Several different types of fiber are used to make Carpet, but these are the most commonly used. They are nylon, polyester, olefin (also known as polypropylene) and wool. All of these except for wool are synthetic fibers.

Fibers also come in classes:  Staple or Continuous Filament. 

One of the benefits of staple fibers is that they can be made into very fine yarns for more intricate pattern designs, something that is not as easy with BCF.

If You Can Measure It, You Can Improve It

This statement is what CRI’s Seal of Approval (SOA) program is all about. We wanted to know how well vacuums, extractors and cleaning solutions worked to clean carpet, so we developed the carpet industry’s only scientific program to test and measure the effectiveness of cleaning products and equipment. The results help consumers make informed decisions and manufacturers improve their products. So, carpets are cleaner, healthier and last longer. Everyone benefits.

There are seven performance attributes SOA products are evaluated on:

To make SOA the most advanced test possible, CRI partnered with scientists at NASA. To develop the soil compound used in the testing, hundreds of real-world samples from all over the United States were analyzed. Then, the elements that made up or closely resembled those samples were blended together to create an accurate, measurable and repeatable formula.

The positive effects of the SOA program can be seen at every level of the carpet industry.

: SOA helps consumers make better purchasing decisions by ensuring that the products they choose will work. So carpets get cleaner and last longer. And consumers get a healthier environment in which to live and work – and a maximum return on their carpet investment.

: By using the test results to see product strengths and weaknesses, manufacturers get a better idea of what they need to improve. That leads to more effective products going to market. For their efforts, the manufacturers gain the added credibility a Seal of Approval label provides.

: Using Seal of Approval products helps cleaning professionals gain SOA certification. The certification differentiates them against the competition. It also helps them do their jobs better, which means more satisfied customers, more repeat business and better word of mouth.

Copywrited by CRI----visit:  www.carpet-rug.org for more information.

Green Label Cushion Testing Protocol And Product Requirements

CRI established the Green Label program to test for volatile organic compounds in cushion used under carpet.  This program helps the carpet manufacturer, installer and end user identify and utilize low-emission cushion.

Cushion products that meet the current emissions criteria can display the program’s green and white seal.  Products are retested regularly for continued compliance, so specifiers seeking a low-emitting cushion can confidently select one bearing the Green Label.

Cushion products are characterized as prime polyurethane, bonded polyurethane, mechanically frothed polyurethane, rubber-hair, rubber–jute, synthetic fiber, resinated or coated synthetic fiber, rubber and rubberized polyurethane.

Cushions are tested for total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), formaldehyde and 4-phenylcyclohexine (4-PCH).

Criteria are based on a maximum emission factor as follows:

TVOCs:       1000 µg/m · hr BHT       300 µg/m · hr Formaldehyde       50 µg/m · hr 4-PCH       50 µg/m · hr

For additional information, contact the Carpet Cushion Council at (484) 687-5170 or at www.carpetcushion.org.

Green Label Plus: A Higher Standard For Indoor Air Quality

Today, indoor air quality (IAQ) is an important environmental consideration, especially since we spend approximately 90 percent of our time indoors. In 1992, CRI launched its Green Label program to test carpet, cushions and adhesives to help specifiers identify products with very low emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Subsequently, CRI launched the Green Label Plus programs for carpet, adhesives and cushion. These enhanced programs set higher standards for IAQ and ensure that customers are purchasing the very lowest emitting products on the market.  Using scientifically established standards, the Green Label Plus program symbolizes the carpet industry’s commitment to a better environment for living, working, learning and healing.

​​Quick facts

​

​Green Label merges with Seal of Approval for vacuum certification

CRI’s Green Label vacuum certification program has merged with​ Seal of Approval program to combine the stringent standards of carpet cleaning effectiveness and indoor air quality into one program.

I’s leadership in the best practices of environmental responsibility. Look for the CRI Green Label Plus logo as proof that the product has been tested and certified by an independent laboratory and has met stringent criteria for low emissions.

