Selecting Carpet For Your Lifestyle

Posted by admin on Jun 28th, 2009 in Carpet - Flooring | 0 comments

Whenever you select carpet, you have to consider many aesthetic as well as technical areas.  With well over a hundred thousands styles and colors being released every year, selecting the right carpet to match your needs can be a very challenging task indeed.

Carpet is available in several different textures, constructions, colors, and designs – which will open the doors to virtually any interior design that you can imagine.  The combination of texture and color will complement the look of both formal and casual environments, while helping to bring continuity to the overall room designs.

The most important thing to consider when you shop for carpet is the amount of traffic that will be on the carpet that is going to be installed as well as the area you hope to use it in.  The construction and the texture are both key aspects when you select a carpet for a specified area and use.

Nylon, polyester, and olefin are the mosty widely used fibers with carpet manufacturing, with each one displaying qualities that make themselves great with specific applications and uses. Even though nylon is the most expensive type of fiber, it is also the softest and most resilient, which makes it great for any room in your home, including those
areas that have a high level of traffic.

Polyester fabric is less resilient than nylon, although it more cost efficient and offers a high level of resistance to stains, which makes it a great choice for areas such as bedrooms or dining rooms that are not subjet to a lot of traffic.

The fiber olefin is solution dyed, which results in a highly resistant stain carpet that can be cleaned easily using a water and beach solution – without any loss to the color.

Unlike the other types of fibers, olefin is fade, mildew, and mold resistant, which results in a carpet that performs well indoors and outdoors. Keep in mind however, that olefin isn’t very  resilient and as a result, it should only be
considered with berber construction.

You can get carpets in either plush or berber construction.  The berber type of carpets are well constructed with a continuous level loop, while plush carpets are constructed of loops that have been sheared, which results in the strands standing upright.

Berber construction carpets don’t crush or matt, due to their high level loops.  They are however harder underfoot, uncomfortable to sit on or lay down on, and they can easily become damaged by pets with long nails.  Berber carpets are well  suited for high traffic areas, which include walk ways, living rooms, and entrance areas.  They aren’t
popular with bedrooms, as their hard texture makes them a less than attractive option.

The plush type carpets are much softer to walk or lay on and they offer better sound and thermal insulation.  They tend to crush and matt though when they are subjected to high levels of foot traffic.

The use of nylon fiber paired with a tight low pile construction will help to limit the amount of pile and matt crushing, due to the high resilient nature of the nylon fiber and the added support that is gained from tight construction.

The warranties for carpet ranges from 5 – 30 years, with the general rule being that you don’t cover the stairs.  Most carpet warranties will require the installation of new carpet padding as well at the time of installation in order for the warranty to become valid.

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7 Materials For Creating The Perfect Kitchen Countertop

Posted by admin on Jun 27th, 2009 in Home | 1 comment

The kitchen countertop has to be able to take a lot of abuse including the heat of pots, cutting and knives and abrasive cleansers.  The ideal countertop should be able to stand up to heat and the sharp edge of a knife.

Let us take a look at 7 of the most popular kitchen countertop materials being used today:

Granite – A natural stone, granite is a popular choice for it’s classic beauty and durability.  Granite is the hardest and densest of the natural stones.   It can create a kitchen countertop that is extremely scratch resistant and can keep its luster longer than most materials.  granite slabs are the most expensive of all kitchen countertop surfaces, although it is still considered a very practical material in that it is virtually indestructible.

Marble – Another natural stone, marble is considered to be the height of elegance and will last longer than most kitchens. It is however, is very expensive and requires some care: acidic foods such as orange juice will etch the finished surface of a marble kitchen countertop.

Slate – Because of it richness and beauty slate is usually used in interior applications such as kitchen countertops, bathroom sinks or fireplace surrounds.  It can be used in either modern or traditional kitchens as well as in combination with marble.  Slate is durable, strong, and can withstand hard use.  It is less expensive than marble

Concrete – This is one of the biggest trends in kitchen countertops today.   It is a good look for clean, industrial and contemporary kitchen designs.  Available in pre formed sections or poured and formed on-site.  Concrete is a good material for unusually shaped counters.  Concrete kitchen countertopsare expensive, require a sealant and must be treated with care.  The countertop can crack if the concrete should contract.  Concrete can be stained any color.  The most popular color is a natural gray tone. The top layer can be finished as desired.

Corian –  A solid surface material that first became popular in the 1990’s  It is highly recommended by kitchen countertop experts.  It is a totally manmade product and is not porous.  As a solid surface it can easily be repaired if scratched or burned.

Stainless Steel – Advantages include very hygienic, easy to clean, has ability to stand up to exteme wear and heat.  Stainless steel can provide a great look for an ultra modern kitchen.  Some disadvantages with stainless is that it can be noisy and that scratches can develop.

Tile – Tile surfaces can be tough, hard-wearing, takes hot pans, heat and stain resistant as well as beautiful. There are many types of tiles including ceramic, porcelain, quarry, glass, natural stone and mosiac.  Available in many colors, sizes and textures.  It has good design flexibility.  Tile can often be used for trim or backsplashes.  The downside of tile is that the grouts can be easily stained.  Also the tiles can become chipped or cracked.

Shopping For Carpet

Posted by admin on Jun 22nd, 2009 in Carpet - Flooring | 0 comments

Shopping for carpet is something that has never been an easy task.  To most people, it is more of a chore than fun.  For most people, shopping for carpet is a dreaded experience that should be avoided at all possible costs – although they aren’t in this alone.

Once you realize that others feel the same way, its time to go shopping.  Frieze is an excellent choice of carpet, one of the most popular types that you  can purchase even today.  Frieze offers you a lot of benefits without having to compromise anything.

