Carpet Center and Floors
Michigan's premier carpet and floor store.Carpet Center & Floors
Frequently Asked Carpet Questions
1. What warranties do you carry on your carpet?
2 . What does "twist" mean?
3 . How important is the pad under my carpet?
4. Why does berber feel so hard? Why do I have to use this strange padding? Why can't you install bonded pad under berber?
5 . Can I use my existing pad?
6 . Does your carpet have stain-guard? Is it odor-resistant?
7 . What should I look for in selecting a carpet?
8 . How will I know which carpet will be the best choice for my lifestyle and budget?
9 . Do you have any tips to help me choose a color?
10 . Why is there such a big difference in price between the cheapest and most expensive carpets?
11 . What are the most popular carpet fibers?
12 . Is there ever a sound case for buying the very cheapest carpets?
13 . Can I install the carpet myself?
14 . Should I vacuum my new carpet?
15 . How often should I vacuum my carpet?
16 . Can I avoid seeing seams?
17 . What is the best way to remove stains?
1. What warranties do you carry on your carpets?
Everything that we carry is first quality from the manufacturer, so all of our products carry the full factory warranty. Plus, we back up everything with our ironclad labor guarantee.
Back to top
2. What does "twist" mean?
The best way to describe twist is for you to think of the spring in a ball point pen - the tighter you compress the spring, the more bounce there will be when it springs back. Twist is like the spring, generally, the tighter the twist; the more likely it is to "bounce back". Higher twist levels allow your carpet to maintain its original appearance longer.
Back to top
3. How important is the pad under my carpet?
The cushion under your carpet is one of its most important components. It is the base that helps the carpet retain its texture and appearance. A cushion is sold by its thickness and density. Low quality pad (i.e., a pad that is too soft) can adversely affect the performance of the carpet. Also, a pad that is too thick may interfere with the anchoring of the carpet.
Back to top
4. Why does berber feel so hard?
Why does berber feel so hard? Berber is a stiffer product due to its fiber content, and its construction. Berber is a loop carpet usually made of polypropylene (olefin). Check with your salesperson because some types of berber can be installed over an 8 lb bonded pad to give it a softer feel.
Back to top
5. Can I use my existing pad?
No, the manufacturer will not warrant the carpet if you use your old pad.
Back to top
6. Does your carpet have stain-guard?
There is no such thing as odor-resistant or stain-proof carpet. However, a stain-resistant carpet will give you a window of opportunity to clean a stain before it sets into the fibers. The best protection for your carpet is proper cleaning and maintenance.
Back to top
7. What should I look for in selecting a carpet?
The decorative effect of your new carpet will be an important factor in your choice. In the showroom, you will be seeking certain colors and patterns that you think will best suit your particular room and your decor. However, there are also many factors of quality to be considered. By looking at and handling samples in the showroom, and discussing them with the salesperson, you will be better able to choose the product that will most closely meet all your requirements and your pocketbook.
Back to top
8. How will I know which carpet will be the best choice for my lifestyle and budget?
The best approach would be for you to familiarize yourself with some basics about carpet construction before you go shopping. The following guidelines might help:
Textured Plush is a cut pile with a textured surface that helps hide footprints and vacuum marks. Imagine your carpet still looking great between vacuuming!
Saxony is a cut pile which shows subtle highlights and accents, and has a luxuriously smooth, soft surface. Most often used to add a distinctive elegance to living and dining rooms.
Cut&Loop adds a carved definition by combining a cut pile with a loop pile. This helps to hide soil and stains. It also hides sweeper marks between vacuuming. The multiple colored design is offered in soft tones to bold colors.
Berber Loop-Pile has a natural, wool-like look which creates a warm, personal atmosphere with contemporary to country to cottage furnishings. It's tight loop texture helps to hide footprints and vacuum marks.
Cut Berber has the great plush feel of thick, cut pile carpet with subtle color flecks to help hide soil that might appear between cleanings. Adds personality to any room!
Back to top
9. Do you have any tips to help me choose a color?
As the two largest areas in a room, the carpet and walls control the color theme. In selecting colors, don't feel limited by the room as it is today. Aim for the right color scheme, starting off with the carpet. Paint or wallpaper is relatively inexpensive. Draperies can be easily changed, and reupholstering or covers can change the entire feel of a room.
