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Godfrey Hirst
https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=22364
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Author:  buildingadreamhome [ Aug 21, 2009 12:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Godfrey Hirst

We are looking at a Godfrey Hirst Statron Solution Dyed Nylon Cut Twist Pile carpet (ok so that was a mouthful! :)] ) and I was wondering if anyone has had this brand and type of carpet installed? How does it wear? It feels really nice to touch and we would get the best underlay possible. It's also going on stairs.

Any feedback would be great! Thanks :D

Author:  royalblue [ Aug 22, 2009 4:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

Hi,
I'd need to know which specific carpet/s you are looking at to offer comments that may be of help. What you have specified is a manufacturer (Godfrey Hirst) a yarn type (Statron SDN) and that it is a twist pile. That could be a good number of carpets, all with their own characteristics.

Is there any specific things about the carpets you are looking at that appeals to you? What are the main things you want in your carpets? Any info about the service life that is expected?

Ash.

Author:  buildingadreamhome [ Aug 22, 2009 10:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

Hi Ash

It's called Lantana and the colour was Ebony (I think!). It had a 15 year warranty.

Basically I want something that won't stain (we have little kids) and feels nice and soft to touch (with some movement in the pile) but it can't be wool. Needs to go on stairs as well bedrooms and some living areas including a toy room. I'd certainly like it to last for a good 15-20 years if possible!!

Thanks!

Author:  royalblue [ Aug 27, 2009 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

Sorry. Just getting back to you....

Why do you say you can't have wool carpets? :?

Longevity of carpets comes down to a number of factors;

Resilience
Appearance retention
Density
Backing type & density
General quality of construction
Yarn type & method of construction
Underlay type
Quality of installation
How well it is maintained
Choice of carpet cleaner
Lifestyle and home design
Etc etc.

Forget about those warranties. They have little bearing on actual performance, and are usually more a sales ploy than anything else.

Something that won't stain? :roll: That is a common thing people want. The reality is, most of the carpets that boast the greatest stain resistance (like polypropylenes and SDN's) have other issues that make them less than desirable. Most any carpet can last for many years without permanent staining, if you apply some simple maintenance principles and clean things up correctly. Other factors such as fibre resilience will have a far greater effect on the overall appearance over time than its stain resistance!

Ash.

Author:  buildingadreamhome [ Aug 27, 2009 9:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

Hi Ash

The big reason I don't want wool is that it makes me itch. I have very sensitive skin that just can't handle it.

So what would you recommend that Godfrey Hirst?

Thanks

Author:  royalblue [ Aug 29, 2009 1:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

buildingadreamhome buildingadreamhome
Hi Ash

The big reason I don't want wool is that it makes me itch. I have very sensitive skin that just can't handle it.

So what would you recommend that Godfrey Hirst?

Thanks


OK that's a shame! :( Not wanting to push you towards wool if you really can't live with it, but are you sure a wool CARPET is a problem for you? After all, you don't wear it, its under foot. I'm not sure, but I believe even with wool clothing, there are various wool types, some which may cause itching for some people and others are not problematic. Have you actually had problems with a wool carpet or are you assuming the wool carpets can be a prob?

Reason I ask is that wool offers some of the best qualities that make them long lasting and attractive. They have unsurpassed resilience and appearance retention.

Having said that, there are still some excellent nylon carpets that can go the distance. I would probably steer you towards NOT the solution dyed nylons (SDNs) but other quality nylon carpets. Dense pile nylon carpets but not too thick are the go, in cut pile or hard twist pile.



Ash.

Author:  Col Nation [ Aug 31, 2009 9:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

Just to add to Ash's comments the SDNs (coloured plastic fibres)are quite varied and some are better than others.

Each manufacturer can pick and choose between the manufacturers of SDNs. The difference in performance can be quite astounding. This includes wear and stain resistance.

The alternatives can also have their problems. Post dyed nylons (white nylon that is dyed after making the fibre.) can be subject to severe fading, hence the swing towards SDNs.

The alternatives are polyester and polypropylene. These are also solution dyed but have poorer resiliance, although they have better stain resistance to water based stains. The disadvantage of the latter two is that they soil much quicker to oily type soils

Author:  thlo [ Sep 10, 2009 3:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

I heard and read that polypropylene always looks dirty (except after frequent carpet cleaning) as it soaks up oils and attracts dirt. Is this a fair comment?

Author:  royalblue [ Sep 10, 2009 8:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

thlo thlo
I heard and read that polypropylene always looks dirty (except after frequent carpet cleaning) as it soaks up oils and attracts dirt. Is this a fair comment?


Yeah its a fair enough comment.

Polypropylene carpets are often promoted as being hard wearing and for having great stain resistance. In theory, the fibres have virtually no absorbency, so will not allow liquids and dyes into the fibre. In reality, whilst not absorbing water based spills, it still attracts and holds onto oily soils like crazy! :( Often they clean up well enough, but oily soils or any sticky contamination will keep attracting soil, and it will look ugly. Essentially, it is not very aesthetically forgiving (it will show all the contamination).

But one of the main fibre weaknesses is its lack of resilience. Because the fibres bend over and compress under heavy furniture and in main traffic ways, the resulting texture change can look very obvious. Then because the texture has changed, light plays off it in ways that make the traffic ways look drab, even if cleaned perfectly.

