The flooring you choose has a significant influence on the look, feel, and practicality of a room. There are a plenty of flooring options out there, but carpet stands out thanks to its exceptional combination of features. Carpet flooring offers several benefits, including being comfortable, safe, aesthetically versatile, affordable, and contributing to a healthier and more sustainable living environment. We’ll go over these and more in this post.
How Carpet can Benefit Your Everyday Life?
1. Carpet is inexpensive.
Carpet is typically the most budget-friendly option when looking at floor coverings. This is because carpet is very easy to install compared to hard flooring and sheet vinyl, and the materials are also less expensive. The whole cost of replacing an entry-level home carpet, including removing the old carpet and laying new carpet and underlay, is affordable at Floor Decor.
2. Carpet Makes Your Home Cozier
Floors that aren’t insulated well can be responsible for ten to twenty percent of a home’s heat loss. The thermal resistance rating (R-Value) of carpet and underlay acts as insulation, keeping your home warmer and dryer. Compared to hard floor coverings like vinyl or timber, the insulation value of carpet can be up to ten times higher, meaning that you will be kept warmer during cold winters and your electricity bill will be lower. If you’re looking for a floor covering that will put you to sleep, look no further than carpet. With a deep underlay and a plush carpet, you’ll feel like you’re sleeping on clouds.
3. Reduces the Risk of Severe Falls
In homes with young children or the elderly, carpeting is a smart choice. Having carpet installed in the family home reduces the likelihood of slipping over compared to tiles or wooden floors. Additionally, if an accident does occur, the carpet and underlay lessen the impact. In the past few years, falling over was the most common injury in New Zealand, and falls accounted for more than 60% of all ACC claims in the 85+ age group. A specialized underlay that we can install makes it easy for wheelchairs to navigate carpet while also providing an additional barrier against falls. This is available if you are caring for an elderly person or someone who requires wheelchair access.
4. The absorption of sound by carpet lowers noise levels
Carpeting is a great sound absorber and the only flooring material that can completely silence thumping feet and other abrupt impacts.
As anyone who has ever worked from home in an area with hard flooring knows, carpet absorbs sound and dampens reverberations, which helps to decrease echoes and lower the overall ambient noise in the room, making TVs and sound systems sound clearer. The noise reduction coefficient of a hardwood floor is about 0.09, whereas that of carpet laid on underlay is about 0.65, meaning that the carpet takes in about 65% of the room’s noise.
In multi-story homes, where the sound of foot traffic can be a problem for those on lower floors, a sound-dampening underlay is an excellent choice. At Floor Decor, we use carpets known for their acoustic properties, which help reduce noise even further.
With that additional barrier, you may rest easy, get some work done, or just chill out.
5. Carpet improves indoor air quality
These days, you may find anti-allergenic carpets that also resist mold and mildew, so your house will be healthier and dryer. If you take good care of your carpet and vacuum it frequently, the high surface area of the fibers will act as a filter, removing dust and pollen from the air you breathe.
Research has demonstrated that wool carpet fibers can absorb some airborne pollutants and retain them even when heated, making wool carpet a popular choice for improving indoor air quality. The regulating influence of wool on the indoor atmosphere is another notable quality of wool. In the dry, hot summer months, wool fibers release the moisture they’ve absorbed, lowering the risk of respiratory sickness.
Conclusion
A high-quality carpet and underlay have several uses beyond just making your floor more comfortable. They include improved thermal insulation, longer carpet life, more comfortable flooring, and balanced sound. Choosing the correct carpet and underlay for your home is an investment in its long-term beauty and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are the main benefits of installing carpet in my home?
Carpet offers several benefits, including cost-effectiveness, improved insulation, enhanced comfort, reduced risk of falls, sound absorption, and improved indoor air quality.
2. How does carpet improve indoor air quality?
Carpets can trap dust, pollen, and other allergens, acting as a filter to keep the air cleaner. Anti-allergenic carpets and wool carpets, in particular, help improve indoor air quality by absorbing airborne pollutants.
3. Is carpet a good option for homes with children or elderly residents?
Yes, carpet reduces the risk of slips and falls compared to hard flooring options. It also provides a softer landing surface, reducing the severity of injuries if a fall occurs.
4. How does carpet help with soundproofing?
Carpet absorbs sound and dampens reverberations, making rooms quieter and reducing noise levels. This is particularly beneficial in multi-story homes.
5. Can carpet help with insulation?
Yes, carpet and underlay have high thermal resistance, providing excellent insulation. This helps keep your home warmer in the winter and can reduce heating costs.
6. Is carpet affordable compared to other flooring options?
Carpet is typically more budget-friendly than many other flooring options. It is less expensive to install, and the materials are generally more affordable.
7. How do I maintain my carpet?
Regular vacuuming and occasional deep cleaning with an approved cleaner are sufficient to keep your carpet looking good. Promptly addressing spills and stains can also help maintain the carpet’s appearance.
8. Can carpet increase the resale value of my home?
High-quality carpets can add value to your home by enhancing its overall aesthetic appeal and comfort. Well-maintained carpets can make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
9. Are modern carpets resistant to mold and mildew?
Yes, many modern carpets are designed to resist mold and mildew, contributing to a healthier home environment.
10. Are there special considerations for homes with pets?
Yes, choosing a carpet with a high durability rating and stain resistance is advisable for homes with pets. Regular cleaning is also important to maintain the carpet’s appearance and hygiene.
Feel free to contact Floor Decor for more information or to explore our range of carpet options tailored to meet your needs.