​

Copyrighted by the CRI website.  Go to www.carpet-rug.org for more info.

Few flooring materials have stormed the industry ramparts like luxury vinyl tile. In commercial as well as residential settings, LVT is expanding options for designers and specifiers alike.  Luxury Vinyl Tile is something of a newcomer to the floor covering scene, yet it’s growing like wildfire: it’s today’s “It” category.

This interest has been driven first by styling and the opportunity for new looks, whether it’s a look inspired by natural materials, textiles or abstract concepts. But interest has only grown as designers and facilities managers have discovered LVT’s quality, durability, superior performance, low maintenance, lower life cycle cost, and ease of installation. 

The questions I hear all the time...is LVT better than Laminate.  Well, it depends on the use. Where LVT out shadows laminate is in durability and flexibility.  Because LVT’s composition includes PVC, the product is much more resistant to damages in addition to being water and scratch resistant.  Plus, improved embossed techniques give LVT a much more realistic look than laminate.

Finding the best carpet for your home starts out simple and quickly becomes complicated. You know you want something that will look good in your home, feel great, and most importantly, stay that way for years to come. So you go to the local carpet store or home center and that's when it gets complicated.

Unlike shopping for cars or clothes, a lot of different carpet styles look very similar, yet prices vary and there's a reason for that. The fiber that is used to make the yarn that is then made into carpet is where the difference starts. How that fiber is made into yarn is the second determining factor and how it is then tufted (sewn) into carpet is the next key difference.

More than 90 percent of today's carpet is made of synthetic fiber—nylon, polyester, triexta, or polypropylene. While each fiber has somewhat different characteristics, they are all made basically the same way. (This also includes carpets made from "Natural" fibers, such as wool and sisal.)

Once the fiber has been extruded it is bundled together and twisted into a yarn and then heat set to lock in the carpet fiber's shape. Hundreds of needles arrayed across a machine sew the yarn into a backing. Later, a second backing will be attached to give it additional strength and stability.

How well the carpet will perform depends on how well the yarn is made and how densely the carpet is tufted. The general rule is that the more filaments twisted into a yarn, the stronger it will be and the denser the carpet is (more tufts per square inch), the better it will perform. Keep in mind though that the longer the pile height, the more likely a carpet is to crush (think of traffic paths or marks where furniture has been placed on top of the carpeting).

Carpet Types: 
Carpet is manufactured with cut pile tufts, loop pile tufts or a combination of both.

Cut Pile Carpets, depending on the type yarn, can look smooth (Saxony) or slightly textured (textured saxony or textured plush) or as though the surface is covered by very curly ends (frieze). Cut pile carpets are extremely versatile and are commonly used in bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, dens and great rooms. The more textured or twisted yarns the less they will show foot prints and vacuum cleaner marks.

Cut pile carpets are constructed from either staple fibers or bulk continuous filament (BCF). Staple fibers can cause pilling at first after installation. That is because staple yarns are made up of short cut fibers that are spun together just like wool.

Loop Pile Carpet has a knobby appearance made by each tuft being brought back into the backing. Loop pile carpets are generally more durable than cut pile styles. Loop pile carpet can be made up of level loops (all the same height) or multi-level loops to form a pattern or add more texture.

Cut and Loop Carpets (also called cut & uncut) feature a combination of both loops and cut pile yarns that are used to create patterned designs. Patterned carpets can help hide traffic patterns in a room as well as give the floor a more interesting visual appearance. For example, a family room or rec-room may be the perfect place for a patterned cut and loop carpeting, especially if the room gets a lot of traffic.

