Carpet Stores Throughout the San Francisco Bay Area

Carpet Flooring

Ahhh... soft, luxurious carpet. It is one of the most popular flooring choices. Taking a barefoot step on to carpet is a pleasurable experience that no other flooring material can quite match.
It comes in various styles, designs, fibers, and textures to meet every style preference and budget. Carpet can soften a room from both a visual and noise perspective, as it adds a sense of warmth and absorbs sound better than harder flooring options.

Learn about carpet basics, carpet gallery, carpeting installation, carpet questions and carpeting care and maintenance.

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Living room flooring design | The Floor Store

Carpet Flooring for bedroom | The Floor Store

THE FLOOR STORE

TODAY'S CARPET

With tens of thousands of styles and colors from which to choose, carpeting has long been one of the most popular flooring choices for bedrooms, living rooms, and other spaces in the home where a cozy touch is needed. It's soft, colorful comfort.

About Carpet

Carpet is a luxurious, modern floor covering with ancient roots. In the distant past, carpet was painstakingly made by hand. But today, it’s largely manufactured by machine. When talking about carpet, there are a variety of technical terms used to describe specific styles. Understanding the different terms can help when selecting the best carpet for your home.

Styles of Carpet

When carpeting is made, fibers (also called yarns) are woven into a material backing. This is done in a way that creates small loops of yarn all along the surface. This surface is referred to as the carpet’s “pile”. If the loops are left in-tact, the carpet is referred to as loop pile carpet; if the loops are cut, the carpet is cut pile. Some carpets have a combination of both techniques and are referred to as cut and loop. Loop pile, cut pile and cut and loop carpets all have different characteristics because of differences in their surface textures.

Carpet Fibers

In addition to the differences in carpet pile, an important distinction between carpets is the fiber used in their construction. Fiber refers to the material used to create the carpet’s yarn, and fibers can be either synthetic or natural. The majority of carpet on the market today is made of synthetic fibers including, nylon, polypropylene or polyester. Natural fiber carpets are usually made of wool, though you will occasionally see other natural materials, such as silk, cotton or bamboo. Carpet characteristics will vary depending on their construction and material.

Choosing A Carpet For You

Choosing carpeting can seem like a daunting task. At the Floor Store, we’re happy to walk you through all of your options and answer any questions you might have. Feel free to call us or stop in to one of our 9 showroom locations and talk through all of the options available to you.

Defining Your Texture

There are different carpet looks and styles to choose from, what's your texture?

BEFORE INSTALLATION

Before you even think about installation, our staff will work with you to ensure that we have the appropriate measurements for your project. As with any flooring installation, it’s important that the room is cleared of furniture and other items before installation begins. Consider whether you’ll be installing carpet over existing flooring, or if you will need to have it removed and taken away; this should be discussed at the time you purchase your carpeting so expectations are clear for both you and your installer. Remember that baseboards and molding may also need to be removed before installation and you may need to consider whether your subflooring needs repairs to ensure that the floor itself is safe, stable, and level.

DURING INSTALLATION

Plan to be home during the installation. It will ensure you can communicate well with your installation team and have any of your questions answered. Your carpet padding will be installed first. On top of that, your carpet will be installed, using a seam diagram to ensure that placement minimizes the appearance of any and all seams.

You may want to have discussions about doors and molding in advance, as your installation team will not reinstall molding or trim doors. You’ll want to consider having a professional install your baseboards and trim your doors should the need arise.

AFTER INSTALLATION

After your carpet is installed, your room will need good ventilation. You can help ensure good air flow by opening up windows, turning on fans and taking other steps to air the room out for about 72 hours. Your new carpet may “shed” a bit, but frequent vacuuming in the first few days will help. Use scissors to trim any loose fibers and begin to enjoy your new flooring!

VACUUMING

Frequent vacuuming removes soil particles before they get below the surface of the pile. Vacuum at least once a week in light traffic area and use attachments to clean carpet edges and corners. Vacuum twice weekly in medium traffic areas. For heavy traffic or pet areas, it’s a good idea to vacuum daily.

SPOT CLEANING

Clean spots and spills quickly with products specifically formulated for your carpet type. Check your warranty for recommended carpet cleaning products.

DEEP CLEANING

Professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months. The carpet cleaning equipment professionals use can extract dirt and grim more effectively than DIY rental units. The pros also know the correct cleaning agents to use for your carpet type.

STOP DIRT AT THE DOOR

Place doormats both outside and inside entryways to trap dirt and moisture before it’s tracked into the home. Remember to clean your mats regularly too.

MOVE HEAVY FURNITURE

Occasionally move your furniture to change foot traffic patterns and avoid excessive carpet pile crushing. on occasion won’t just renew the feel of your room, it will also help avoid excessive pile crushing. Also consider using carpet protectors under the legs of tables, chairs and other furniture to help distribute the weight.

USE QUALITY CARPET PADDING

One of the best things you can do to care for your carpet is using quality padding beneath. The right carpet pad not only gives better resilience and comfort underfoot, it can extend the life of your carpet.

Common Questions About Carpet

What types of carpet are available?

When it comes to carpet, the options are virtually endless. But carpet can be split into three basic categories, based on the characteristics of the carpet’s surface. This visible, wearable surface, consisting of tufts of yarn, is called “pile”. Carpets are categorized as “cut pile,” “loop pile,” or “cut and loop.” To learn more about each type of pile, and what might work best for you, contact your nearest Floor Store Location

How do I choose between natural and synthetic fiber?

This will depend on a number of factors, including your personal style, needs, and budget. Today, the majority of carpets on the market are made of synthetic fibers, including nylon, polypropylene or polyester. Natural fiber carpets are usually made of wool, though some carpets blend wool with materials such as silk, cotton or bamboo. Wool is generally considered one of the best and most attractive carpeting materials available and, as such, costs significantly more than many synthetic fiber options. However, there are soft, durable carpeting options made of synthetic fibers. A Floor Store associate can answer more questions about which options may best suit your personal needs.

I have a large room and am worried about seams. What should I know before choosing carpet?

Carpet usually comes packaged in a roll that’s not wide enough for most large rooms. Unfortunately, this means that seams are probably inevitable. However, a carpet installation professional will use a seaming diagram as a blueprint to ensure that seams are minimized and well-hidden within a room. With certain styles of carpet, seams show more than with others, so this might be a consideration. If you have particular concerns about seams within your room, consult a Floor Store associate to talk through your carpeting options.

Do I really need carpet padding?

Yes you do! Padding can make an enormous difference on how your carpet feels after installation. It absorbs much of the impact when walking on the floor, contributing to a softer feel and helping to preserve and maintain your carpet over time. Different carpet pads may be recommended for different types of carpet. We recommend that you consider purchasing a high quality carpet pad to ensure a long life for your carpet.