Carpet: features and application in the interior

Warm and pleasant to the touch floor - one of the important components of comfort in the house. Of course, heated floors immediately come to mind, but this is not the cheapest and most convenient option, and the luxurious Persian carpet is already out of fashion, therefore modern manufacturers offer a budget and beautiful alternative - carpet. Its operational features and proper use in the interior will help to create both a warm and stylish floor covering.

Before you buy a carpet, it is important to understand what it is and what it is “eaten” with.

Carpet or carpet is a soft floor covering that covers the entire area of ​​the room.It has many fundamental differences from ordinary carpets, but the main thing is that it is a roll material with a very large length, which allows you to close impressive areas without seams and seams. Color monochromatic coating is more common, but there is also carpet with a pattern.

The structure of household carpet is divided into two types: single-layer and double-layer.

The basis in one layer is made of synthetic fabrics of high density into which fibers of a pile are interwoven. Weaving is fixed with the help of a latex layer. The two-layer base has a final latex layer that closes the fasteners.

See the video below for details.

The production technology of carpet is quite complex and diverse.

Product performance depends on the following important factors:

• How produced carpet.
• What is used as a base coat.
• What type of pile is used and what is its height.
• What kind of weaving (yarn).
• What way is painted pile.

According to the production method, it is customary to isolate flocked, woven, tufted, needle-punched carpet.

The woven production method is more long-term and labor-intensive, therefore products of this type belong to the Premium class and have a corresponding price. The essence of the process of creating woven carpet is the intertwining of pile threads, forming a “cobweb”, which is then strung on a dense lining and closed with latex from the wrong side.

Flocked carpet is different from other types of waterproof properties. The basis for its manufacture is polyvinyl chloride with a pile length of 3 millimeters. It is designed for rooms with high humidity and the need for frequent cleaning, such as a kitchen or bathroom.

Tufted carpet on latex basis is a multi-level coating, due to which a volumetric pattern appears on it. It is obtained in the following way: the thread is “injected” into the base, and then fixed with an adhesive. It is more decorative and more difficult to clean, so it is used in living rooms, bedrooms and offices.

Needle-punched products received this name because of the production process, during which the dense fibrous base repeatedly penetrates with special needles, that is, the pile is “driven in” into the base. It is made on rubber or latex gasket. The result resembles a felt fabric because it does not have a high pile. Resistant to mechanical stress, easy to clean, due to its density well absorbs sounds. Recommended for rooms with a home cinema, nurseries, corridors.

Different weaving methods give different pile heights: short (2-3 mm), medium (3-5 mm), high (from 5 mm and higher).

It is made of 4 types of materials:

• Rubber or latex. This durable and resilient material helps the product to keep in shape and easy to carry hygienic procedures.Soft, resilient, pleasant for walking, flooring withstands prolonged mechanical loads, so the rubber-based carpet is convenient to use in public places.
• Artificial felt. Provides softness and moisture resistance, easy to cut and lay. Special impregnation repels dirt, and the felt pile provides thermal insulation properties.

• Jute. Jute base looks like a net weave of threads. It is used for contact coatings, is distinguished by convenience, environmental friendliness and aesthetic qualities, however, it is inferior to previous types of coatings in wear resistance.
• Foam base. A more natural and “healthy” coating than rubber, which also has softness, elasticity and the ability to create comfort when walking. It washes well, promotes heat insulation and muffles sounds, but wears out for up to 6 years.

This important characteristic depends on how long the carpet will maintain its beautiful appearance and original color.

There are three types of carpet according to the method of coloring:

• Products from color pile or the painted synthetic mass.This is the most expensive species, which is dyed to the very base and the least susceptible to shedding, fading and fading.
• If in the first case the raw material for the manufacture of the thread is dyed, then in the second case the finished threads are dyed, and already a coating is woven from them.
• The least durable and reliable method is to apply the pigment stencils on the already finished carpet. The pile in this case does not stain to the base, and the coating will quickly burn out and izotrёtsya.

