In America and Europe, carpet is found, if not in all houses, then in every second one, relatively speaking. In our country, this type of flooring has not taken root very well, and in today’s article we intend to find out why this happened and whether we should change our attitude towards carpet. So, according to tradition: all the pros and cons...
Arguments against"
The first and, perhaps, the most compelling reason to abandon carpeting is that it makes it much more difficult to keep the house clean. Moreover, this happens not only because the dense pile retains the smallest particles of dirt and not even because, unlike a carpet, carpet covering You can't take it to the dry cleaner. The main problem is that the carpet in literally is a dust magnet! Walking through synthetic fibers will electrify them, and they will begin to attract dust particles. Therefore, it is strictly not recommended to lay carpet in a room for small child, asthmatic or allergic. By the way, if there are pets with fur in the house, the struggle for cleanliness will become even more difficult and fierce, since the hairs get stuck in the carpet so that it is quite difficult to “defeat” them.
Carpeting in the living room and/or dining room is contraindicated for those who like to have guests at home - one glass of spilled wine on the floor and the evening is ruined by the obsessive thought: “if only this stain could be removed!” The same thing will happen if coffee or another drink is spilled. By the way, the aromas from such a coating are also quite difficult.
Many designers are almost squeamish about carpet, advocating for any other floor coverings. Most of them are convinced that carpet is the lot of offices, hotels, restaurants and other public institutions, while the rest simply believe that it is downright cheap. It’s your right to agree with them or not, but we’ll move on to the good stuff: why is carpet convenient?
Arguments for"
It’s not for nothing that in almost all hotels the corridors, rooms and even stairs are covered with carpet - this covering perfectly absorbs sounds, providing peace for vacationers on the ground floor and in the neighborhood. A room with carpet becomes more intimate, and the steps, by the way, are less slippery, which is very convenient for children and the elderly.
Again, anyone can buy carpet - it is an affordable covering and this is undoubtedly a plus. In addition, it opens up opportunities for us to experiment: say, if you are tired of the floor from natural wood(you want to change something, but tearing down good boards is simply blasphemy), you can lay carpet right on top of it - cheaply and, as they say, cheerfully.
Modern carpeting can be quite beautiful. Of course, it won’t replace a carpet (although who said you can’t lay a carpet on top of a carpet?), but it will definitely add coziness. And for everyone who is puzzled by the issue of maintaining cleanliness, connoisseurs of this coating assure that modern technology and cleaning products can cope even with carpet, otherwise in most hotels the floors would be simply unbearably dirty.
Americans first came up with the idea of creating a carpet of any size in the 50s. In the USA, the popularity of carpet immediately skyrocketed, surpassing even the familiar parquet flooring in terms of sales. Carpet for the home became the material that brought it comfort, warmth and a pleasant atmosphere. After the carpet appeared on Russian market, its price was quite high, so only wealthy people could afford this look finishing material. In the current conditions and scale of production, everyone can afford carpet. Now children's rooms, bedrooms, work rooms and restaurant halls are actively being decorated with carpet. But we have to figure it out: is carpet worth our attention or is it just a tribute to fashion? To answer this question, you need to study its features, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.
How to choose carpet for your home?
The answer to the question of how to choose a carpet depends on a number of factors: type, composition, weaving method, purpose. After studying them, you can come to the store and choose the finishing material with confidence.
What types of carpet are there?
Weaving method
We will talk about pile carpets, which differ in pile height:
— short-pile (up to 5 mm);
— medium pile (up to 15 mm);
— high-pile (up to 40 mm).
The choice of pile height depends on the room, for example, for the bedroom, where we most often come to relax, it is better to choose a high-pile carpet, it will be pleasant to the touch and conducive to relaxation. For a study or living room, it is better to choose a short-pile one, since the traffic there is higher.
However, a more important indicator is the density of the product. The higher it is, the longer the coating will last and retain its shape and pattern.
Pile type
- Velours. The fibers are distributed in such a way that a feeling of uniformity is created, but, unfortunately, shoe marks and dirt are visible on such a uniform structure, so it is not recommended to lay it in the hallway.
- Saxony. Used to create luxury products, it has a granular structure.
- Felt. Initially, the material (wool fibers) is compressed into several layers, which has undergone preliminary chemical treatment. If the manufacturer has not coated the material with a special water-repellent impregnation, stains will remain on the surface.
- Katlup. It combines high loops and low shear threads, thereby creating relief patterns. Often used for bedrooms.
- Friese. It does not require careful maintenance, and shoe marks are hardly noticeable on its surface.
- Print. It is used for children's rooms, as it allows you to create fabulous images.
