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What Is Carpet Padding And Why Do I Need It?

When you’re installing new carpeting, you want to get it right the first time.  Failing to choose the right carpeting or failing to install it properly can result in time and money wasted.  At Lane Sales, we want to direct you to the carpeting that’s going to work best for your home or business, and part of that is encouraging that you use carpet padding.  However, you shouldn’t just take our word for it.  Below, we would like to educate you on what carpet padding is and why you should install it.

What Are They?

Carpet padding is strips of padding that are installed under your carpeting for the purpose of increased shock absorption and reduced stress on carpet fibers.  Just like with most products, carpet padding comes in a variety of materials, some of which may sound familiar to you.  A popular option for carpet padding is Memory Foam, found commonly in mattresses, as well as Scotchgard™ foam and Step Ahead Carpet Cushion.  The thickness of the padding also matters, and the thicker it is the more protection it will offer.

Why Get Them?

Because carpet padding reduces stress on carpet fibers, carpet padding can actually make your carpet last longer than if you didn’t install carpet padding.  Though carpet padding will cost you extra money, this money can be saved in that you may no longer need to replace your carpet anytime soon.  Carpet padding also just makes the floor more comfortable to walk or lie down on.  You don’t often notice carpet padding because the padding is what makes the carpet feel like a carpet.  If you’ve ever been in a home or office that doesn’t use carpet padding, you notice, as it sticks out as being specifically uncomfortable.

Though certainly more noticeable and appreciated in spaces that are meant to be comfortable, such as homes and lounges, all carpeting should be padded.  For all carpeting and carpet padding needs, contact Lane Sales today!

Consider Reflooring Before Selling Your Home

Placing your home on the market is stressful.  Whether you’re moving for work, need a change of scenery, or can no longer afford your home, you want to make as much money as possible.  Though home renovations can cost a significant chunk of change, they can be just the boost you need to make your home into the bombshell you know it can be.  Redoing your floors can be a great investment in the overall value of your home.

Fresh Carpeting

Though new carpeting is always a nice touch, if you’ve had pets in your home, you may want to seriously consider tearing up your old carpeting and going with something fresh.  Even the most well-behaved pets have accidents, and not only that, but their hair tends to get bunched up in carpeting, which can not only smell bad, but can irritate those with allergies as well.  The last thing you want at an open house is for someone to be allergic to the home you’re trying to sell them.  Carpeting comes in so many variations that it’s a powerful, yet simple way to totally change the look of a room in your home.

Hardwood Floors

Whether or not you’ve always had hardwood floors or are only thinking about installing them now, new hardwood floors are a huge selling point in any home sale.  We’ve all read those ads in the subway newspapers for luxury real estate in New York City, if for no other reason than to fantasize about a potential future home.  In their special features, they list doormen, building amenities, floor-to-ceiling windows, and, you guessed it, hardwood floors.  Simply elegant, hardwood floors are rarely a detriment to the look of any home.  If, however, hardwood just isn’t your style, you can cover up your flooring with fun and interesting area rugs.  Hardwood floors allow for the best of both worlds, which can be a selling point in and of itself.

The flooring in your home can be a make or break factor when trying to sell.  Though it may seem costly at first, redoing your floors will end up adding value to your home, making a sale bigger and easier.  Contact Lane Sales today to redo your home floors!

What Type of Carpet is Right for You?

squarecarpetAs a premier commercial carpets manufacturers representative, Lane Sales knows a thing or two about quality carpets.Today we’ll be going over a few differences between the types of fibers that are used to make carpet. There are many other types of floors to choose from like laminate and hardwood flooring, but today we’ll focus specifically on the differences between wool and synthetic carpeting, and also a couple of the main differences between residential carpet and commercial carpet and what to expect in those.

Carpet is made of up very small individual fibers that come together to make a whole. What makes carpets different is the type of fiber used. Some are long and provide a lot of cushion, others are short and provide a firm surface that does not wear down and is good for withstanding lots of traffic. Carpets come in all colors and patterns that can be made to fit any room or setting. Let’s look at a couple different types of fibers.

Wool Carpet

This is the most luxurious and premier option when it comes to carpet choices. It has a soft, elegant vibe and feel. A couple drawbacks of wool carpeting are that bald spots can sometimes occur in spots where it sees heavy foot traffic, so put wool carpeting in a den or a more quiet location where it will be seen but not treaded on constantly. Also, wool carpeting is less resistant to sunlight than nylon and other synthetic carpets, making it a poor choice for a spot right next to a window or an area that receives heavy sun during the day.

