Arnold’s Home Furnishings much more than carpet

Arnold’s Carpet Center has studied carpet and carpet pad since 1951.

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Arnold's Carpet Center serving Bremerton and Silverdale areas understands carpet choices.

Arnold’s Home Furnishings and Carpet Center we know carpet and pad.

Fiber is carpet's basic ingredient.

The four basic fibers used in carpets today all have their individual strengths. Even more importantly, they all make excellent carpets. Your ultimate choice will be determined by the characteristics that are most important to you.

Although some carpets are made of blends, most are made entirely of one of the following four fibers:

1.   Nylon

Nylon is more expensive than other synthetic carpet fibers and has been the most commonly used carpet fiber since the early 1960's.  In overall performance characteristics, nylon is the most versatile of all fibers, providing excellent flexibility in creating a variety of carpet styles.  Nylon can be found in a wide range of both cut pile and loop pile styles.  It is durable, resilient, and receptive to dyeing for color versatility and uniformity; many new nylon yarn systems are also exceptionally soft.  Though not inherently stain resistant, most nylon carpets are treated with stain-resist carpet treatment for protection against household spills and stains.

2.   Polypropylene (also called Olefin)

Since 1980, the use of polypropylene carpet fibers has grown dramatically.  Unlike the other fiber types, polypropylene will not absorb water and must therefore be solution dyed (pigmented) to impart color.  Solution dyeing is a pigmentation process in which color is actually built into the fiber when it is formed, or extruded, thereby becoming an inherent part that cannot be removed from the fiber.  The color will not fade, even when exposed to intense sunlight, bleaches, atmospheric contaminants, or other harsh chemicals or elements.  However, since it is not as resilient as other fibers, poypropylene is normally used in loop pile constructions in which there is less need for superior resiliency.

3.  Polyester

Polyester offers exceptional softness and color clarity, and it is also naturally stain and fade resistant.  While polyester is not as inherently resilient as nylon, carpets made of polyester fiber will perform well if appropriately constructed.  Carpets of polyester are generally available only in cut pile styles and are usually less expensive than nylon in comparable weights.

4.   Wool

The preeminent natural fiber and used in the manufacture of carpets and rugs longer than any other fiber.  In fact, the weaving of wool carpets has been traced back to 3,000 B.C., and wool rugs and carpets have been prized as objects of beauty and prestige ever since.  Wool does not have the stain and abrasion resistance of some of the man-made fibers, but it has an enduring quality, and many wool carpets and rugs are said to "age gracefully."  Soft underfoot, wool also offers the somewhat intangible consideration of prestige.  However, wool carpets are considerably more expensive than most synthetic carpets and represent less than 1% of all broadloom carpets sold.

Carpet Blends

A number of carpet styles utilize a fiber blend, such as nylon and polypropylene.  The blending of fiber types to form the carpet yarn is designed to combine the beneficial characteristics of each fiber, such as the resiiency of nylon and fade resistance of polypropylene.

Summary

While these descriptions outline basic characteristics of different fibers, how the fiber is processed and fabricated - the construction - is more of a determining factor of a carpet's performance potential.

 

 Breathe Easier

Carpet can help you breath better and avoid allergens.

Carpet and Allergens - Answers to Common Misconceptions

Allergens

Some biopollutants, such as animals, dander, house dust mites, and mold, have been linked to allergies and asthma, and many of these substances are commonly found in the average home.  It is important to understand that the mere presence of allergens does not in itself pose a hazard.  The allergen must be inhaled for exposure to occur, and in order for inhalation to occur, the allergen must be airborne.

Carpet acts as a trap for allergens

Carpet is capable of holding significant quantities of soil, dust, etc., without appearing very dirty.  It has been demonstrated that carpet is quite efficient at keeping allergen and other small particles such as pollen out of the air.  In fact, data from a Swedish government study indicates that when use of carpet declined, the number of people reporting allergy problems increased.

Regular vacuuming with a vacuum using a high-efficiency filter and periodic cleaning using the hot-water extraction cleaning ("steam cleaning") removes the majority of allergen from carpet as well as significantly reducing mite populations.

