Carpet Flooring

Carpet can be made from a variety of fibres, or blends of fibres with each having their own benefits. As with carpet strengths and grades, the traffic and nature of use of the room(s) you wish to carpet will determine the type of carpet needed. Below is a brief description on the types of carpet fibres available.

Wool

• The natural fibres are environmentally friendly and long-lasting
• Non flammable and non-abrasive with a luxurious feel
• Warm in winter and cool in summer

Nylon

• Tough, hardwearing material
• Treated for stain resistance, colourfastness and long-lasting wear
• Yarn varies from premium to commodity, white to solution dyed

Wool Nylon Blends

• Features 20% nylon and 80% wool
• Combines durability of nylon with softness and shape resilience of wool
• Extends carpet life

Polypropylene

• Closed-cell fibre that cannot absorb moisture, making it stain resistant to liquid or solid spills.
• Extremely durable fibre and more colourfast than nylon.
• The fibre is not as shape resilient than wool or nylon and may flatten in high traffic areas

Polyester

• Polyester fibre is soft to touch when used in thick-cut pile carpeting
• Resistant to water based stains and soil
• Available in a wide variety of bright, clear colours

Remember, a carpeting consultant at your nearest Andersens store is trained to help you identify which carpet is suitable for you, so call or drop in at any time.

A good quality underlay can increase the life of your carpet, improve the feel of your carpet underfoot, provide insulation against heat loss, improve soundproofing, as well as act as a barrier against moisture, dust and grit in the sub-flooring. As with carpet, underlay should be chosen to suit its application – where it will be installed and what wear and tear it will endure. Your Andersens consultant can advise you on the best underlay for your requirements. Below is some information on the different types available.

Rubber Waffle

• Made of natural sponge rubber
• Offers strength and durability, firm support for carpet
• Able to circulate air due to cellular construction, minimising dampness and condensation under carpet
• Slightly more expensive option

Foam Underlay

• Environmentally friendly – made from recycled materials
• Price varies on quality
• More expensive foam will extend the life of your carpet

Felt Underlay

• Constructed of fibres such as wool, waste textiles or jute
• Now rarely used in home install

Underlay Tips

• Carpets with built in underlays are usually a poor substitute for the combination of a good carpet and good underlay.
• If you have in-floor heating, you need to take this into account when choosing your underlay (as well as your carpet). For the best advice, ask your Andersens consultant.
• Never lay a good quality carpet on a worn underlay. Your new carpet will not feel anywhere near as good as it should underfoot. And the few dollars you save will be a short-term saving, as your expensive new carpet will wear far more quickly.
• Try a range of underlay types before buying. Combine your preferred carpet with various underlays to find the feel that’s right for you.