Materials and types of weaving deserve closer attention.

Pile in essence is the working surface of the carpet, so it is important to choose the right material for a particular type of room. Raw materials are divided into two groups - natural and synthetic (artificial).

Natural:

• Wool. It looks beautiful, it is of good quality, it helps to maintain a favorable microclimate in the room (it absorbs moisture when there is a lot of it, and it gives off when the air is too dry). The wool is soft and pleasant to the touch, and the anti-mole impregnation protects it from insects. However, the wool needs a very careful care, a large proportion of its composition can cause allergies, and such a product is an order of magnitude more expensive than the synthetic counterpart.
• Linen. Linen carpets have unique bactericidal properties and fiber strength. In its pure form, it is practically not used, but combined with wool and other vegetable fibers (for example, sisal)

• Cotton. Cotton products are also rare in their own right. More often cotton serves as a basis in carpet weaving due to its properties: lightness, softness, hypoallergenicity; it can be washed and painted in any color, it keeps its shape. Cotton belongs to cheap materials, but does not differ in wear resistance. If it is bad to dry, there is a risk of mold.
• Bamboo. Bamboo carpets are a godsend for home improvement. This fiber is not only anti-allergenic, but also has a bactericidal effect. It does not accumulate dust and dirt, it can withstand any hygiene procedures, has a soft, light and surprisingly durable. It can be combined with other types of raw materials.

Products from natural materials are intended for living rooms and bedrooms. Hypoallergenic washable cover can be used in the nursery. For areas with high humidity,the possibility of contamination and high mechanical stress are more suitable synthetic products, which are cheaper and more positioned to contact with household chemicals. For example, polyamide or propylene coatings. Also in demand sintepon, nylon and acrylic carpet.

Artificial:

• Polyamide. The closest in properties to natural materials. It looks beautiful in the interior, soft and pleasant to the touch, has a long service life and is prone to different methods of cleaning. Importantly, it is resistant to various types of deformation. It does not melt fallen and not smothered cigarette butt, and the furniture does not leave on the surface of dents traces. Its disadvantages include the fact that polyamide absorbs moisture and creates static electricity.
• Polypropylene. "The most synthetic" of all types of artificial textile materials. It creaks, is afraid of moisture, unpleasant for bare feet, the furniture leaves deep traces on it. However, it is easy to clean, resistant to thermal effects, cheap.

• Nylon. Such coverage is a salvation for allergies. Like natural material, it is soft, fluffy, very plastic.The characteristic difference is a long service life (from 15 years). This pleasure is worth more than other types of artificial surfaces.
• Acrylic. This coating externally and to the touch differs little from the natural, while it is cheap. It is not electrified, but is afraid of moisture, fire, mechanical effects, it is difficult to clean from stains, the service life is limited to 5-6 years. Suitable for those who often like to update the interior.
• Sintepon. It is an "average" in all indicators of the product. Can mix with other types of nap.

Depending on the type of weaving, the following types of coatings are distinguished:

• Velours. Soft, fluffy, consists of a short split pile, the edges of which are fluffed to a uniform coating;
• Frize. High pile covering, which is made from high loops and undergoes heat treatment;
• Saxony. Elite woven weaving forms a multi-level "granular" coating. It differs from Frieze by a longer and loose pile. Its height can reach 40 mm.

• Felt. Carpet made by pressing wool threads looks like a lint-free one, since it does not differ in relief;
• Scroll Multi-level loop weave, consisting of shorn and uncut strings;
• Gunny. A short nap weave that forms a mat-like finish;

• Cutlup The combination of the loop surface with long split threads, forming a relief pattern;
• Boucle. A special method of tying a thief forms a flooring that resembles knitting with facial loops — that is, the canvas is thickly covered with nodules that look like eyes;
• "Grass". Combined polypropylene pile, imitating the grass through a combination of loops and split threads 2 through 1;

When choosing a type of floor covering, many somehow compare several options to each other and ask themselves how, for example, linoleum differs from laminate or carpet from carpet, what are their pros and cons. Often, the difference becomes visible in the use of the same material in different types of premises already in practice. Experienced and hundreds of thousands of customers have identified the features and benefits of different types of coverage, including carpet.

