Category: Carpet

Choosing the Best Basement Carpeting

June 13, 2018

If you’re in the process of planning an upcoming basement renovation, you likely already know just how important it can be to select the right flooring materials for your space. Whether you’re looking to expand your space for the family to relax in, or are looking to upgrade your basement into a secondary suite, choosing the best flooring for your space will help protect against premature wear, unnecessary repair costs, and more.

A common question the we encounter at Ashley Fine Floors is whether or not carpet is a wise investment for basement renovations. While there’s no direct “yes” or “no” answer, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind if you’re considering selecting carpet for your flooring. Read on to find out the best ways to incorporate carpet into your basement renovation.

Why Consider Carpeting?

As those of us in Alberta will know, the colder months often contribute to cooler areas in our homes, including our floors. Carpet can be a cost-effective, stylish, way to brighten up your area as well as increase insulation and retain warmth.

What Are the Challenges?

Basements can be tricky to outfit due to the fact that the natural lower temperature and more frequent presence of moisture can be harsh on floors. That doesn’t mean you can’t use carpets, but it does mean that you’ll need to be a little more selective when choosing the type of carpeting you want to incorporate. It’s also wise to keep in mind that you will probably need to swap out your flooring every 10 years or so to prevent moisture build up and carpet rot.

How to Choose the Best Option

As we mentioned above, selecting the right quality will go a long ways towards preventing mould build up and premature aging. A few key features that make carpets basement friendly are:

  • Low pile: Low pile carpeting is thinner than high-pile styles, meaning it takes less time to dry out if it is exposed to moisture.
  • Thinner padding: Less padding may seem unappealing since it means less built-in warmth, it also means there’s less chance of the carpet sucking up and retaining liquid.
  • Opt for manmade: Organic materials such as wool are more susceptible to damage caused by becoming waterlogged. Carpets made out of nylon and polyester are better suited to repel liquids and to handle the more moist environments commonly found in basements.
  • Look for waterproof backings: certain types of carpets have special waterproof backings the prevent moisture from passing through, making them the perfect option for basement areas.

Bonus Tip

Watch where you install: Even if you’ve selected a carpet that can handle basement conditions, it’s best to reserve it for specific areas that are less exposed to water on a regular basis. Laundry rooms, bathrooms and kitchens are best suited to another type of flooring like vinyl or linoleum.

Ready to get started on your next project? Contact the team at Ashley Fine Floors today!

Winter Carpet Maintenance

September 14, 2017

Now that the cooler months have arrived it’s time for homeowners to consider the proper care for their carpets throughout the winter. Snow, dirt, and busy schedules can create wear and tear on even the best-kept surfaces. To avoid needing to replace your carpets earlier than usual, here are a few of our top tips for Winter Carpet Maintenance.

Place Mats Strategically

For rooms that will see higher daily traffic, it’s important to place mats at the entrance. Why? Mats will help you trap dirt and moisture before they can come into contact with your carpets. They’re also far easier to remove and clean, meaning you’ll spend less time on overall maintenance. For good measure, you’ll want to try and give your mats a good shake out/vacuum every other week, or as needed.

Shoes off!

It can be easy to forget to remove our shoes, especially when in a hurry. Taking those extra few seconds during the winter, however, can be a lifesaver for your floors. Salt, sand, dirt, and of course snow that are trapped in your tread can easily get buried in carpet fibres. Not only does that become tedious to remove, but where moisture is concerned, exposure can also lead to moulding or onset signs of carpet rot.

Amp up your care

Vacuuming may not be your favourite chore, but when it comes to extending the life of your carpet, it’s a must during the colder months. As we said, there’s a variety of different containments that could damage your flooring if left untreated. Try to double your typical vacuuming schedule. If you typically do bi-weekly, try to plan for once a week, etc. It’s also important to spot clean if you notice a trail of dirt being left behind.

Bonus tip:Notice a build up of road salt or sand? Fret not! You can treat it early on by mixing a 1-1 solution of water and white vinegar and misting it over the area (careful not to use too much. You want it moist, not soaked). From there, use a microfiber or terry cloth towel to gently blot the area, reabsorbing as much moisture as possible. Then, carefully rinse the area with warm water to remove any vinegar leftover and again, blot to absorb any moisture.

Plan to have your carpets professionally cleaned in the Spring

It’s a best practice to have your carpets professionally cleaned once a year to extend their lifetime, and most people opt to this in the Spring. That way all of the dirt and grime that may have accumulated during the winter is removed, leaving your carpet plush and like new! One thing to remember here is: book early! Many cleaners are booked months in advance, especially once the snow starts to melt. Thinking ahead will save you money, and avoid a potential headache.