Color is added to carpet in two basic ways. The fiber can be "solution dyed", which means the color pigments are mixed in with the liquid polymers producing fiber strands that arecolored all the way through—just like a carrot. Or, the carpet fibers are made first into white synthetic fibers, then topically dyed which leaves the color on the surface of the fibers—like a red radish. Since the color goes all the way through the solution dyed fibers, any solution dyed carpeting will have superior fade and bleach resistance. This can be important if the room has a lot of sunlight coming through the windows and you are worried about fading.

For resilience (the ability to stand up to traffic), nylon is the best carpet fiber. But, nylon is inherently prone to staining which is why most nylon carpets are coated with stain and soil resistant treatments that may need to be replaced eventually after repeated cleanings.

Through advancements in carpet technology polyester has made great strides as a carpet fiber, especially P.E.T. (polyethylene terephthalate) polyester fibers. The fiber is made from P.E.T. chips and some from recycled plastic containers. P.E.T. fibers are much stronger than the old polyester and offer much better performance and stain resistance.

Recently a new fiber has been created called: Triexta and was been approved by the FTC in 2009 as a new fiber type. Triexta is a PTT polmer, also known as (poly trimethylene teraphthalate), and offers exceptional durability, softness and stain resistance. Fibers made from triexta are used in carpet, apparel fabrics and automotive flooring.

Polypropylene (also referred to as: olefin) is a type of solution dyed fiber that is naturally stain and fade resistant, but has the poorest performance of all the carpet fiber types when it comes to resiliency. The best performing construction for polypropylene carpets is a very tight loop in a low-to-mid pile height.

There is a growing demand for carpets with a very soft hand, often referred to as "soft carpets". Soft carpets can be constructed from either nylon, Triexta or P.E.T. polyesterfibers and each fiber type offers certain advantages. All the major residential carpet brands and retailers offer a wide array of soft carpeting styles today. Some soft carpets are so soft they require special vacuum cleaners. This is where your local, specialty carpet retailer can really help guide you through the selection process. See the WFCA's carpet store locatorfor highly trained, local carpet retailers that have the experience and industry knowledge to help you select the best carpet for your specific situation.

The best carpet for a bedroom depends on whose bedroom it is. A master suite or a guest room will likely not have a lot of traffic or a lot of soiling and or staining. A child or teen may be much harder on their bedroom carpet.

For an adult bedroom, just about any fiber in a plush or texture style will perform well. The new soft carpets are a good choice for a luxury feel underfoot. If you are on a budget, soft polyester might be a good choice.

A kid's bedroom, with a greater likelihood of spills and soil, calls for a stain resistant nylon, or an inherently stain resist polyester carpet fiber.

Formal living rooms are well served by classic cut pile saxonies or a sophisticated cut and loop patterned carpets. A textured plush carpet will work well for a more casual lifestyle.

Your lifestyle and personal taste are key factors in choosing the best carpet for living rooms. In busy families with children and pets, the living room will get the most use. To be ready for staining, it is best to have a solution dyed or stain treated product with some type of odor treatment in these rooms. The weight of furniture is also a consideration.

Formal living rooms are well served by classic cut pile saxonies or a sophisticated cut and loop patterned carpets. A textured plush carpet will work well for a more casual lifestyle.

Triexta, P.E.T. polyester carpets with inherent stain resistance, solution dyed nylon carpets, or nylons with advanced stain resist properties are recommended for dining rooms. Products that feature anti-microbial and other topical treatments are also advised to protect against spills.

Stairs and high traffic areas can be covered in a low, dense pile carpet. Because it is the most resilient fiber, nylon products are recommended in pulled down textures or level loop constructions. The bottom of the stairway and the top landing can be extremely tough on carpeting because that is where people usually turn their feet which causes additional stress on carpet. This is where a low profile, extremely densely packed carpet can really add to the life expectancy of the carpet.

Carpets made of polypropylene in a dense, multi-color loop or level loop constructions are a good choice for basements. It is also recommended to use a good quality carpet cushion underneath the loop pile carpet to help the overall life and performance of the carpeting.