Research has clearly shown that there is no correlation between allergen contained in carpet and allergen in the air in the carpeted room.

Research on carpet

In 2002, two schools in North Carolina were the subject of a study conducted by Research Triangle Institue (RTI) and University of North Carolina (UNC) investigators.  One school had mostly resilient tile floors, while the other was 70-75% carpeted. The study found that airborne contaminants, possible sources of allergens, were higher over the tiled floors than over carpet. 

Also in 2002, Professional Testing Laboratory studied the effect of foot traffic on air quality, using commercial carpet and commercial vinyl flooring.  Following 16 minutes of foot traffic over both surfaces, the particulate concentration over the vinyl floor was found to be four times that of carpet.

Other studies, including one using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), have reinforced these findings and concluded that carpets actually reduce exposure to particulates and potential adverse health effects.

In a recent paper, Carpet, Asthma and Allergies - Myth or Realty Dr. Mitchell Sauerhoff, Ph.D., DABT, examined numerous scientific studies and other research contradicting some long-held beliefs on carpet's alleged negative characteristics.

Sauerhoff concluded, "...based on the available science, carpet does not cause asthma or allergies and does not increase the incidence or severity of asthma or allergies symptoms. In fact, with respect to asthma and allergies, multiple studies have reported fewer allergy and asthma symptoms associated with carpet."

 

 Feel the Warmth of Carpet

Carpet energy savings for sale in Bremerton and Silverdale area. The warm comfort that carpet provides is not just your imagination.  Unlike other types of flooring, carpet is a natural insulator, providing additional warmth in cold seasons.

The use of carpet in a wall-to-wall application actually increases the R-value, or insulation level, of the carpet area, potentially saving homeowners like you utility costs while reducing energy use.  The R-value (thermal resistance) measures how much a material resists the movement of heat through a ceiling, wall, or floor in a building.  The higher the number, the more effective the insulation.

Recently, tests carried out at the Johns Manville Technical Center Thermal Labs, one of the most sophisticated laboratories of its kind in the world, confirm carpet and pad significantly increase R-value compared to other flooring materials.  Results varied according to the carpet's construction, with heavier products generally providing higher R-value.  Carpets were tested with and without cushion, and the combination maximized the R-value.  Carpet really is warmer.

Test results from the different carpet constructions were compared to three hard surface products - ceramic tile, laminate, and engineered hardwood - and the differences were dramatic:

Carpet with cushion represents a clear advantage in insulation capability over hard surface flooring.  Of course, potential energy cost savings by using carpet and cushion in lieu of hard surfaces will vary widely.  The type of floor construction, local energy costs, climate, and carpet/cushion type all affect how significant these savings could be.

Obviously, savings would be greater in colder regions of the country.

Dr. Alan Hedge, professor of Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell University, also cites thermal comfort as another of carpet's advantages.  "Carpet feels warmer to the touch than other floor coverings because the air at room temperature is trapped by the carpet fibers which acts as an insulator, and carpet has a low thermal diffusivity compared to other floor materials that have higher thermal diffusivities and that conduct heat away from the body more rapidly, resulting in a lower skin temperature, cooler sensation, and greater thermal discomfort," Hedge reports.

Five Common Carpet Myths Debunked

Carpet has been the most popular floor covering in America for decades for good reason - carpets feel soft, reduce noise and insulate rooms. But some common misconceptions deter people from buying carpets. Before purchasing flooring, consider the following information from Shaw Floors:

MYTH 1
Asthma and allergy sufferers should not have carpet in the home.

FACT:
EPA scientists concluded that carpet fibers, in trapping and immobilizing potential allergy-causing particulates, help people with allergies. If allergens are in the carpet, they're notcirculating in the indoor air stream. Shaw recommends using a HEPA-filter vacuum to fully remove such particles from the indoor environment.

MYTH 2
Carpet is hard to maintain - it stains and wears out very easily.

FACT:
Simple steps can extend the life of your carpet and keep it looking new. Frequent vacuuming removes soil particles before they get below the surface of the pile, where they are far more difficult to remove.

