Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering 1 Feb 06, 2009 7:57 pm Hi everyone (especially the carpet experts out there)
I think this may actually be my first ever question and request for help for something that is actually going into our new house. I was hoping someone would have some knowledge on the following carpet and if it is a good choice of carpet. The carpet supplier recommended this carpet. They said it was just as good as some of the more expensive brands. Company: Victoria Carpets Range: Victoria Twist Type: Twist Pile Pile Weight: 36oz Fibre: Solution Dyed Nylon Underlay: Not decided as yet but I was given a sample of the Dunlop Comfortmaster. The carpet supplier recommended foam underlay. We did choose a carpet with our previous builder but because we have to go with a new builder have the opportunity to choose again, and don't have to stick to the builders range. I am a bit nervous though about choosing carpet because there is such a large range out there. Just want something that can take the kids treatment but will last for a while. Any help or advice would be most appreciated. Re: Carpet Expert Help Needed 2Feb 11, 2009 6:55 am Most of the solution dyed nylons that I see come in loop pile construction.
They use a continuous filament yarn and with kids this can create a problem as the kids toys with sharp edges can easily catch on the fibres and pull up tufts. Each fibre runs the entire length of the carpet. even a couple of broken fibres can make a different appearance in some areas. If there are any joins in the carpet they need to be "seam sealed" to prevent unravelling along the joins. That can apply to any of the loop pile carpets though. Make sure you insist on this. The layers won't like it and tell you it is unnecessary but I have seen too many unravelled loop pile SDNs to know that seam sealing is essential no matter how good they think they are at laying. The "twist" pile would tend to inicate a cut pile carpet which doesn't have these snagging problems Solution dyeing means that the pigment that gives the carpet it's colour is put in "in the melt" before the plastic is extruded into a fibre so they do not fade as much as traditionally dyed nylons that have dyes added later in the process. Don't believe them when they say they are stain resistant. some of the commercial SDNs are relatively stain resistant but there are many ways to cut corners with SDNs and many can easily stain with the red acid dye in cordials and soft drinks which by the way is the very same dye that is used to dye nylon and wool fibres with. Don't believe the myth that you clean SDNs with bleach. Polypropylene can be cleaned with bleach but why would you need to because they do not stain with acid dyes anyway. Poly prop can only be dyed with Solution dyeing and will therefore not be stained with the acid dyes and the cordials will simply rinse out with plain water. If a SDN stains with red cordial there are no detergents that will remove them with out heat transfer processes or dye strippers. But on the whole the SDNs are good in that they do resist staining if you catch it in time. The trick is to be there when they spill stuff on it and clean it up straight away. don't go cranky at the kids when they spill on the carpet or they will not report spills immediately. They will cover it with a cushion from your lounge so you will never ever see the stain. SDNs clean well and vacuum easily so that is a plus. I do find that they are often using some very lightly spun yarns that seem to have a lot of air in the fibre bundle. These feel nice and soft but do tend to flatten out quite quickly. One trick is too try and find the backing of the carpet through the pile. If you have difficulty finding the backing in the carpet through the pile then it is usually a fairly good performing carpet, but if you can easily see the backing shining through by simply caressing your hand across the pile then it will flatten out quite quickly. One complaint I have had to deal with a fair bit is the shading with SDNs. Loop piles are not supposed to do that according to the manufacturers but I have seen a number of issues where consumers simply don't like the look. Cut piles are more noted for shading (sometimes called "water marking" or "pooling" although it has nothing to do with water.) The problem comes from the carpet fibre having a high lustre. When the pile flattens a little bit is exposes the side of the pile which reflects more light than a fibre that is bent in an even loop. You get brighter and darker patches in the carpet after just a few days of traffic. This is maily in the lighter colours that I have seen this "problem". I put the "problem" in inverted commas because the manufacturers see it as a characterisitic of the carpet, not a fault. They will not deal with it as a complaint. But overall, SDNS are better than some of the spray dyed products that are still around and Victoria Carpets do make some very good product. Go with the better quality firmer underlay. cheers Col Nation For information on caring for wool and other carpet and upholstery go to www.woolsafe.com.au Re: Carpet Expert Help Needed 3Feb 11, 2009 2:38 pm [quote="photogirl"]Hi everyone (especially the carpet experts out there)