Purpose
To extend the service life and preserve the attractiveness of the carpet as much as possible, you need to choose it correctly, in accordance with the characteristics of the room in which it will lie.
- Bedroom. Natural base (wool) and tufted appearance of the product. It is important to remember that caring for this product involves using only dry detergents. Water and liquid powders (gels) can deform the coating.
- Living room. In this room you want practicality and originality. This can be achieved using a tufted synthetic carpet. The material is soft, does not shrink, and is wear-resistant. Besides, color solutions there’s just a lot, so you can diversify your living room without much difficulty.
- Hallway. In the hallway you need a coating that is wear-resistant, easy to clean and does not wear out. Your choice is needle-punched synthetic carpet. It can withstand any cleaning without problems.
- Children's room. In this room it is desirable to use environmental materials, so natural carpet is just right. If you have to clean a room frequently, it is better to choose a mixed material that can withstand the aggressive effects of detergents.
How to define quality?
European manufacturers have developed their own quality standards, as evidenced by the large red letter “L” on the product packaging. If you see this sign on the label, you can rest assured of its quality.
Also pay attention to the documentation, which should describe in detail all the characteristics: compliance with standards, method of production, coloring, etc. Supporting documentation for all European manufacturers compiled by TUV (European certification, Germany).
You can write a lot, so pay attention to the number of stars that are assigned to the product after passing the examination. 5 stars are present on elite and expensive materials.
Is it difficult to care for carpet?
Regular cleaning and care of the carpet will extend its service life up to 15 years; if you neglect the rules of care, it will lose its appearance already after 3-5 years.
- Before installation, the material must rest for at least 1 week to avoid unpleasant odors.
- Get rid of it immediately after a stain forms. While the dirt has not yet had time to be absorbed into the structure of the material, it will be easier to remove it than to deal with old stains.
- A broom or brush will not help clean the carpet; they are simply useless. To maintain cleanliness, it is better to use a regular vacuum cleaner.
- Before using aggressive chemical substances, test them in a small and inconspicuous area.
- It is recommended to vacuum at least 2 times a week (in high-traffic areas - 3 times a week).
- A washing vacuum cleaner for natural products is prohibited. Moisture is absorbed into the fibers, which can lead to the formation of mold.
- Once a month you need to carry out a deep cleaning using dry products, which need to be left on the surface for a while, after which it is good to go through with a vacuum cleaner.
- If the coating has lost its brightness, you can return it in a simple way– a solution of ammonia. For 1 liter of water use 3 tbsp. ammonia, which should be used to treat the carpet with a brush.
- You can clean the carpet using a steam generator (steam cleaner). Read the packaging first; there may be contraindications for a specific coating. You can use the steam generator once a month.
- Once every 3 months is acceptable bactericidal quartz treatment to completely get rid of bacteria.
- Pet owners need to stock up on hydrogen peroxide, because this particular product is good in the fight against pet waste products.
- Soda – universal remedy, which allows you to get rid of, in principle, all types of odor. It is rubbed into the coating and left for 3-6 hours, then thoroughly cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.
- For dry cleaning, use a special nozzle for carpeting, which combs through the material, working on each area. In this case, the structure of the pile does not undergo changes; it returns to its previous position.
- Natural material or complex stains are best removed by dry cleaning. There, through water extraction, you can get rid of all types of stains “painlessly” for the coating. If you are afraid of damaging the material, turn to professionals for help.
Which carpet is best for your home?
After learning more about the types and types of carpet, the question arises: which one is better? It is advisable to choose carpets for your home according to their composition, which can be natural or artificial. At the same time, it is impossible to say unequivocally which is the best carpet for the home, since both have pros and cons.
The material used as a basis allows us to call carpet artificial or natural. Natural coating almost always consists of wool, but other natural ingredients can also be found in the composition to reduce the cost of technology and increase durability, for example, linen or cotton. A natural product absorbs moisture, and when the air is dry, gives it back. With its help, a pleasant atmosphere in the room is maintained, and the wool does not burn. This perfect option to the nursery, as it is environmentally friendly.
BUT! “Naturality” affects wearability. The product quickly loses its presentation.
Artificial carpet is made on the basis of polyester, olefin, nylon, acrylic and other materials obtained by chemical means. The most common of these is nylon, and here's why: it's easy to clean, durable, soft to the touch, and inexpensive. This material is perfect for a room such as a hallway.
There is also a third type of material - mixed. In this case, wool accounts for from 10% to 30% of the composition. It has absorbed the advantages of the two previous types and is suitable for a living room, study or nursery.