Carpet in a typical household should be thoroughly cleaned every 12 to 18 months. Hot water extraction systems provide the most effective cleaning. Professional carpet cleaners generally get the best results.

"EPA scientists concluded that carpet fibers ... help people with allergies."

MYTH 3
Carpet is outdated and boring.

FACT:
Carpets come in patterns ranging from traditional hounds tooth to exotic zebra, and in stylish colors like chocolate or mint green. Many consumers use a mix of carpet, hardwood and tile in their homes.

MYTH 4
Carpet emits harmful chemicals that cause health problems.

FACT:
Carpet is one of the lowest emitters of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) among househld furnishings and building materials. Shaw carpets meet the industry's highest VOC standard, the Carpet & Rug Institute's Green Label Plus program.

MYTH 5
Carpet is bad for the environment

FACT:
Floor manufacturers now provide many eco-friendly options for environmentally-conscious consumers. Shaw carpets made of Anso or EverTouch nylon can be recycled at Shaw's Evergreen Nylon Recycling Facility, where they are broken down and remade into new carpet fiber. The process helps turn carpet into a renewable product and keeps carpet waste out of landfills. In fact, Shaw has collected 178 million pounds of post-consumer carpet since 2006.

Carpet Pad

The importance of carpet pad

Much attention and energy is devoted to selecting carpet, but pad is a crucial part of your flooring and should not be forgotten.

Pad makes carpet feel better.

Every step you take creates hundreds of pounds of pressure per square inch in your floor covering. Carpet padding, or cushion as it is sometimes called, helps alleviate that pressure. The decrease in pressure helps make your carpet feel richer, thicker, and softer.

It will make your room quieter and warmer.

Carpet cushion can significantly improve a carpet's sound-absorption and improve its thermal insulation properties.

It will help you keep your carpet cleaner

Dirt can grind down carpet fiber the way sandpaper wears down wood, and thus shortens carpet life. A quality cushion makes cleaning more efficient because it raises carpet off the subfloor and provides an air space underneath, allowing the carpet to breathe. When you vacuum, that space allows more air to come up through the carpet, carrying more dirt along with it. The result is more effective cleaning every time.

And most importantly, it will make your carpet last longer.

A quality carpet cushion helps decrease pile crushing, the acute compression of fibers in a high-traffic area, particularly in hallways. The pad allows the carpet to maintain its pile height and stay looking new for much longer. Industry studies have shown that quality cushion can actually increase the useful life of carpet as much as 50%.

Also, placing a quality cushion under your new carpet is often a condition of your warranty.


GREEN LABEL PLUS: CARPET AND ADHESIVES

Sets Higher Standard for Indoor Air Quality

Green Label Plus, a voluntary industry testing program for carpet and adhesive products, establishes the highest standard for indoor air quality (IAQ) ever set by the carpet industry. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) created Green Label Plus to identify carpets and adhesives that are tested by an independent, certified laboratory and meet stringent criteria for low chemical emissions.

Expands CRI's IAQ Green Label Program

There is a growing demand to make indoor environments as healthy and "green-friendly" as possible. Choosing the right materials is a critical step. To assist in the process, CRI has added Green Label Plus for carpet and adhesives to its well-established Green Label program.

Meets California's CHPS Criteria

Green Label Plus meeets, and even exceeds, California's indoor quality standards for low-emitting products used in commercial settings such as schools and office buildings.


Arnold’s Carpet Center is Committed to Excellence

In 1951, Arnold’s Home Furnishings emphasized taking care of their customers with excellent customer service and quality merchandise and you will find the same to be true today, sixty years later.  Quality and customer service never go out of style.

We are able to arrange delivery and installation locally using our own delivery crews and independant, licensed and insured, installation contractors. Our team routinely performs installation in Allyn, Bainbridge Island, Belfair, Bremerton, Gig Harbor, Keyport, Kingston, Port Angeles, Port Ludlow, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, Port Townsend, Seabeck, Sequim, Shelton, Silverdale, Suquamish, Tracyton and surrounding areas.

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Arnold’s Home Furnishings
3520 Kitsap Way, Bremerton, WA 98312
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