Laminate at the same time requires an extremely flat surface and does not tolerate prolonged contact with moisture. In the bathroom and in the kitchen, he will quickly become unusable, while synthetic carpet will last there for a long time.

Linoleum and synthetic carpet are close to each other in their properties. Both of these coatings make the floor soft, warm, muffle the sounds, they can have a relief tile texture or a smooth surface, they wash well. Coatings have approximately the same service life before fading and obvious signs of mechanical damage.

The advantages of carpet over other types of coatings:

• Closes a small area with one cut from wall to wall;
• The color and texture of the coating retain the original appearance for many years;
• Many types of weaving are quite elastic, so there are no traces of furniture on the surface;
• You can use different types of cleaning: dry, washing vacuum cleaner, household chemicals;
• The pile, the base of the coating and the air cushion, which is located between the floor and the carpet, create a soft and warm surface, on which it is pleasant to walk barefoot;
• Drowns out the sounds of footsteps, techniques, falling objects, playing pets;
• To lay the cover, you do not need to be a professional in the field of repair, you can do it yourself;
• It is pleasant not only to walk on a soft fleecy covering, you can sit and lie on it;
• The use of material of certain colors and textures helps to visually change the area of ​​space.

Not deprived of carpet and some drawbacks:

• Natural materials of animal origin can cause allergies;
• Some types of coatings are capricious with respect to detergents;
• Some materials are electrified and do not tolerate moisture;
• Insects that are not treated with untreated nap may start;
• Over time, the paint will fade from exposure to sunlight;
• Requires frequent cleaning;
• Absorbs odors.

In order for the floor covering to preserve a beautiful appearance longer and not to serve as a hotbed of bacteria and insects, it is important to properly care for it. Caring for the carpet - it's cleaning, washing and painting.

Flooring in different rooms requires different care. The correct way should be described in the accompanying documentation for the coating and it is undesirable to violate it. Any stains should be removed immediately, otherwise they will penetrate deep into the pile, becoming difficult to remove.

Broom and brush in cleaning the carpet is absolutely not effective. They do not scrub the dust, dirt, and crumbs accumulated between the villi, and this is the most favorable environment for the appearance of bacteria, insects, and mildew.

Alcohol stains are well removed with soap and vinegar, tea and coffee are mixed with vinegar, glycerin and cold water. Dried spots are first soaked with glycerin, then removed with soapy water. Chewing gum needs to freeze with ice, the fat briefly moisten with kerosene,wax and paraffin are equally effectively removed using ice or iron and a napkin. Street dirt is dried and removed with a brush.

Caring for a carpet of natural materials has several other recommendations:

1. To clean at least 2-3 times a week.
2. For effective cleaning, it is better to choose a vacuum cleaner with a special rotating brush, which separates stuck villi and draws all the dirt between them.
3. Washing vacuum cleaners are contraindicated to fleecy natural products, since they do not dry out for a long time and become a favorable environment for the life of fungal organisms and bacteria.
4. When dry cleaning will be effective powders for carpet.
5. The color of the coating can be maintained by brushing the pile with a slightly moistened solution of ammonia and water (3 spoons per 1 liter).

Care of products from synthetic materials:

1. The best way to clean is the alternation of dry and wet cleaning.
2. After using a washing vacuum cleaner, the surface of the flooring must be thoroughly dried so that there is no sensation of dampness.
3. Do not get involved in steam and wet cleaning, it destroys the antibacterial impregnation of the product.
4. Synthetic textile surfaces, like natural surfaces, require deep cleaning every six months.

For painting the carpet used specialized paint for carpets in the form of a spray or diluted with his own.

