The case for carpet

For those who prefer the plush pile of carpet beneath their feet, new materials and innovative adhesive provide modern options.

A matter of material: Nylon is the most durable of all carpet fibers, according to Valerie Ottaviano, vice president of product design at Bentley Prince Street, Inc., a California-based carpet and rug company.

When it comes to purely natural materials like straw, sisal and wool, she urges consumers to think twice.

They look great but can be tough to clean, Ottaviano says. Sisal rugs dont react well to water or cleaners, for example. Something made with a solution dye may not be natural, but it can give you better performance, depending on your household.

Green is growing: Like all home industries, carpet makers are looking into sustainable options. Post-consumer nylon can be weaved back into new fibers.

We can actually strip previously used carpet, shave off the top and put that back into a new fiber while still creating premium-quality carpet, Ottaviano says.

Theres now carpet available that is made from yarn composed of used fishing nets. The production process is fed by different streams of post-consumer carpets, used fabrics and fishing nets together with industrial discards from all over the world. This is really innovative, eco-friendly fiber and it looks gorgeous, Ottaviano says.

Mix and match: Modular carpet tiles make it easier for those who dont want to make a big, permanent decision about a large area. FLOR, a leading carpet tile company based in Chicago, has gained a lot of momentum in the past few years for its ease of installation, maintenance and durability.

These carpet tiles can be arranged according to each persons preference for area rugs, runners or play areas.

This DIY solution may have a higher up-front cost, but the tiles are removable, washable and can be moved from home to home, which can make it a more cost-effective option.

Read the original here:
The case for carpet