken and wear out the carpet fibers. There are many effective carpet-stain removers on the market but home remedies like baking soda can be equally effective and they are a more economical option. Use a clean, dry cloth to blot baking soda on a carpet stain. For oil spots, use baking soda and corn starch. Vinegar is known to be effective in removing coffee and chocolate stains.

It’s important to know how to clean your carpet effectively once it gets dirty but regular maintenance is also essential. Try adopting the Japanese custom of wearing no shoes in your home. However, don’t expect your transition to a shoe-free home to be the ultimate solution to your carpet problems. Bare feet can also destroy carpeting so if you decide to go shoe-free, make sure everyone in your household wears slippers or socks.

Place an entrance mat at your doorstep that it is long enough to cover the space that your guests need in order to clean and remove their shoes upon entering. Also place a mat outside of your doorstep to prevent larger dirt particles from entering your home altogether. Keep the door mats very clean because once they are unable to hold any more dirt, dirt particles will make their way into your home. By taking these simple steps, you will be able to preserve your carpet for years to come and make the most out of your investment.

 

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Spruce Up your Stairs with Color

Posted on July 15, 2010 by admin

Stairs are an often neglected design space in our homes.  There are three popular options for stairs: full carpet, runners, or bare wood.  Carpet works especially well if the rest of your home has carpet.  A stair runner is a nice compromise between bare wood and carpet as it allows the wood to show on the sides.  Wood looks great in an older home.  We loved it when we discovered this last option, painted wood stairs.

We think this is a great option for an older home such as a Queen Anne or Victorian.  Often these homes will have painted risers on the staircase.  And 99% of the time the risers are painted white.

If your wood stairs are not in the best of shape but you don’t want to invest in a custom stair runner or carpet, paint could be a great option to add some flair to the stairs.

In this example, the soft blue complements the soft yellow of the walls to create a welcoming feel to the entry.  We like the crisp white accents and punches of deeper blue.

As with any decorating project, paint is an easy, quick way to change a space. Stairs are no exception.  You could keep your wood stairs and just paint the risers a complementary color to your walls or add a fun pattern like diamonds or scrolls.  The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

And if you don’t like the paint, you could always get a runner or carpet the stairs later.

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Berber carpet is one of the more popular types of carpeting today

Posted on June 28, 2010 by admin

Berber carpet is one of the more popular types of carpeting today and can be found in beautiful homes throughout the country. Berber does not actually refer to the material the carpet is made from, but rather the carpet’s weave. In fact, Berber carpeting can be made from a number of materials, with wool, nylon, and olefin being the most common. Carpet Berber

While Berber carpeting is typically more durable and stain-resistant than standard carpet, it still needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. The process for cleaning this type of carpeting is a little different than most carpet. Here are some tips to help keep your Berber carpet looking clean and attractive.

The simplest way to keep your carpet looking great is to simply prevent any dirt and dust from actually penetrating the carpet’s weave. The best way to ensure this does not happen is to vacuum on a regular basis. Vacuuming once or twice a week should be more than sufficient to get the job done. It would also help to have everyone remove their shoes before entering your home.

Using a steam cleaner is one of the best ways to clean Berber carpets. This method is highly effective in carpet cleaning and stain removal. However, since the carpet has such tight woven fabric, it makes any moisture from the steam cleaning more difficult to remove. What this essentially means is that you will need to allot more type for the carpet to dry after a steam cleaning than you would with most carpet.

Another important point to remember is to never scrub a stain on your Berber carpeting. Actually, you should never scrub a stain on any type of carpeting. The reason for this is that scrubbing actually causes the stain to penetrate deeper into the carpet and subsequently causing more damage than what you started with.

Simply use a clean, damp cloth to dilute and absorb the stain. The key to removing stains is to act quickly and immediately right after a spill takes place. If you follow the above cleaning steps, your Berber carpet will look great for many years to come.

 

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