Color and texture affect the character of our rooms. Rooms that lack sunlight can be warmed and lightened with sunny yellow, apricot, or soft warm beige. Cool colors, such as blues and greens, soften or cool a room with lots of windows or a sunny exposure.
Light colors generally show fewer footprints, dark colors show less soil and stains. A dull yarn will show fewer footprints, while a shiny yarn will show more highlights and accents. To minimize maintenance, light colors are best restricted to areas of the house such as formal living rooms, dining rooms, and guest bedrooms. Multiple colors and patterns in carpets are extremely effective in minimizing the effects of everyday dirt and soil.
Back to top
10. Why is there such a big difference in price between the cheapest and most expensive carpets?
The price difference arises because of differences in quality, including such factors as: the fiber material of which the pile is made; the density of the pile; the length of the pile above the backing; the finished weight of the pile; the number of colors woven in, the nature of the pattern, and the degree of colorfastness; treatments applied to the fiber, to the backing or to the finished carpet to improve attributes such as fire resistance, staining resistance, and freedom from static electricity. As when buying any other product, you only get what you pay for!
Back to top
11. What are the most popular carpet fibers?
Nylon is the most frequently used carpet fiber; it is exceptionally durable, versatile, and is reasonably priced. You can find nylon in a myriad of colors, and in numerous styles and textures. Polyester has good colorfastness, and is resistant to water-soluble stains. Polypropylene, also known as olefin, resists fading and stains, and generated low levels of static electricity. Polypropylene is favorably priced and can be engineered for outdoor applications. Wool is the most expensive of the carpet fibers, it is a natural fiber with a scaly character that scatters light and reduces visible soil.
The performance and quality of a carpet is directly related to the amount and quality of the fiber that goes into the pile. The better the fiber and the denser it is packed, the better the carpet will perform. Thin, less dense carpet will lose its surface appearance faster. It is best to buy the highest quality you can afford.
Back to top
12. Is there ever a sound case for buying the very cheapest carpets?
Clearly some people think so, but it's doubtful if one really gets good value for money. The initial investment is less. However, one will have to replace it much sooner. On the other hand, it must be admitted that some people consider they get good value by buying cheap carpets that have poor wearing quality and replacing them quite frequently.
Back to top
13. Can I install the carpet myself?
Proper installation is as important as the original quality and durability of the carpet. An improperly installed carpet will not look as good nor last as long and can cause buckling, wrinkles, and loss of tufts in the seam areas. Be sure to have a professional installer install your new carpet. Certain standards must be followed to qualify for all carpet warranties.
Back to top
14. Should I vacuum my new carpet?
Yes. Vacuuming of your new carpet is strongly recommended, and this routine should commence the very moment the carpet is laid. A build-up of soiling in your carpet can occur quite quickly, and can cause premature deterioration of the yarn affecting the good appearance of your carpet.
Back to top
15. How often should I vacuum my carpet?
Most dirt, and even dust, takes the form of hard particles. When left in the carpet, these gritty sharp particles abrade the pile of the carpet. Regular vacuuming not only prolongs the life of the carpet but will enhance its appearance as well. Most soiling in carpet is of the dry particulate type that can be removed with a vacuum cleaner.
It is best to vacuum high traffic areas daily, medium to high traffic areas twice weekly, and the entire house at least once a week. Use a vacuum with a rotating brush or beater bar. Change the bags often and check the beater bars for burrs or gouges so as not to damage the surface of the carpet. Some thick loop pile carpets will fuzz if a rotating brush vacuum is used. In this case we recommend a suction vacuum only.
Back to top
16. Can I avoid seeing seams?
A seam may be required during the installation of your carpet, depending on the dimensions of the room. Seams do show, and some show more than others do. There are no invisible seams.
Back to top
17. What is the best way to remove stains?
For any stain removal, use a white cloth or paper towels for cleanup. Treatment of the affected area should begin immediately upon discovery. The more time that elapses before treatment, the more difficult a stain will be to remove. Always work from the outer edge of the stain towards the center to avoid spreading. Blot, do not rub or scrub, as the carpet may fuzz. Check out our stain removal link.