Nylon Carpet

A very popular choice because of its balance between durability and beauty, nylon carpeting is the strongest fiber and an excellent choice for commercial flooring or for areas in a home that receive heavy foot traffic. Nylon fiber is also very stain resistant, especially when it is coated with stain treatment. 65% of the carpet in the United States is made of nylon fiber, and it is so popular because this material does a wonderful job of blending elegance, durability, and is able to fit into many people’s price range.

Commercial Carpet

Commercial carpeting is used mostly in environments that are going to be very busy and have a lot of floor traffic. For this reason, commercial carpeting’s biggest strength is its durability. This style of flooring is designed to withstand the heavy footsteps of a hectic atmosphere.

Another strength of commercial carpeting is its affordability. Generally, commercial carpeting can be obtained at a reasonable price and be a good investment because of its durability and how long this style of carpet tends to last.

 Residential Carpet

Unlike commercial carpets, residential carpeting focuses on and has its greatest strength in its aesthetic appeal. There are very professional looking commercial choices, but this is what to look into when elegance and style are your biggest concern.  Residential flooring also tends to be more comfortable to walk on. With more cushion and padding in these styles, it makes for a softer landing for your feet and for a nicer walk from the den to the kitchen. It may not have the durability of commercial flooring, but that won’t be a major issue in a home or another place that is going to get less traffic.

How to Choose the Right Commercial or Residential Flooring

Choosing the right flooring can be tricky because there are many considerations. Are you purchasing flooring for commercial use or will you require it for your residence? Knowing about durability, high-traffic versus low-traffic areas and more will help you make a more informed decision on flooring.

If you are in the market for residential flooring, consider the type of room you will be covering.  Is it your living room, dining room, bedroom, office space, kid’s play room, etc? Even though each of these areas is located in one space, your home, they can require a different type of flooring to maximize your return on investment through budget and wear and tear. Because there are varying flooring options that can correspond with a room, we have outlined a few guidelines to help you determine the best flooring for you and your family’s needs.

Step 1: Determine whether an area is high-traffic or low-traffic.

Residential Low-Traffic Flooring Options

Low-traffic areas are any places where foot traffic is light and includes traffic that is mostly sedentary as well. For example, while you may spend most of your time in the living room, chances are it is still a low traffic area since most of your time is spent sitting.  

Other areas that are low-traffic include kitchens, dens, dining rooms and bedrooms. In low-traffic areas you can get away with flooring that is less resilient and more comfort-based. High-quality carpet is perfect in low-traffic rooms for this reason. However, carpet in kitchens and bathrooms is not practical from a cleanliness standpoint. For those areas, laminate, tile or sealed-wood flooring is generally resilient enough to handle food and water spillage, while remaining cost-effective and durable.

Residential High-Traffic Flooring Options

Watch any home improvement show and you will notice that the area with the most worn flooring is always located in the home’s hallways or entryways. In a commercial unit, common areas like public restrooms, elevators or stairs qualify as high-traffic areas.

To sustain flooring over time in high-traffic areas, select flooring made from harder materials. Tile, wood, and bamboo are a few examples of great high-traffic flooring options. While hard surface flooring can be more expensive, in many cases you can tailor your options to meet your budget without sacrificing quality or durability in the long run. Industrial strength carpet exists for commercial units as well. We do not recommend this flooring type for residential use because the feel and texture of commercial carpet is much rougher and less desirable for the function of a home.

Commercial Heavy-Traffic Flooring Options

If you are exclusively in the commercial market then there is an additional category: heavy-traffic. Heavy-traffic areas in commercial units include office “war rooms”, break rooms, cafeterias, and lobbies.

This type of flooring requires a unique approach and can often include a bit of customization. For example, for a room with multiple office spaces, the flooring will need to withstand the wear and tear of stationary objects that can settle in one area as well as mobile objects like roller chairs. To better maintain flooring in a commercial unit, consider carpet tiles instead of traditionally installed carpet. This options lowers replacement costs, as you can replace a few squares at a time in areas that are more worn than others.

There are many other kinds of commercial and residential flooring options for you to choose from. If you are ready to make your flooring selection, feel free to speak to one of the specialists at Lane Sales. Our team would be happy to walk you through your options to help you settle on the one perfect for you.