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Jane Gallagher of
Leeway Carpets
considers the
benefits of carpet
over laminate
flooring at home.
CARPET VS LAMINATE
Choosing your indoor flooring
tends to be a decision between
laminate and carpet. It’s not such
a simple choice as one or the
other and many homes have
both. Laminate flooring is
extremely popular but carpet is
definitely enjoying a resurgence.
Aesthetics
The foundation of decorating
Because carpet is a foundation of
decorating, covering a large quantity
of the surface of our living spaces, it
is an important consideration in the
overall scheme of colour and texture.
It can provide simplicity and
casualness for softness and liveability;
or it can provide vibrancy and heavier
textures for making a statement.
Safety
Slips and falls
Safety in the home is a primary focus.
Carpet is great for cushioning our
foot steps, minimising slips and
injuries from falls. It’s hard to watch a
toddler take its first steps on a cold,
hard floor. Carpet’s softness is ideal
for family activity.
Safety is a big consideration for older
members of the family too. Carpeted
surfaces are significantly more
effective at preventing slips and falls
than hard, smooth surfaces.
Maintaining balance, a consideration
for individuals who use a cane or
walker, can be less difficult with
short pile carpet combined with an
extra firm cushion.
Carpet can also reduce or eliminate
reflected glare, minimising
disorientation, and can reduce leg
fatigue associated with walking or
standing on hard surfaces.
Sound reduction
Carpet, easy on the ears and feet
With the introduction of computers,
speaker telephones, big screen TV’s
and video games, our homes have
become a lot noisier. Fortunately, the
solution to this problem of airborne
sounds can be found right below our
feet -- carpet.
Carpet not only serves as a beautiful
floor covering, it also provides sound
insulation. Additionally, carpet
creates an aesthetic ambiance
conducive to lowered voices and
heightened privacy.
Colour
Mood and psychology
Studies have shown that colour has
psychological affects on mood.
With this in mind, blues, greens, teal,
mauve, coral, peach and warm neutrals
are often chosen for their soothing
effects. Avoid hot tones such as reds
and oranges, which may raise blood
pressure.
Comfort
The feelgood factor
Feet and ankles are susceptible to
temperature changes and will stay
warmer on carpet due to its natural
insulating properties. The surface
temperature of carpet is substantially
higher than that of hard surfaces due
to its pile construction that acts as an
efficient thermal insulator.
Maintenance
Carpet care
Regular, but simple, care helps
counter the abuse your carpet suffers
and helps it retain its beauty. What
other home furnishing is walked all
over? Vacuum every few days in high
traffic areas, and once a week in lessused
areas. Use a well-functioning
vacuum cleaner, with an enclosed,
efficient, dust-catching system.
Most carpet today has been treated
for stain resistance and soil
retardance, but stain resistant does
not necessarily mean ‘stain proof’.
Always address spills quickly. Have
your carpet cleaned on a regular
schedule, before it begins to show
soil - a schedule of every twelve to
eighteen months by a professional
cleaning company is reasonable for
more used areas of the home and will
ensure your carpet lasts longer.
And last, but by no means least...
Romance
Getting romantic on an oak effect
laminate floor just isn’t the same!
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