Other common faults with polypropylene are melting from heat, as it is very heat sensitive, being a plastic. I have repaired a good number of them due to iron or cigarette burns.

Generally, polyprops are cheap & nasty. They degrade in appearance quite rapidly. However, a good carpet cleaning technician can offer a good clean and advise a maintenance program that can make a world of difference, and make living with a poly even tolerable! :wink: Once you understand the nature of the carpet, what to do and not to do, it can be quite easy to live with


Ash.

Author:  thlo [ Sep 12, 2009 3:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

thanks for that reply. sales people have also claimed that polyprops are resistant to harsh bleaches carpet cleaners use but when I called a manufacturer they said that was a wild claim.

Author:  royalblue [ Sep 12, 2009 5:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

thlo thlo
thanks for that reply. sales people have also claimed that polyprops are resistant to harsh bleaches carpet cleaners use but when I called a manufacturer they said that was a wild claim.


Those claims have been made by some manufacturers and sales campaigns. Its more a sales ploy than anything. :roll:

'Harsh bleaches' are NOT normally used by carpet cleaners at all. (At least not trained carpet technicians). Its usually the home owners that get carried away with all sorts of inappropariate chemicals and other treatments! :roll:

Those stupid claims do nothing to help people understand how to maintain their carpets! :evil: Think about it... IF the carpet is soo stain resistant, WHY would you need bleach anyway??? Having no absorbency, the solution dyed polyprop pile will generally be resistant to bleach, dyes and stuff like that. BUT, they are often made with a jute secondary backing. Bleach will go right in and soak into the jute, and ultimately rot it. Besides, bleach is easily transferred onto other surfaces, causing problems. Its just dumb and irresponsible telling consumers to use bleach on carpets! :evil:

Ash.

Author:  thlo [ Sep 13, 2009 1:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

That makes sense. But how come after a few years of professional cleaning some carpets get a bleached effect in patches? Is that because they are not solution dyed?

Author:  royalblue [ Sep 13, 2009 5:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

thlo thlo
That makes sense. But how come after a few years of professional cleaning some carpets get a bleached effect in patches? Is that because they are not solution dyed?


Possibly, as solution dyed carpets are more resistant to fading.

The "bleached effect" you speak of sometimes happens, but its an assumption that 'bleaches' are used. Such is usually NOT the case.

The Australian Standard 3733 has info about correct chemical use on carpets. Trained and qualified technicians understand the correct use of chemicals with each type of carpet fibre, and will clean in such a way that have no adverse effects on dyes. Cheap untrained carpet cleaners may be a different story. :( Stability of carpet dyestuff is compromised by strong alkaline residues in the carpet. If they are left in the carpet, it can affect the dyes, and contribute to fading & colour loss. But other factors can also contribute to colour loss. The obvious one is simply exposure to sunlight. Of course, it will ultimately fade the carpet. Other factors can be environmental factors. I understand there is a big problem with colour-loss (especially spray dyed nylons) in Queensland, which has been linked to high ozone levels in that region.

A few days ago, I cleaned a houseful of such a carpet in a coastal Perth suburb. The carpet all looked a light beige/cream colour, but wherever the carpet had been covered by flat furniture, it was pink. It would seem the pink was the original colour.

Home owners should be aware of their own actions too, for the same reasons... many spot cleaners leave alkaline residues which can cause local colour loss. This is why you should look for products that carry the Woolsafe logo. This ensures that the product has been tested and certified to be safe, and have no residual damaging effect. There are heaps of products that might get stains out, but you don't know what after effects they may have! :? So, use Woolsafe technicians and Woolsafe spotting products if you want to avoid potential probs (whatever carpets you have):wink:


Ash.

Author:  travelbug [ Sep 14, 2009 12:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

moved

Author:  royalblue [ Sep 14, 2009 12:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

Hi Travelbug,

Might be a good idea to start your own thread about that (so as to not confuse the subject here).

Ash.

Author:  thlo [ Sep 14, 2009 3:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

hi royalblue,

thanks a million for your answers. it's good to speak to an expert in the field.

Last question for you; how do you know a professional carpet cleaner is an experienced and properly trained? Is there a carpet cleaners organisation that monitors professional standards?

Author:  royalblue [ Sep 14, 2009 5:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

No probs!

There are a number of qualifications to look for;

Individual technicians who have attained Certificate II or III in assett maintenance (Cert II PRM20604, Cert III PRM30604). This is a govt recognised qualification.

Some associations that will help you find a technician are Woolsafe Australia and NUCCA. Look up http://www.woolsafe.com.au/certified_operators.html

http://www.nucca.asn.au/index.php?optio ... &Itemid=78

NOTE: for WA, the above associations have limited representation. For WA, look up the Advantage Group.

http://www.agccwa.com.au/technicians.htm

Ash.

Author:  thlo [ Sep 17, 2009 12:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

Fantastic! Thank you again.

Author:  leebee1 [ Sep 18, 2009 10:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

Hi royalblue

We are looking at Redbook carpet - Flinders range in 9 Smoke colour - would you recommend that one? We really loved the feel and colour of this one. It has a 15yr warranty so we are hoping it is ok?

Your thoughts most appreciated

Lee

Author:  royalblue [ Sep 18, 2009 10:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Godfrey Hirst

Leebee,

Do you have the carpet's specifications, or a link to the carpet?

Ash.

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