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Buying Carpet – Carpet Retailer Dialogue
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Carpets, Carpet Retailer, Buying Carpet – FAQ’s while buying carpet
Buying carpet is a
big decision and there are many things to consider before making a final decision.
It's important to talk to your retailer, who can provide a wealth of experience.
So what are some of the things you should be aware of, when buying a new carpet? |
Carpet retailers frequently carry several carpet lines and manufacturers
in their showrooms. You'll see a range of quality when you begin your carpet search.
Your best bet is to educate yourself and research your options before you head
to the store. Then, you're sure to get a quality carpet that provides comfort,
durability and beauty far into the future.
Below is a helpful guide to
understanding what to expect when visiting a carpet retailer.
Room Use
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Be prepared for your retailer to ask some of the following questions:
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How
is the room going to be used?
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Is
there light or heavy room traffic in the room?
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Is
the room the centre of activity for family or entertaining?
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Is
there direct access from outside?
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What you should know
By asking these questions, the retailer is trying to gauge which grade and style of carpet would work best for
your home.
Try to
give as full a picture of your expectations for the carpet. Is it important that
the carpet stand up to lounging pets, running children and bustling activity?
Or are you mainly concerned about how it will look and feel in a formal living
room that doesn't get a lot of use?
Colour and Style
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Typically, a retailer might ask:
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How
much use will the room get?
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Are
kids going to be playing down on the floor?
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Or
is it a formal room that doesn't get much use?
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Is
it a small room or a large room?
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What
are the lighting conditions in the room?
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What you should know
Some carpet styles are designed for active use and make a lot of sense in high traffic areas. Other styles work
better in formal rooms that don't have a lot of coming and going. Your retailer can help you find a style that meets your needs if you
explain how the room will be used.
You should also bring swatches of fabric from drapes and other room furnishings. That way you can consider a range of colours that will
match your existing decor. When picking a colour, keep in mind that dark colours tend to make a room appear smaller and cozier and a lighter
colour tends to make the room seem larger. Colour can also affect your mood. Warmer colours often make you more energized while cooler
tones provide a sense of calm.
When considering colour, remember the lighting in the carpet store is not the same as the lighting conditions in your home. Ask the retailer
if they have a lighting box in which to view the carpet. Or ask if you can take a sample of the carpet home.
Cost
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Typically, a retailer might ask:
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Are
you installing this carpet to spruce up your house before you sell it?
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Or
are you planning to live with this carpet?
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What
is the size of the room to be carpeted?
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What you should know
The retailer is trying to determine what grade and quality carpet you are interested in buying. Also, he or she
needs to know the size of the room in order to calculate the price.
Come prepared with a rough estimate of your room. Check out our handy Carpet Calculator if you need help measuring. When you're ready to buy, the retailer will send a professional to take the final measurements.
Make sure that all cost estimates from your retailer include everything from underlay, installation, moving furniture and discarding old
floor covering.
Quality
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While in the store, it may seem that many carpets look
the same. But not all carpets perform the same. It's the technology behind the
carpet that makes a difference.
What you should
know
Only Stainmaster® Carpet offers guaranteed performance and lasting beauty:
INVISTA 6,6 Nylon Technology
With this patented fibre technology, Stainmaster® Carpet resists crushing, abrasive wear and colour fading. The unique molecular
structure of 6,6 nylon makes it much more resilient than other carpet fibres. Plus, this specially designed fibre keeps soil and stains
from penetrating.
Advanced Teflon® Repel
System
This superior technology enables Stainmaster® Carpet
fibres to push dirt away, reducing its ability to leave stains. This unique stain
and soil protection lasts much longer than other carpet's stain protection, which
tends to wear off after repeated cleanings.
INVISTA
Anti-Static Technology
The fibres in every Stainmaster® Carpet
contain a special carbon compound that act like thousands of tiny lighting rods,
deflecting static shock for the life of the carpet. Most other carpets are sprayed
with anti-static protection that can wear off with foot traffic and successive
cleanings.
Labelling
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At the store, you'll see lots of labels from different mills and manufacturers.
You might get confused as to what type of carpet you are looking at.
What you should know
Look for the Stainmaster® Carpet label on the back of the retailer's sample. That's the only way to guarantee a carpet that features INVISTA
comprehensive warranties, anti-static controls, resilient fibres and a carpet surface that actually repels dirt and soil. |
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Tip
Depending on where you live and how far you are prepared to travel, you will probably find you have a fair selection of retailers to choose
from. Your best guarantee of a good range of carpets and a high standard of professional
advice is the Stainmaster® MasterStore® sign - an industry symbol indicating the retailer is a member of a network of a network of major stores.
To find your nearest MasterStore®, click here. |
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