| Carpet |
From luxurious pastel plush to craggy berber tweeds,
carpet is a universally popular floor covering. The look
and feel of a carpet will depend on the type of fiber
used, the density of the tufts, and the degree of twist in
each strand. Carpet manufacturers have developed
many creative ways to combine those two methods to
create new more attractive or more durable carpet.
carpet is a universally popular floor covering. The look
and feel of a carpet will depend on the type of fiber
used, the density of the tufts, and the degree of twist in
each strand. Carpet manufacturers have developed
many creative ways to combine those two methods to
create new more attractive or more durable carpet.
Warmth - Carpet is the ideal choice for bedrooms, family rooms
and other areas where warmth underfoot is crucial.
Insulation - Carpet and carpet padding provide an extra layer
of insulation between floors of your home. In fact, depending on
its density and weight, carpet contributes to the resale value of
a home, adding to its energy efficiency.
Safety - Carpet provides a non-slip surface to prevent
accidents and a natural cushion in the event of a fall. This is
especially important for young children and the elderly.
Sound Reduction - Carpeting reduces noise better than any
other flooring choice. In fact, carpet dampens noise in three
ways: reducing surface noise from foot traffic, absorbing
airborne sound and blocking transmission of sound between
floors. These qualities are especially valuable in apartments
and semi-detached homes.
Surface Cosmetics - The addition of carpeting to a room can
disguise existing floor damage and hide other irregularities
such as uneven or warped floors.
Easy Care - Today's carpets are more stain-resistant than ever
before, making cleanups of even the worst spills a breeze.
Decorating Flexibility - Carpeting is the foundation of any
room's decor. And because it is available in so many textures
and colours, carpet creates an unlimited number of possibilities
for decorating. From neutral tones to rich solids to patterned
carpets that complement furniture, carpet is the first step in
your decorating plans.
Low Cost - Carpet offers an economical alternative to many
other flooring choices, and installation costs are typically less
than for hard surfaces.
Long Life - Today's carpets are remarkably durable and will
outlast many other varieties of floor covering.
and other areas where warmth underfoot is crucial.
Insulation - Carpet and carpet padding provide an extra layer
of insulation between floors of your home. In fact, depending on
its density and weight, carpet contributes to the resale value of
a home, adding to its energy efficiency.
Safety - Carpet provides a non-slip surface to prevent
accidents and a natural cushion in the event of a fall. This is
especially important for young children and the elderly.
Sound Reduction - Carpeting reduces noise better than any
other flooring choice. In fact, carpet dampens noise in three
ways: reducing surface noise from foot traffic, absorbing
airborne sound and blocking transmission of sound between
floors. These qualities are especially valuable in apartments
and semi-detached homes.
Surface Cosmetics - The addition of carpeting to a room can
disguise existing floor damage and hide other irregularities
such as uneven or warped floors.
Easy Care - Today's carpets are more stain-resistant than ever
before, making cleanups of even the worst spills a breeze.
Decorating Flexibility - Carpeting is the foundation of any
room's decor. And because it is available in so many textures
and colours, carpet creates an unlimited number of possibilities
for decorating. From neutral tones to rich solids to patterned
carpets that complement furniture, carpet is the first step in
your decorating plans.
Low Cost - Carpet offers an economical alternative to many
other flooring choices, and installation costs are typically less
than for hard surfaces.
Long Life - Today's carpets are remarkably durable and will
outlast many other varieties of floor covering.
| The following is a brief time line of the history of carpet from before Christ to the multi-billion dollar industry today. |
| 6000 BC Goats and sheep are sheared for wool and hair, which is then spun and woven. 1000 AD Marco Polo discovers rug making in Central Asia during trading mission. Traders spread the technique to Persia, India, China and North Africa. 1596 Pierre DuPont begins weaving carpets in Paris. 1685 Fleeing religious persecution, French weavers settle in England and set up operations in Wilton. 1770 - 1790 Hand-made carpet making flourishes in Britain, attracting top designers. 1791 William Sprague opens first U.S. woven carpet mill in Philadelphia. Others sprout up in early 1800s. 1839 U.S. manufacturer Erastus Bigelow invents the power loom for weaving carpets, doubling carpet production in the first year. 1800 - 1850 Industrial revolution in England sees rapid change in textile production. 1845 Alexander Smith starts carpet manufacturing plant in West Farms, N.Y., which later became the largest producer of carpets and rugs in the world. During World War I, the carpet looms were converted to make tent duck and navy blankets. 1877 Bigelow introduces the first broadloom carpet. 1900 - 1930 Thousands of local women around Dalton, Ga., are employed to sew hand-tufted Chenille bedspreads. 1926 U.S. industrialist Marshall Field modifies a weaving loom to create machine-made rugs woven through the back, similar to handmade Oriental carpets featuring intricate designs and unlimited color variety. 1930s First mechanized tufting machine developed in Dalton, revolutionizing the textile and carpet industries that flourished in the area. 1940 - 50 Tufted carpets begin to capture U.S. market, at the expense of woven carpet. 1947 Nylon yarns introduced, providing durable, luxurious quality fibers similar to wool, but much less expensive. 1950 - 1990 Tufted carpet market grows steadily, eventually capturing 90% of the carpeting market. Dalton, Ga., emerges as carpet capital of the world. 1965 Polyester carpeting introduced. 1970 - 1995 In Britain, woven carpet production declines by 70% as tufted production increases by 300%. |
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