When making a carpeting decision, a consumer is confronted with five basic fiber choices. Wool, the only natural fiber used in wall to wall carpeting, is soft, resilient, and highly durable. It can also fade in sunlight and be fairly expensive. Nylon is the recipient of such technological advances as built in resistance to stains, fading, and static...

As energy conscious homeowners examine their options, radiant heat flooring products are becoming increasingly popular. Not only do these electric and hydronic systems deliver heat precisely where it is wanted underfoot, the heat delivery is even, long-lasting, and comfortable. Once a radiant heat system is selected, the question then becomes a...

Vinyl flooring has been valued for its comfort and ease of maintenance, and now it is also recommended for its design. Today’s vinyl both mimics natural materials and brings unique textures, colors, and shapes of its own. Rotovinyls feature colors and patterns printed directly on a backing, with a clear protective layer applied and fused on top....

Carpet padding is the carpet “support system” that makes a carpet feel richer and prevents it from becoming worn and matted. Prime urethane pads are generally the least expensive because they tend to compress after installation, especially in high traffic areas. Natural-and synthetic-fiber pads are the densest and most resilient but also the most...

Not only do area rugs help define and anchor seating areas within a room, but they offer several practical advantages. To begin with, it is nearly always less expensive to decorate a floor with an area rug than to fit it with wall-to-wall carpeting, which entails installation and a certain amount of wastage. In addition, an area rug offers the...

If you wouldn't buy a home or a car based solely on its color, why wouldn't you purchase carpeting according to the same criteria? Buying carpeting is the third most expensive purchase that the average homeowner makes; yet many primarily base heir decisions upon whether or not it will match the color of the sofa or wallpaper. Along with carpet...

Vinyl’s ease of maintenance, high durability and availability in a wide range of colors and patterns have led to its great popularity as a flooring material over the years. Available in either tiles or rolled sheets, vinyl is short for polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as PVC. The greater the amount of PVC in the product, the higher its degree of...

CARPET FIBERS Nylon is the carpet fiber of choice for nine out of ten homeowners. Not only is it the strongest carpet fiber, it also retains color well; resists abrasion, insects, mold, mildew, rot and many chemicals; and is easy to maintain. However, there are other synthetic fibers that also have their advantages. For instance, for those whose...

FLOOR Your Information Gail George - May 27, 2013 HARDWOOD DECISIONS Hardwood flooring is now recognized as one of the easiest surfaces to keep clean, thanks to finishes that seal out dirt and moisture. In addition, flooring made from the wood of such broadleaf trees as oak, ash, cherry, maple, hickory and walnut can be incorporated into any...