Most supermarkets carry a spot remover kits.
Back to top
2 . What does "twist" mean?
3 . How important is the pad under my carpet?
4. Why does berber feel so hard? Why do I have to use this strange padding? Why can't you install bonded pad under berber?
5 . Can I use my existing pad?
6 . Does your carpet have stain-guard? Is it odor-resistant?
7 . What should I look for in selecting a carpet?
8 . How will I know which carpet will be the best choice for my lifestyle and budget?
9 . Do you have any tips to help me choose a color?
10 . Why is there such a big difference in price between the cheapest and most expensive carpets?
11 . What are the most popular carpet fibers?
12 . Is there ever a sound case for buying the very cheapest carpets?
13 . Can I install the carpet myself?
14 . Should I vacuum my new carpet?
15 . How often should I vacuum my carpet?
16 . Can I avoid seeing seams?
17 . What is the best way to remove stains?
1. What warranties do you carry on your carpets?
Everything that we carry is first quality from the manufacturer, so all of our products carry the full factory warranty. Plus, we back up everything with our ironclad labor guarantee.
Back to top
2. What does "twist" mean?
The best way to describe twist is for you to think of the spring in a ball point pen - the tighter you compress the spring, the more bounce there will be when it springs back. Twist is like the spring, generally, the tighter the twist; the more likely it is to "bounce back". Higher twist levels allow your carpet to maintain its original appearance longer.
Back to top
3. How important is the pad under my carpet?
The cushion under your carpet is one of its most important components. It is the base that helps the carpet retain its texture and appearance. A cushion is sold by its thickness and density. Low quality pad (i.e., a pad that is too soft) can adversely affect the performance of the carpet. Also, a pad that is too thick may interfere with the anchoring of the carpet.
Back to top
4. Why does berber feel so hard?
Why does berber feel so hard? Berber is a stiffer product due to its fiber content, and its construction. Berber is a loop carpet usually made of polypropylene (olefin). Check with your salesperson because some types of berber can be installed over an 8 lb bonded pad to give it a softer feel.
Back to top
5. Can I use my existing pad?
No, the manufacturer will not warrant the carpet if you use your old pad.
Back to top
6. Does your carpet have stain-guard?
There is no such thing as odor-resistant or stain-proof carpet. However, a stain-resistant carpet will give you a window of opportunity to clean a stain before it sets into the fibers. The best protection for your carpet is proper cleaning and maintenance.
Back to top
7. What should I look for in selecting a carpet?
The decorative effect of your new carpet will be an important factor in your choice. In the showroom, you will be seeking certain colors and patterns that you think will best suit your particular room and your decor. However, there are also many factors of quality to be considered. By looking at and handling samples in the showroom, and discussing them with the salesperson, you will be better able to choose the product that will most closely meet all your requirements and your pocketbook.
Back to top
8. How will I know which carpet will be the best choice for my lifestyle and budget?
The best approach would be for you to familiarize yourself with some basics about carpet construction before you go shopping. The following guidelines might help:
Textured Plush is a cut pile with a textured surface that helps hide footprints and vacuum marks. Imagine your carpet still looking great between vacuuming!
Saxony is a cut pile which shows subtle highlights and accents, and has a luxuriously smooth, soft surface. Most often used to add a distinctive elegance to living and dining rooms.
Cut&Loop adds a carved definition by combining a cut pile with a loop pile. This helps to hide soil and stains. It also hides sweeper marks between vacuuming. The multiple colored design is offered in soft tones to bold colors.
Berber Loop-Pile has a natural, wool-like look which creates a warm, personal atmosphere with contemporary to country to cottage furnishings. It's tight loop texture helps to hide footprints and vacuum marks.
Cut Berber has the great plush feel of thick, cut pile carpet with subtle color flecks to help hide soil that might appear between cleanings. Adds personality to any room!
Back to top
9. Do you have any tips to help me choose a color?
As the two largest areas in a room, the carpet and walls control the color theme. In selecting colors, don't feel limited by the room as it is today. Aim for the right color scheme, starting off with the carpet. Paint or wallpaper is relatively inexpensive. Draperies can be easily changed, and reupholstering or covers can change the entire feel of a room.