Today we will talk about the types of carpet and try to clarify whether it is worth laying it on the kitchen floor.
A little theory
The name itself speaks of its relationship with the carpet, and some even mistakenly identify these different concepts. Carpet is also designed to insulate, soften and decorate floors and is made from natural, synthetic or mixed materials. But there are significant differences presented in the table:
| Parameter | Carpet | Carpet |
| Dimensions | Fixed length and width | The length you need (25, 30 or more meters) and roll width (0.7, 0.8, 1, 1.2, 2, 3, 3.5, 4 and 5 m) |
| Drawing | As a rule, the carpet has a clear center of the composition, which is sometimes inconvenient. | There are a lot of one-color options, and if with patterns, they are small and repetitive. |
| Laying method | Free, fixation with furniture | Loose, stretching, glued |
| Room type | Bedroom, living room, children's room | Any room at home, offices, hotels, cafes, restaurants, billiard rooms... |
| What to lay it on? | On the finished floor | Any type of base - concrete, wood, laminate |
The kitchen is a lot of traffic high level humidity and frequent cleaning. Let's find out whether carpet is appropriate on it.
Types of carpet
By area of application, carpet is divided into household and office (commercial). Household carpet, in turn, is conventionally divided into adult and children's, differing in materials and patterns. Bright, with cheerful images, children's carpet is easily recognizable.
The commercial look is superior to the household look in a number of ways important parameters– density, height, weight, composition of pile threads, but loses in color scheme and a meager assortment of drawings.
From the point of view of manufacturing technology, there are 4 types of carpet:
- woven, made from natural materials– a jute base mesh to which linen, cotton, silk or wool threads are tied;
- tufting (needle stitching), in which the pile thread is brought out through the base;
- needle-punched or lint-free, similar in appearance to felt - it is made with jagged needles that difficult to tangle the fibers;
- flocked, made from synthetic fibers using an electric static field.
It is believed that the needle-punched look is most suitable for the kitchen.
Materials
The durability, “pleasantness” and height of the carpet pile are determined by the material from which it is made. And they make it from natural, artificial and mixed fibers:
The main advantage natural materials You can call them natural. Externally, natural carpet cannot be distinguished from artificial carpet.
But in terms of performance - wear resistance, ease of maintenance, ability to withstand mechanical loads, abundance of moisture, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, resist the appearance of fungi and microorganisms - artificial materials better.
Today the best material For kitchen carpet, many people consider nylon (polyamide). It is resistant to wear, dirt, durable, easy to clean, retains its original color for a long time, and has antistatic properties.
Also, nylon does not retain dents from the legs of heavy furniture and is available in a large assortment of colors and patterns. In second place in popularity is polypropylene carpet.
Base type
Carpet can be baseless, with one or two bases. The task of the base is to maintain stable dimensions of the carpet, prevent slipping, and at the same time increase its sound, thermal insulation properties and damping characteristics.
Natural or synthetic jute (felt) or felt, foam rubber, and latex are used as materials for the base of the carpet. And although the last two options are the most short-lived, baseless carpet for the kitchen is not an option.
Pile type
According to the type of pile they are distinguished:
- 1. loopback (loopback);
- 2. cropped (cut);
- 3. combined carpet, consisting of cut and uncut loops.
The first type is typical for commercial carpet, intended for high-traffic areas: it does not allow dirt and dust to pass through the carpet, but is also more difficult to clean. But the second one is easier and faster to vacuum.
The concept of pile height refers to split and combined types.
Pile height
The pile height is:
- short – from 2 to 5 mm;
- medium - from 5 to 8 mm;
- high – 8 – 40 mm.
Contrary to stereotypes, it does not particularly affect the wear resistance and durability of the carpet, unlike subsequent characteristics.
Pile density and weight
The density of weaving knots, as well as their weight, is measured in grams per 1 m2. The denser the villi are to each other, the better coverage reduces noise and retains heat. A denser and, accordingly, heavier carpet collects dust less well. Household carpet is characterized by a weight of up to 300-400 g, commercial carpet - over 400 g per m2.
Explanation of important abbreviations
The characteristics of carpet contain combinations of letters and numbers, united by the important indicator “fire safety class”. And this is what they mean:
KM – level fire danger material, KM0 – non-flammable material, KM5 – super-flammable;
G – flammability, measured on a scale from 1 to 4;
B – flammability, from 1 to 3;
D – smoke formation, from 1 to 3;
T – toxicity, from 1 to 4;
RP – flame spread, from 1 to 4.
Ideally, all digital indicators should be as low as possible.