To prepare the paint, it is necessary to dilute the dye and ammonia in a liter of boiling water, mix and boil for 10 minutes. After one hour, the cooled solution is combined with chrompeak (chemical reagent) diluted in cold water. Next, filter the mixture through gauze. The dye is ready.

Apply it to a thoroughly cleaned coating with a brush, painting to the ground. Almost any color is available, but it is important to remember that the original dark color will not turn out to be very light. It works much better in the opposite direction.

Carpet refers to those types of coverage, self-styling which does not require professional skills.You can lay it yourself, you just need to get a small set of tools and do the work carefully.

Whether the coating will lie in a solid sheet or whether it needs to be adjusted to corners and protrusions depends on the particular layout. How to cut it to go around, for example, a ledge in the wall is intuitive. To do this, you only need to measure the sides of the "obstacle" and repeat its contours on the cover sheet when it is fitted to the walls with a margin of 10-15 cm.

You can start laying under the following conditions:

1. The base is flat, dry and clean.
2. Carpet was “acclimatized” - spent at least 24 hours in the room that they plan to cover.
3. The temperature in the room is not lower than 15 degrees, the humidity does not exceed 70%.
4. In the presence of the entire list of necessary tools: knife, glue, roller, ruler, felt-tip pen, slats or skirting.

How to independently lay carpet, see the video below.

The installation itself is done in one of four ways:

• The first method involves the use of small areas. The cover sheet is laid on the surface, covering the baseboards, then rolled from the middle to the walls with a roller and making V-shaped cuts in the corners. The extra centimeters above the baseboards are cut with a knife, and the edges are fixed with metal slats.
• The second method according to the technology resembles the gluing of wallpaper, only the surface is horizontal, not vertical. A sheet of carpet is laid in the center of the room, first one edge is bent to the middle, and a section of the base under it is coated with glue. Then give the glue to "grab" and put the edge of the sheet on the floor. Rolled with a roller from the center in all directions, so as not to leave air bubbles between the flooring and the floor.Then the same is done with the second edge.
• The following method is suitable for large areas that cannot be covered with a single sheet width. It implies the simultaneous connection of parts that overlap each other by 3-5 cm. The sheets themselves are glued to the floor, as in the previous version.
• The last method - stretching - can be performed only by professional craftsmen. A sheet of carpet is fixed against one wall and stretched with the help of special tools on the entire surface of the floor, using the elasticity of a textile product.

When choosing a coverage, it is important to consider:

• What material is the substrate made of?
• What is the thickness of the sheet. Under the single-layer carpet, an additional lining is needed that will retain heat, provide softness and sound insulation;
• What is the density of the pile (the denser it is, the less debris and dust will accumulate between the threads, the color will remain longer, the less abrasion of the material);
• The width of the track. If the area of ​​the base in the room exceeds the size of the sheet in width, it is important to calculate in advancewhat sizes should be cuts of carpet and how to lay them;
• Natural or artificial pile at the product;
• The type of room in which the coverage is selected. In the bedroom or nursery you need a warm natural nap, but in the corridor it is better to choose a dense synthetic one.
• You also need to consider that the appearance of the coating must match the place. It is unlikely that an elite long-pile carpet is appropriate in the corridor, and in a luxurious bedroom there is flooring for the toilet.
• The tone of the colors. Non-marking shades will be suitable for rooms with a large cross-country capacity, in the living room and bedroom more light, cheerful colors will be more appropriate.

Carpet is a universal flooring for the home, apartment and even office. Numerous reviews confirm that this seamless surface is used in almost all functional areas of the room. It looks luxurious long carpet in the living room, a bright and cozy element it is in the nursery, a nice addition to the soft bed in the bedroom. Beautifully looks soft finish stairs inside the house.

Suitable carpet in the bathroom and in the kitchen, on the glassed-in balcony and as a flooring on the loggia, the main thing - to choose the right materials and color.