The following are points that you’ll want to consider when you evaluate the durability of the carpet:

1.  75% twist
2.  15% fiber type
3.  10% density

Twist
The twist type of carpet has a spiral shape.  It is used via heat method that twists the yarn into its permanent shape.  The fibers can have up to seven twists per yarn, as the more twists you have the better.  The result in the end is a rustic knotted look that is very appealing.

Fiber type
Frieze carpets are normally made with high quality nylon yarn.  Nylon is one of the most popular  and most widely used fiber types for wall to wall carpets.

Density
It is very interesting that several people use the density of carpet as their primary factor in  judging quality.

As you may know, carpet can be too dense.  The denser a carpet is, the harder it will feel, as the fibers are compacted.  The fibers were meant to wear on their sides rather than on the tops, as they need their room to move.

To help you get a better idea of carpets and the types that stand out, we’ll take a look at several of them below.

Gulistan
Gulistan is actually one of the top manufacturing companies of frieze carpets.  The company was a trendsetter early on with innovate styles and a very impressive selection of colors and easy  care.  Even though the company is one of the
smallest in the world, it has proven it has what it takes to compete, with it’s high quality nylon frieze that is popular even today.

Laura Ashley
The Laura Ashley company is a name that sports an elegant English country look that continues to grow and inspire.  The company brings a lot to the table, from impressive carpets to bed linens, paint, and upholstery fabrics.

Beaulieu industries
This company licensed the Laura Ashley name and premiered close to two dozen products, which  included a cool frieze carpet.  The company has been very successful with their carpets, managing to compete for several years.

The bottom line
Anytime you shop for carpet, no matter what the style may be, you should always know what you want and how it will fit in with your home.  Along with frieze carpet, there are many other types such as  Berber, loops, high pile, and others that will add quite a bit to your home.  Your carpet is very important, and therefore you shouldn’t rush buying it.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get assistance from a professional, friend, or a member of your family.  Those that have experience with carpet can be a great help when you purchase your own, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience.

By getting help when you need it, researching, and just taking your time, you’ll have no problems at all shopping for a carpet.  Carpets can make or break a home, which is why it is very important that you know what you are buying before you make that critical purchase.

7 Tips For A Better Kitchen

Posted by admin on Jun 18th, 2009 in Kitchen | 0 comments

Eating will never go out of fashion. We will always need a place in the home where we can easily and safely prepare our food. We call that place the kitchen. Here are a few tips to help make your kitchen a better, safer and more efficient place to work in.

1. Lighting is probably the most important thing to get right. Strip or spotlights located under wall units work best to provide good, unobtrusive lighting.

2. Hard wearing flooring that’s easy to clean is another essential. Carpeting on floors surrounding kitchen worktops is a big mistake.

3. Electric sockets in abundance will make life so much easier. But remember to keep them at least a metre from any source of water.

4. Have all your regularly used utensils stored close to the areas where they will be used. This increases efficiency and reduces accidents.

5. Choose the type of kitchen sink that’s best suited for you. They come in all shapes, double or single, and in a variety of materials. Think before you buy.

6. The type of taps on your sink is important too. Get taps with plenty of height. The swivelling type adds flexibility, but you may prefer the look of double taps. Again, think about what you want.

7. Keep children out of your kitchen. Toddlers have greater ingenuity than you give them credit for. Fit any cupboard or drawer they can reach with childproof catches. Store all sharp objects, knives, etc, high up in a locked drawer.

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Using Vines to Decorate your Garden

Posted by admin on Jun 12th, 2009 in Gardening | 0 comments

A great way to decorate your garden is the use of vines. They are very low maintenance and look good on almost anything. If you’ve got a fence or separator that really stands out in the field of green that is your garden, then growing a vine over it can be a quick and aesthetically pleasing solution. However, there are many types of vines for different situations, whether you are trying to grow it up the side of a house, along the ground, or up a tree.

Many different ground vines are available. These types grow fast and strong, and just inch their ways along the ground. They are very easy to direct, so they can make a border around your garden, or just weave in and out of the plants. I suggest using these as a hardy ground cover if you just want some green on your dirt or mulch. Usually you can find a variety that is resistant to being stepped on. It’s like a leafy, nice alternative to grass. Even if you have kids and a dog, it should have no problems staying alive.

Another type of vine that is available is a “twining” vine. This refers to their method of climbing. Twining vines require a lattice or equally porous surface to climb up, since they are not sticky at all. They just climb by sending out small tendrils to loop around whatever is nearby. I suggest using this type of vine for climbing up trees, or any type of mesh. Usually you have to guide them a lot more during their early stages, and after that they will go wherever you want them to.

Vines not only look good on the ground or on lattices, you can blend them in to the very architecture of your house. This is usually achieved through the use of vines with small tendrils that have adhesive tips. They extend from the vine and attach themselves to almost any surface. If your garden is adjacent to your house and you want something to camouflage the big unsightly wall, it’s a great idea to start out a few vines near the base. If you have a vine like the Virginia Creeper growing, then your entire wall will be covered in a matter of months. However I have seen situations where the vine got out of control. After that, you have no choice but to watch the vine take over your entire house.

One of the vines that you would probably recognize is Ivy. You see it around a lot, generally because it is so adaptable. Out of the types I mentioned above (ground, twining, and sticky pads), Ivy can fill in for pretty much anything. It makes a great ground cover, and will grow up about any surface you put it on. Although it grows quick and strong, I wouldn’t suggest growing it up your house. This is because recently, buildings which have had ivy for many years have found that it has been deteriorating the building.

So no matter what you want to do with a vine, you should have no problem getting it to grow. You should always do your research beforehand and find out about any negative qualities the vine has (such as its ability to destroy buildings, in Ivy’s case.)

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