The Advantages and Disadvantages of Carpet Tiles

Carpet tiles were once upon a time considered to be the height of fashion and practicality, combining both the appearance of a carpet with the usability and flexibility required for DIY fitting. Resembling slabs of carpet, carpet tiles come in a variety of sizes and styles and are great for covering tricky shaped floorspaces or replacing a carpet quickly and easily. Over their traditional counterparts, carpet tiles can be fitted by just about anybody and don't need stretching or kicking. As such they have proven to be both practical and popular for a number of decades as the quick answer to floor covering with style.

One of the most obvious advantages of carpet tiles is that they don't require to be professionally fitted. Fitting a traditional one-piece carpet is a difficult process and one that requires skill and dexterity - it's no wonder carpet fitters can command such a high rate for their work, given the intricacies involved. Rather than having to go through the hassle and expense of having a carpet fitted, carpet tiles can be thrown down in an instance to resemble a quality laid carpet without the problems of installation. For this reasons, they have found particular favour with DIY enthusiasts and those working on a budget.

Another advantage of carpet tiles is that because of their size and versatility, they can be laid easily to fit more complex room layouts. Traditionally, this would require even more of the carpet fitters time and consequently more of your money, with no guarantees of a good finish. However because carpet tiles can easily be cut to fit and the laying process is individualised around each tile rather than with one large carpet, the process is made much easier and becomes much less of a headache.

On the downside, however carpet tiles don't always appear to be a cohesive singular carpet, and the disjointed look might not be suitable for use in living areas or in customer facing offices. Similarly with age tiles can pull around the edges creating a further uneven appearance. Having said that, many buyers find that the positive aspects of carpeting with tiles (including the price) mean that it is a more favourable option to the traditional method of choosing a print and material from your local carpet shop and arranging for a formal fitting, along with the natural upheaval that can cause.

Carpet tiles will never go out of fashion, although they have been somewhat overtaken by laminate flooring as the easy-to-lay floor covering of choice. Of course, that doesn't detract from the fact that fitting carpet tiles is far easier than fitting a large carpet, particularly in oddly shaped rooms, and the fact that tiles work out far cheaper than a one-piece carpet, laid and fitted by professionals. Whether you're flooring for the first time or looking for inspiration for your next floor covering project, consider both the pros and cons of carpet tiles prior to making that decision to buy.

(Article from http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-carpet-tiles-390485.html)

Didn't you know???

1.) Today's Carpets are more stain-resistant than ever before, making cleanups of even the worst spills a breeze.

2.) Scientific studies have shown that Carpet can improve indoor air quality by trapping potential allergy-causing particulates - if the carpet is properly cleaned and maintained.

3.) Carpets aren't only for floors! Carpeting can be easily added to stairs, steps, walls, posts and other irregular and non-level surfaces, with no worry that it'll slip, lift or buckle.

4.) Carpeting is the foundation of any room's dcor. And because it is available in so many textures and colours, carpet creates an unlimited number of possibilities for decorating. From neutral tones to rich solids to patterned carpets that complement furniture, carpet is the first step in your decorating plans.

5.) Carpet offers an economical alternative to many other flooring choices, and installation costs are typically less than for hard surfaces.

6.) Today's Carpets are remarkably durable and will outlast many other varieties of floor covering.

Did you know???

1.) Carpet is the ideal choice for bedrooms, family rooms and other areas where warmth underfoot is crucial.

2.) Carpet and carpet padding provide an extra layer of insulation between floors of your home. In fact, depending on its density and weight, carpet contributes to the R-value of a home, adding to its energy efficiency.

3.) Carpet provides a non-slip surface to prevent accidents and a natural cushion in the event of a fall. This is especially important for young children and the elderly.

4.) Carpeting reduces noise better than any other flooring choice. In fact, carpet dampens noise in three ways: reducing surface noise from foot traffic, absorbing airborne sound and blocking transmission of sound between floors. These qualities are especially valuable in apartments and semi-detached homes.

5.) The addition of Carpeting to a room can disguise existing floor damage and hide other irregularities such as uneven or warped floors.

Carpet (Benefits and Advantages)

Carpet is a popular floor fitting, prized for its warmth, versatility, insulation abilities and the protection it provides unfinished floors. If you're considering installing carpeting in your home, keep reading to learn about the benefits and advantages of this practical and fashionable product.

Safety

First and foremost, a carpeted floor is a safer floor. The soft surface and cushioned under-padding not only reduce the impact of a fall, but also the likelihood of it happening in the first place. Carpet is inherently slip-resistant, meaning it's harder to slip and fall.

Sound Reduction

If you live in a busy home with lots of traffic, you know how loud wood or laminate floors can be. Carpet stifles noise and reduces echoes in three ways; absorbing the impact of foot traffic, soaking up room sounds and echoes and finally, by blocking sound from carrying between floors (especially helpful in condo apartments or multi-family homes).

Warmth & Insulation

Carpet provides excellent warmth underfoot, making it a great choice for chilly bedrooms or stark offices. Carpet also acts as an insulator. The combination of the carpet and its under-padding acts as an additional layer of insulation in your home and - depending on the weight and grade of your carpet - it can even add to the R-value of your home.

Ease of Care

Most carpets made today are made to be highly stain-resistant, meaning clean up is easy. With just a damp cloth or a quick vacuuming, your floors look as good as new. Because carpets trap dust and allergens, they can also improve the air quality in your home as long they're properly cleaned and vacuumed on a regular basis.

Flexibility and Style

Carpet isn't limited to just a few colors or grains. You can get carpet in any style, design, color or pattern that you want. Because of its versatility, carpet fits in well in any design scheme.

Low Cost

Typically, carpet costs significantly less than other types of flooring like tile, marble or hardwood. Even with professional installation, carpet tends to cost much less than other types of flooring options.

Warranty

Unlike many hard surface flooring, most carpeting comes with an extensive manufacturer's warranty that covers pile, installation and craftsmanship.

Because of its quality, low cost, design flexibility, ease of care, warmth, safety and ability to reduce sound in your home - carpet is typically the number one flooring choice for most homeowners.

(Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Rutledge)

I bet you didn't know...

Carpets Rugs and Carpeting

The terms, carpets and rugs are used interchangeably and sometimes rugs are referred to as a Rug Carpet or a Carpet Rug. A smaller version of the carpet is usually referred to as a rug. Generally, any carpet below the length of 2 meters is referred to as a rug.
While the rug is loosely laid on a floor a carpet is normally affixed to the flooring. Rugs are also used for decorative purposes and may also be hung on walls. Due to their decorative design and colors, rugs may be used for table decor or bed and sofa coverings.
While a carpet is categorized on the basis of the material used to produce it, rugs are normally referred to from the area of their origin: Persian rugs, Indian rugs, Spanish rugs etc. They are also referred to from the specific area or town of their origin or the tribe that has created the rug.
Carpets when affixed or placed wall-to-wall is referred to as carpeting.

Did you know?

That Carpets reduces noise...

Big screen TVs, speaker phones, computers and modern sound systems make our homes noisy places. Carpet helps absorb these sounds. Adding a cushion pad beneath your carpet reduces noise even further. Carpet also works as a sound barrier between floors by helping to block sound transmission to rooms below. And carpet on stairs helps mask the sound of constant foot traffic.

Did you know?

That Carpets softens slips and falls...

Carpet is ideal for cushioning our footsteps, reducing slips and falls and minimizing injuries when falls do occur. Carpet provides safety protection for the whole family, but especially for toddlers and older individuals.