But with color fastness the opposite is true: it is measured on a scale from 1 to 5, and the higher this indicator, the longer the coating will retain its color after repeated walking and cleaning.
pros
The ideal floor covering, completely satisfying with its appearance, softness, and price, has not yet been invented. But each of them has advantages that determine the choice.
Carpet has its main advantage, because compared to tiles, linoleum and laminate, it does not become slippery from water. Do you think it doesn't matter? Tell this to those who regularly do the splits from a wet floor or, even worse, get injured, with all the ensuing consequences.
If ceramic tiles Although not every master can lay out the carpet, even a non-professional can lay the carpet.
Other advantages of carpet are that it:
- insulates the floor;
- it is pleasant to walk on it;
- absorbs noise 10 times better than hard flooring;
- easy to care for;
- suits almost any interior style;
- will keep objects falling on the floor intact;
- goes well with others floor coverings the same height;
- durable.
Minuses
The disadvantages of carpet include:
- ability to accumulate dust;
- creating a suitable habitat for insects, mold fungi and microorganisms.
Carpet can also cause allergic reactions. Often these disadvantages are eliminated or minimized with a powerful vacuum cleaner, regular cleaning or dry cleaning.
How to determine whether a carpet is of high quality? Here are a couple of tips:
- marked with the Latin letter L;
- characterized by uniform distribution of pile;
- does not crumble when tested for fracture.
So, should you install carpet in your kitchen? Worth it, but only high quality! To do this, you either need to take a little time and delve into the issue yourself, or, as we did, consult with experts from the Remontnick.ru store.
When choosing a floor covering, many people decide to opt for carpet. This is not at all surprising, because in retail outlets its range is very wide and, as a result, the buyer chooses a product in accordance with personal tastes and financial capabilities. And carpet can be on a natural or artificial basis, have a shorter or longer pile. There are also many color options to choose from. It can be woven or glued, the pile can be fixed with needles or flocking. And depending on the production method, both the service life and the comfort of using such a coating will change.
Carpet has a number of positive characteristics. It is hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly. It is easy to clean with a vacuum cleaner. It absorbs well sound waves and insulates the floor. Of course, there is the option of installing heated floors or choosing a carpet to fit, but this is most often expensive and not always acceptable. And the carpet is easy to choose the right size and color design, which is guaranteed to decorate any indoor interior. It is especially convenient that even in rooms with irregular geometry the floor can be covered completely and evenly.
When deciding between carpet or laminate, many prefer to choose the first option. After all, proper installation of laminate flooring requires serious professional skills. You must be able to cut laminate boards in right size, provide for expansion of the laminate from moisture. And the floor surface must be perfectly flat, otherwise there will be an increased load on the laminate locks. At the same time, laminate is easier to keep clean, but carpet is softer, insulates the floor well and creates true home comfort in the room.
The main thing is that the underlay for the carpet is also chosen correctly. Many generally argue that it is overkill. But this opinion is wrong - the underlay allows you to waterproof the floor, smooth out defects and unevenness, makes the floor softer and increases the wear resistance of the coating.
Which carpet to choose
The comfort of the room will depend on the quality of the carpet. If finances allow, then it is better to choose a coating made from natural materials. It is quite simple to distinguish natural components from artificial ones - under the influence of fire, the former will begin to smolder, and the latter will simply melt.
How to lay carpet with your own hands
There are several ways to lay carpet, which we will consider. Each has a number of advantages and disadvantages that should be considered to avoid mistakes later.
Gluing
This option allows you to securely fasten the coating over large areas, otherwise it may slip or swell, which will cause significant inconvenience. To prevent this, use various glues to connect the floor and covering. It can be PVA-based glue or another. More detailed advice on the use of glue can be obtained at any construction supermarket.
Gluing must be done according to certain rules. And the most important of them is to thoroughly expel the air from under the coating, for which you should level it with a roller from the center to the edges. The glue should dry for about 3 days, but correction of defects is permissible only until the glue has had time to dry.
The main advantage of this method, as well as the main disadvantage, is the reliability of the connection to the floor. After all, sooner or later the question will arise about how to remove the carpet when it is securely glued.
Free styling
This is perhaps the simplest and most common type of installation. It is very similar to how a carpet is laid, but at the same time the carpet has non-standard sizes. It should be laid on the floor surface and the air layer should be removed using a roller. Although it will still not be possible to completely get rid of the air cushion, small spaces it won't be too critical. Using this method allows you to maintain a good aesthetic appearance of the covering under the carpet.
Stretching
It should be chosen when it is planned to change the coating at certain intervals. Along the walls there are slats (called gripper slats) with two rows of sharp metal spikes. A felt backing is placed under the carpet and it is pulled using tools onto gripper slats.