Color and texture affect the character of our rooms. Rooms that lack sunlight can be warmed and lightened with sunny yellow, apricot, or soft warm beige. Cool colors, such as blues and greens, soften or cool a room with lots of windows or a sunny exposure.
Light colors generally show fewer footprints, dark colors show less soil and stains. A dull yarn will show fewer footprints, while a shiny yarn will show more highlights and accents. To minimize maintenance, light colors are best restricted to areas of the house such as formal living rooms, dining rooms, and guest bedrooms. Multiple colors and patterns in carpets are extremely effective in minimizing the effects of everyday dirt and soil.
Back to top
10. Why is there such a big difference in price between the cheapest and most expensive carpets?
The price difference arises because of differences in quality, including such factors as: the fiber material of which the pile is made; the density of the pile; the length of the pile above the backing; the finished weight of the pile; the number of colors woven in, the nature of the pattern, and the degree of colorfastness; treatments applied to the fiber, to the backing or to the finished carpet to improve attributes such as fire resistance, staining resistance, and freedom from static electricity. As when buying any other product, you only get what you pay for!
Back to top
11. What are the most popular carpet fibers?
Nylon is the most frequently used carpet fiber; it is exceptionally durable, versatile, and is reasonably priced. You can find nylon in a myriad of colors, and in numerous styles and textures. Polyester has good colorfastness, and is resistant to water-soluble stains. Polypropylene, also known as olefin, resists fading and stains, and generated low levels of static electricity. Polypropylene is favorably priced and can be engineered for outdoor applications. Wool is the most expensive of the carpet fibers, it is a natural fiber with a scaly character that scatters light and reduces visible soil.
The performance and quality of a carpet is directly related to the amount and quality of the fiber that goes into the pile. The better the fiber and the denser it is packed, the better the carpet will perform. Thin, less dense carpet will lose its surface appearance faster. It is best to buy the highest quality you can afford.
Back to top
12. Is there ever a sound case for buying the very cheapest carpets?
Clearly some people think so, but it's doubtful if one really gets good value for money. The initial investment is less. However, one will have to replace it much sooner. On the other hand, it must be admitted that some people consider they get good value by buying cheap carpets that have poor wearing quality and replacing them quite frequently.
Back to top
13. Can I install the carpet myself?
Proper installation is as important as the original quality and durability of the carpet. An improperly installed carpet will not look as good nor last as long and can cause buckling, wrinkles, and loss of tufts in the seam areas. Be sure to have a professional installer install your new carpet. Certain standards must be followed to qualify for all carpet warranties.
Back to top
14. Should I vacuum my new carpet?
Yes. Vacuuming of your new carpet is strongly recommended, and this routine should commence the very moment the carpet is laid. A build-up of soiling in your carpet can occur quite quickly, and can cause premature deterioration of the yarn affecting the good appearance of your carpet.
Back to top
15. How often should I vacuum my carpet?
Most dirt, and even dust, takes the form of hard particles. When left in the carpet, these gritty sharp particles abrade the pile of the carpet. Regular vacuuming not only prolongs the life of the carpet but will enhance its appearance as well. Most soiling in carpet is of the dry particulate type that can be removed with a vacuum cleaner.
It is best to vacuum high traffic areas daily, medium to high traffic areas twice weekly, and the entire house at least once a week. Use a vacuum with a rotating brush or beater bar. Change the bags often and check the beater bars for burrs or gouges so as not to damage the surface of the carpet. Some thick loop pile carpets will fuzz if a rotating brush vacuum is used. In this case we recommend a suction vacuum only.
Back to top
16. Can I avoid seeing seams?
A seam may be required during the installation of your carpet, depending on the dimensions of the room. Seams do show, and some show more than others do. There are no invisible seams.
Back to top
17. What is the best way to remove stains?
For any stain removal, use a white cloth or paper towels for cleanup. Treatment of the affected area should begin immediately upon discovery. The more time that elapses before treatment, the more difficult a stain will be to remove. Always work from the outer edge of the stain towards the center to avoid spreading. Blot, do not rub or scrub, as the carpet may fuzz. Check out our stain removal link.
Most supermarkets carry a spot remover kits.
Back to top
Have a question?
- We are here to help! Email or call one of our locations today with any questions regarding your carpet.
