When shopping for carpet, often the first thing that draws our attention is the color and style. But, if you want the look of your carpet to last, you’ll have to look a little deeper. Let's take a look at two of your options: nylon and polyester.

Both nylon and polyester are made of plastics. Nylon is a durable fiber with strong resiliency and the following qualities: good yarn memory to hold twists, good carpet cleaning efficiency, good stain resistance with stain treatment applied, good soil hiding ability, and good abrasion resistance. Nylon is a very strong material, which makes it ideal for heavy traffic areas and active families.

Many commercial facilities also choose nylon for its durability. It’s prone to static, but most nylon has an anti-static treatment applied to reduce this side effect. It also has continuous filament fibers that minimize pilling and shedding. Nylon carpet is a high-end product and is generally more expensive.

When it comes to style, polyester has some of the most beautiful colorations available. It's extremely fade resistant, helping to keep your carpet’s color beautiful longer. It’s very stain resistant as well. Polyester is not as resilient as nylon and is susceptible to crushing. You should look for high twist levels to combat yarn untwisting and matting.

Polyester offers a wide selection of textures and colors. It’s non-allergenic, sheds moisture, and resists moth damage and mildew at a more affordable price then nylon. It is susceptible to pilling, shedding, and oil stains; but otherwise, it cleans fairly easy.
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Polyester comes in many colors and textures, is extremely fade resistant, and has excellent resistance to stains but is not as resilient as nylon.  Nylon is very resilient and stands up to crushing, piling, and shedding; however, it is a costlier product than polyester. Be sure to consider not just style and color, but also budget and function when choosing carpet.
 
 

The great outdoors is amazing, especially when you have your own little piece of the outdoors at home. Maybe it's sitting on the patio or balcony reading, fun times by the pool, or a welcoming walkway in a garden or court yard. Either way, it's these outdoor spaces that really bring something extra to our homes. Let's take a look at how to make a welcoming outdoor space and the flooring you can use to do this.
 
One of the most popular outdoor spaces is the patio. These usually consist of a concrete slab off the house, sometimes with a roof to provide shade. A sliding glass door connecting your living space with your patio will make your living space feel open and add lots of natural light. You can take your patio to another level by continuing your flooring in the home out onto the patio. To do this, though, you will have to choose a floor covering that is suitable to be outdoors.
 
Floor coverings like hardwood, vinyl, ceramic tile, and carpet are not ideal for outdoor use or in any areas that are not regulated. (Some hard wood can be used outside but requires an extensive of amount of maintenance). If planning on using these kinds of floor coverings, keep in mind they are susceptible to moisture damage and not recommended for outdoor use. Still want to carry your wood or tile flooring outside? Well not to worry. There are several options available.
 
The WPC flooring category offers wood and stone looks that are perfect for indoor or outdoor spaces, allowing you to continue your look from the inside out. You may love sipping drinks and relaxing on your porch but hate the maintenance that comes with wood. The porch is a prime example of an area WPC wood-look flooring can bring a new look and more comfort to your outdoor space with less maintenance.
 
Tile is beautiful outdoors, whether it's on a patio, porch, walkway, or poolside. When opting for tile outdoors, stone or ceramics are not ideal because they absorb too much moisture. Stone and ceramic tile is also susceptible to cracking and breaking when the temperatures rise and fall. However, slip-resistant porcelain tile that is rated for outdoor use is perfect. Slate is also a great choice for outdoor spaces. When properly sealed, this natural stone is a champion of beauty and durability. Keep in mind that using larger-sized tiles can make your space feel bigger, and wood-look tile will add texture and warmth.
 
So, when looking to expand your home to the outdoors, remember to keep the space open to allow the outdoors in. Think outside the box when it comes to the walkways and floors. Remember the maintenance that will be needed for the flooring you choose and be sure to pick a floor covering that is not only beautiful but durable and meets your needs.

Gray wood or wood look has become a very popular choice in flooring. You can find gray tones in all types of flooring, from hardwood to tile. Before you start decorating though, you need to think of what style you want for your home. Whether classic or modern, rustic or traditional, gray wood looks come in many different textures and patterns to suit any décor. For a rustic look, pick a style that shows more texture like knots, mineral streaks, or an aged, distressed look. If you want more of a contemporary look, go for a gray wood flooring with a smooth, less grainy texture.

When choosing a gray tone, it all depends on the look you’re going for in your space. For example, if you want a contemporary vibe, lean toward the lighter grays that work best with more neutral colors like whites and pastels. This makes for a calming, clean, and peaceful look. Whether on the floor or the walls, lighter colors will also make your space feel more airy and spacious—something to keep in mind if you’re working with a small space.

For a more rustic feel, opt for a gray wood look that is warmer or mixed with light browns. This style works well with beige walls and makes for a much warmer feel. When you choose a gray wood style that is mixed with brown toned planks, it gives it a unique look, much like barn wood with its imperfect colors. With a darker gray wood, you can create a rich, visually stunning room. Dark colors tend to make a space feel smaller, so this style may do better in a larger space. Choosing a wall color like a white-toned gray helps to keep the space feeling open, and beige walls or accents can provide warmth. For an exciting splash of color, try an accent wall in a bold color like red. For an even more stunning look, take your gray flooring up the wall to create interest and texture. Keep fabrics and rugs solid colors so your space doesn’t look busy.

Gray wood patterns are available in tile, hardwood, luxury vinyl, and WPC flooring. Consider the function, size, and colors of your space to determine which type of flooring will work best. Whatever your taste or style, there’s a gray wood flooring out there for you. 

You’ve chosen some beautiful carpet. It matches your style, and you can't wait to have it installed. But, there’s something else you should consider before having your carpet installed—carpet underlay. What is carpet underlay; why is it beneficial; and what options are there in carpet underlay?

What is carpet underlay? Carpet underlay is commonly known as carpet pad and is a thin layer of cushion that’s applied to the subfloor before the carpet is installed. There are three standard types of carpet pad: felt, rubber, and foam. Felt is the thinnest and least expensive of the three. It’s made of wool and other fabrics. Rubber is more expensive, and due to its cross hatched design, it’s springy and breathable. Foam used to be a cheaper alternative to rubber, but due to the major improvements that have been made to foam, the prices can be comparable to that of rubber.

What does carpet pad do? Carpet pad adds extra cushion so your carpet will be soft underfoot. Carpet pad will help to cancel out noise so you don't have to hear every footstep. It also helps protect from moisture and mildew. Carpet pad also saves you money on heating and cooling by insulating your floors. Carpet pad can extend the life of your floor because it keeps your carpet from being ground down by the hard sub floor.

Now that you know some of the benefits of carpet pad, what traits should you look for in your pad to get the best results? Thickness and density are what makes for a more effective carpet pad. Thinner products like felt may be less expensive but will not give you the best results. The most commonly used carpet pad now is foam because it is much more effective than felt but generally not as expensive as rubber. Remember when choosing your carpet underlay that it will perform better if it is at least six to eight pounds’ density.

When it comes to deciding on thickness, it’s usually better to go with a thicker pad, but remember that your carpet brand may have certain pad requirements. In addition, if you have heated floors, you should let your carpet pad supplier know.
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Always take the needs of your home into consideration when picking the right carpet pad. If you want your carpet to be more comfortable, last longer, and save you money, you should definitely have carpet underlay.