Luxury Vinyl Tile floors are designed to capture the timeless look of natural stone tile flooring, wood planks and ceramic tile floors, while providing an extremely durable and comfortable surface for everyday living. Luxury Vinyl Tile comes in many extremely fashionable designs ranging from contemporary to rustic and many feature deep embossing for stunning realism. Many of the designs can be installed with grout or without grout, for a true stone or ceramic tile appearance.

Polyesters are not the same these days as what they were in the past.  They have come along way in the past 5 years.  They are more durable, softer and come in a wide range of colors and styles.  All manufacturers:  Shaw, Mohawk, Beaulieu, Dixie, Southwinds, Godrey Hurst, and Kane...to name a few, have polyester carpets.  Just like Nylon, pile height, weight and density are all important factors when purchasing a polyester carpet. 

Polyester carpets are inherently stain and fade resistant.  That is one reason they have become so popular these days.  They are extremely easy to clean and tend to be a good choice for playrooms and bonus room where stains can be a concern.  I would recommend a polyester of at least 45-50 ounce weight for an active family. 

While not as inherently resilient as nylon, polyester carpets will perform well if constructed well.  So choose a polyester carpet with a higher pile and medium-high density to ensure maximum appearance retention and long-term wear.  You can also refer to the durability ratings on the back of carpet samples to help you assess how a carpet will stand up to traffic.

If you’ve never considered polyester carpeting before, you might want to look at Shaw’s New ClearTouch carpets which are made of a new type of polyester called PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate).  This new polyester hits all the check marks for performance.  ClearTouch carpets feature:

The new PET polyester carpets pack in a lot of performance for the money! They are a great choice for children’s bedrooms & playrooms as well as for people who don’t want to put a lot money into their carpet.  We highly recommend you choose a PET polyester with low-medium pile and medium-high density to ensure maximum appearance retention and long-term wear.

Looking for a new twist on Carpet?  Well, carpet tiles may be the way to go.  There are so many new styles and colors out now.  It's not just for commercial spaces.  Carpet tiles will still run you a little more than a mid grade broadloom carpet, but the benefits out weigh the cost.  Damage a broadloom carpet and you are stuck with ugly carpet or a patched carpet.  With carpet tiles, you can just pop out the damaged carpet piece and install a new one...easy!  Carpet tiles will start in the $18-19 sq yd price (or $2-2.50 sq ft price) range.  And carpet tiles are much more durable than broadloom.  They are very low tight piles that can withstand wear and tear. 

So, next time you are looking for something different and durable, give carpet tiles a chance.

Asthma and allergies:  Although we might not normally associate carpet with improved indoor air quality, it does have a very positive effect. Gravity causes common household particles, such as dust, pollen and pet and insect dander, to fall to the floor.  Carpet fibers trap the particles, reducing their continued circulation in the air.  Proper cleaning with CRI-approved vacuums effectively removes dust and allergens from the carpet, locks them in the machine and helps keep them out of the air we breathe. 

A misperception is that people with asthma and allergies should avoid carpet in the home.  But much of today’s carpet is made from harmless materials found in clothing and other everyday fabrics, such as polyester, nylon, triexta, and olefin fibers, which don’t trouble most people.

Mold and VOC misperceptions: Other misperceptions about carpet involve mold and the emission of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. In fact, it is very hard to grow mold on carpet. Mold grows in any moist environment where dirt and dust provide nutrients.  When carpet is kept clean and dry, mold simply cannot grow on synthetic fibers.

Carpet is also wrongly linked to high VOC levels.  Scientific studies show that new carpet is one of the lowest emitters of VOCs into the indoor environment, and that these emissions dissipate very quickly.  The low-level VOC emissions and the harmless odor from new carpet disappear within the first 48 to 72 hours after installation and even sooner with open windows or doors.

The Carpet and Rug Institute offers Green Label testing and certification to indicate carpet, carpet backings, cushions and adhesives that emit low VOCs.