This option does not require special preparation of the floor, because the carpet is constantly in tension, and this adds additional softness to the coating. And changing the coating is somewhat reminiscent of replacing the bumper on a smartphone - easy and quick. Of course, you can also use loose laying, which also makes it easy to change the coating. But in this case, reliability and quality will be significantly lower. It is permissible to use stretching in small rooms, the size of which is no more than 5 meters in length or width.
- Before laying the carpet, you definitely need to lay it out and let it rest - this will remove the folds;
- the edges of the carpet are trimmed with a margin of 10-15 centimeters;
- in order to remove excess at the corners, use a V-shaped cut;
- excess parts of the coating at the edges are cut off at the very end;
- the edges are fixed using a plinth, which is chosen to match the color of the carpet.
Conclusion
Carpet is excellent material for the floor. It does not require installation special effort and in some ways even resembles laying out a carpet. At the same time, the room creates warmth and comfort, as well as excellent sound and waterproofing when using the right substrate. In addition, cleaning carpet is not difficult. All this speaks in favor of the fact that carpet is comfortable and practical covering for the floor.
Video about correct installation carpet
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Carpets are one of the symbols of the Soviet era, which were considered an item of luxury and high prosperity.
Wealthy people tried to cover all the walls with carpets and cover all the floors in their house or apartment. Carpets were given as wedding gifts, given as a dowry to the bride, and bought at every opportunity, even if there was no room to place them in the house, so to speak, they were made profitable investment money.
To be or not to be?
Today, carpets that are similar to each other, like twins, are a thing of the past, and a huge assortment of carpet products and coverings, of different shapes and colors, with long and short pile, from natural and artificial threads, has appeared on the market.
Between those for whom having a carpet in the house is a necessity, and those who categorically disagree with this, there is a debate on the topic “is a carpet necessary in the house?” As you understand, there is not and cannot be a definite answer to this question. How many people, so many opinions. And who can forbid anyone from laying and hanging carpets in their home?
Let's just look at the pros and cons to understand why some people love carpets, while others consider them a relic of the past and an unnecessary thing. By the way, the carpets that appeared in ancient times, were mainly used not so much for beauty as for home insulation.
Today, times are different, and the warmth in the house is provided by completely different things. So let's figure out what role carpet products play in the lives of modern people?
Since we have already eliminated the need to use carpets as insulation, the main purpose of these products remains - interior design and creating comfort.
What attracts you to carpets?
- The presence of a carpet helps create a special atmosphere in the room. Soft carpet makes you want to walk barefoot, gives you the opportunity to play with your child on the floor, watch your favorite movie among the colorful pillows thrown on the floor.
- In addition, a deliberately bright carpet can be successful color accent in the interior and its real highlight. Fortunately, today there is such a choice of carpets that makes it possible to bring the most fantastic design ideas to life.
- With the help of a well-chosen carpet, you can perfectly zone a room or instantly create a completely different mood in it, without resorting to a radical alteration!
- If you do not have heated floors, and there is a baby in the house who likes to run barefoot, then carpeting is The best decision Problems.
These arguments are quite convincing and speak in favor of carpets. A well-chosen carpet can become the highlight of your home! And now the other side of the coin.
Cons of carpets
- Let's start with the fact that many “opponents” of carpet products are afraid of the need for careful care. In fact, this is true. Carpets, for all their advantages, tend to accumulate dust and dirt in their pile. But let's look at it from the other side. For carpet cleaning today there is a modern Appliances and excellent cleaning products. Now the problem has faded into the background!
- To ensure that your carpet always looks perfect, you can have it dry cleaned periodically. It is clear that these are additional financial costs, and you do not want to pay for them, then you should refuse the carpet.
- Well, there is one more drawback of carpets. They love to live in them small insects and microorganisms, but modern means for carpet processing are able to deal with such “guests” quickly and efficiently.
- In theory, carpets and carpet products can quickly ignite when ignited, but modern materials pass fire retardant treatment and have a high level of fire resistance. So in this sense there is no need to be afraid.
As you can see, whether to purchase a carpet or not is a decision that requires individual approach. It all depends on how you generally feel about this species products and how they fit into your ideas about interior beauty and comfort.
With all the seemingly obvious shortcomings of carpets today, you can easily deal with them and keep them clean without any problems.
To summarize, we can say that there were, are and will be carpets, but whether to lay them on the floor or hang them on the walls in your home is up to everyone to decide for themselves. And choose quality and beautiful product Today there is plenty!
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