For many of us, the initial reaction would be negative. Most people want value and a high cost doesn’t guarantee anything more than that you will pay more for a product.

When you walk into a flooring showroom, although signs may not say “expensive,” the thought might cross your mind. But there’s more to flooring than cost, and the best focus for a customer is on value – looking at cost and benefits.

Quality shows in any product. The difference is in the materials, the design and the construction – whether you’re talking about the clothing in this photo or flooring. For some, the additional cost of expensive materials such as stone and wood is worth the additional cost. However, flooring can be beautiful without being expensive.

Our role is to provide the choices and information you need to make the best flooring purchase for you and your home. Issues such as your budget are part of the decision, but your neighborhood, how long you plan to stay in your home, lifestyle and personal taste are just as important.

Cost should certainly be part of your decision, but don’t let it be the only factor in your choice.

There is great confusion these days about polyester fiber for carpets. When you talk about polyester carpet, do you mean just plain polyester, PET or PTT? Most of today’s polyester carpets are made from PET fibers, which are manufactured primarily from used plastic soda bottles. PET is an improved fiber over the older, original polyester, but it still comes with some of the performance baggage about which you may have heard stories.

The main positives about PET carpets are that when new, they have a great “hand,” which means a particularly soft and luxurious feel. Probably the greatest lure of PET carpets is the price, which is generally inexpensive. Another selling point is the colorfastness and resistance to water-based staining agents. The biggest complaints about this carpet are its propensity to crush and mat quickly – and that oil-based stains are at best difficult – and at worst, impossible to remove.

PTT polyester is a relatively new introduction into the fiber market (by DuPont in 2000) and sold under the trade name Sorona. It has some unique characteristics, like 37% renewable resource content (corn-based) and reports of advanced stain and wear capabilities over older generations of polyester. In fact, because of its unusual performance characteristics in carpet construction, the FTC granted in March, 2009, a new generic carpet fiber name and classification, Triexta. Smartstrand carpets from Mohawk are manufactured from this fiber.

Early reports from both DuPont and Mohawk indicate that carpets made from this fiber will perform to the expectations of nylon, and will also retain the soft feel and stain-resistance of polyester.

We hope this helps you understand more about polyester carpet fibers! To learn more about Nylon, click here!

At Big Bob’s, we want you to be in the know with what’s new and changing in the world of carpet. Shaw Floors has introduced a product called Tigressá. This new carpet has advanced  engineered yarn that produces a stong, durable and soft new carpet.

The difference between Tigressá and other carpets is its unique fiber shape. This unique fiber shape helps maintain a smoother appearance and an ultra-soft texture. It also makes it stronger than ordinary carpet.

Other advantages of Tigressá carpet:

• Dense, resilient super-strong fibers show less matting, crushing and wear.

• More filaments per square inch spread out daily abuse over more individual fibers.

• Patented color enhancement system protects each fiber and allows for deeper color and textures.

Click here and you can enter to win in the Tigressá Sweepstakes.

20 years may have come and gone, but carpet fiber options remain essentially the same! Nylon and polyester have continued to remain solid choices as they’ve evolved to higher performance, quality and appearance levels. But wool retains its position as the fiber of choice for a unique, luxurious look and feel. In upcoming entries, each of the fibers will star in it’s own post.

Nylon products have continued to lead the residential market. Today’s nylon carpets are attractive, stain resistant, and high-performing at reasonable prices. Installed over a quality cushion and with basic maintenance, nylon carpet will perform well for 10 – 20 years.

Polyester has made a significant comeback after having once been known for poor performance. Polyester carpets now account for up to one-fourth of residential carpet sales. Polyester’s draw is price.  Just be sure to ask for yarn with multiple plies and multiple twists.

Wool, with a rich history of distinctive beauty and charm, is still the fiber of choice for those who dream of “the best!”Nylon may “ugly out” as it ages, but wool – because it wears so gracefully, keeps looking good year after year. With only basic maintenance, wool carpets will perform wonderfully for 20 years or more. It’s not hard to find beautiful 30-year-old wool carpets – despite a threadbare spot or two at high traffic or pivot locations!