I think this may actually be my first ever question and request for help for something that is actually going into our new house. I was hoping someone would have some knowledge on the following carpet and if it is a good choice of carpet. The carpet supplier recommended this carpet. They said it was just as good as some of the more expensive brands. Company: Victoria Carpets Range: Victoria Twist Type: Twist Pile Pile Weight: 36oz Fibre: Solution Dyed Nylon Underlay: Not decided as yet but I was given a sample of the Dunlop Comfortmaster. The carpet supplier recommended foam underlay. We did choose a carpet with our previous builder but because we have to go with a new builder have the opportunity to choose again, and don't have to stick to the builders range. I am a bit nervous though about choosing carpet because there is such a large range out there. Just want something that can take the kids treatment but will last for a while. Any help or advice would be most appreciated.[/quote] If you are looking for quality wool carpets, Victoria Carpets will most certainly be on the list...but... There are other manufacturers on the market that make a comparable product to the Victoria Carpets brand you have suggested... I had done my homework, like yourself and found that Godfrey Hirst and Quest Carpet make excellent ranges of wools...We decided to go with the Quest Carpet product called - Charisma... We found it cheapest @ ***... I know their name has been dragged through the mud on this forum, but i would have to say that one person's experience should not account for the world to follow suit... I was most impressed with the level of expertise shown in the store and by the layer who laid my carpet...So Bravo ***... Check them out online and keep me posted on your impression and experience... I had chosen 2 Re: Carpet Expert Help Needed 4Feb 11, 2009 8:52 pm photogirl I can concur with Colnation's advice re the loop pile, our solution dyed loop pile has been cut up in a couple of areas (DS 3yo trying on mum's stilettos in the WIR )
Also don't use these things under your furniture - we thought they'd help with even distribution of weight so that our carpet wouldn't go so flat all in one area - instead the spikes have jsut ripped up all the loops in that area! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ these ones, however, look like they might be ok, as their spikes have soft ends rather than sharp?? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Carpet Expert Help Needed 5Feb 12, 2009 5:49 pm Thanks everyone
I had been checking this thread but was so excited to see some responses. Col Nation, glad to hear the twist pile doesn't have the snagging problems but will speak the the builders about it just to make sure. Thanks for the in depth information, I have a few more questions to ask the carpet company now. My builder did say to me he also had the solution dyed carpet and was happy with it, but to watch out for kids with red cordial. We will only be having carpet upstairs so I'm hoping to avoid that problem, but with kids, you just never know. I'm going to go with the best underlay I can get in my budget, so the comfort master or higher. Also thanks for the info on the backing on the carpet, I'll have a look at that, great tip. donuts : Thanks for the details on the carpet protectors, it's good to have that info. I have used some flat ones in the past for furniture on floorboards but I'm guessing they would also just flatten out the carpet. Little boys and stillettos, I'll have to watch out for that one. Mine also likes to dress up in his sister's princess dresses. Stizaliz: Thanks for your info. I'm staying away from the wool carpet because of dust allergies and the fluff on the wool carpets. The carpet company does sell Godfrey Hirst carpets, but they told me that I would be paying more for what is an equivalent carpet, so I'm going to believe them, hope they are right. We have also had so many problems with our house build that I am organising this through the builder so staying with their supplier. So apart from finalising the colour I'm feeling a lot more comfortable about my choice. Thanks again for all your help. Re: Carpet Expert Help Needed 6Feb 17, 2009 5:05 pm The spiked bases can cause problems weather they are pointy or rounded. I prefer the slightly curved spikeless cups, as they just spread the load and allow for some movement of the furniture.
Get in the habit of moving the furniture once a month, even if it just 100 mm left and 200 right and 100 back and then 200 forward. This will help even out the wear and fading and not leave you with permanent damage from the spikes. cheers Col Nation For information on caring for wool and other carpet and upholstery go to www.woolsafe.com.au 1 11004 1 15753 they can, it's a fairly standard solution when the slab isn't recessed. the falls need to be in the main floor, if it hasn't been done then you need to ask them to redo… 4 6581 |