Carpets are a fantastic way to keep your home warm and cozy in cooler temperatures. To learn more about what styles are best suited to your home, contact us today!

How to Properly Take Care of Your Carpet

July 27, 2016

Carpets, throw rugs and other soft floor coverings can add a lot to the ambiance and atmosphere of a house. They can add colour, texture, warmth and a sense of cozy hominess that hard floors can’t always provide. Even if you prefer hard floors, the occasional throw rug can help to protect your flooring and contribute to the general cleanliness of the house. Whether you’ve gone with full room carpeting or just a few rugs here and there, it’s important to give your carpets proper maintenance in order to keep them looking bright and clean. Here are some things you can do to care for your rugs.

Vacuum Regularly

This is a very simple way to keep your carpets in excellent condition. High traffic areas should be vacuumed daily, while the rest of the house should be vacuumed according to a regular schedule. Even lower traffic areas can become built up with dust and debris over time, and the longer it stays where it is, the deeper it will be ground into the carpet making it harder to remove. Make certain to use a high-quality vacuum cleaner and be careful to cover all exposed carpet, even if you have to move furniture, plants and throw rugs to do it.

Protect Trouble Spots

There’s something welcoming about a carpet that comes all the way up to the door, but that stretch of carpet can be a nightmare to keep clean. The same goes for the patch of carpet next to the kitchen floor, which is vulnerable to people unwittingly tracking spilled food out of the kitchen. If your dining room is carpeted, it is an obvious trouble spot. Make sure to protect these easily stained areas by putting down mats, adding throw rugs and cleaning regularly. You can also reduce the amount of dirt that is tracked in from outdoors by instituting a “no shoes in the house” rule, stopping dirt, mud and other debris at the door.

Take Care of Spills Immediately

Since carpets are (obviously) on the floor, the odds are good that anything you drop or spill will make its way down there no matter how careful you are. However, just because you’ve spilled something, it doesn’t mean it’s time to give up on your carpet. Blot out stains immediately, and vacuum up dry spills. Keep a bottle of spot cleaner on hand for when accidents happen. The sooner you get to work removing a stain, the greater chance you’ll have of eliminating it completely.

Start With Good Quality

High quality carpets are not only easier to maintain than poorly made floor coverings, they are so beautiful that you will want to spend the extra time it takes to keep them looking like new. Ashely Fine Floors sells gorgeous carpets, rugs and other flooring options to give your home the look you want. We also provide comprehensive instructions on how to care for all of our merchandise and are happy to answer any questions you might have. Let us help you make your home beautiful!

Contact us today!

How to Get Your Spring Cleaning Started

May 13, 2016

Spring is that time of the year when the weather starts to get warm, the birds begin to sing, and you start to notice that your house is extremely cluttered. It can be a pain to even think about how to begin cleaning your home, but it doesn’t have to be a difficult task. If you are able to plan your spring cleaning before you start, it’s going to be much more organized and a lot less time-consuming.

If you have a hard time getting started on cleaning your home, here are some tips and tricks for getting the job done.

Make a list
Before you start your spring cleaning, it is important to figure out exactly what it is you want to do. Make a list of all of the important and neglected areas of your home that need a good scrubbing or decluttering. Maybe you need to purge some of your clothing (to make room for more, of course), or maybe you want to finally clean the gunk and dust off of your window sills. No matter the task, making a list of your chores is an easy way to keep track of what you want to do and what you’ve already done. Plus, it always feels great to cross a task off of your list!

Don’t end up anti-purging
When we decide we’re going to get rid of clutter and old things we may not necessarily need anymore, we go in with a strong motivation and a will to purge many of the items we no longer deem worthy for our home. However, when the time actually comes to start getting rid of things, we often find ourselves keeping almost everything. We somehow are able to find a use for that pen you got from the dentist five years ago, even though it no longer works. It’s a strange urge to want to keep useless things, but it happens. When you make a plan to purge, resist the urge to run the other way.

Bring a buddy
When you need to get rid of old things or clean up your space, recruit a buddy to help you. You can repay them with pizza and other tasty treats for their service. A friend can help you take that extra leap to get rid of things you no longer need (if worse comes to worse, they can literally pry it from your hands). They can tell you if a particular shirt no longer looks good on you. It’s extremely helpful.

When you need to get spring cleaning, the only way to get it done is to buckle down and make a solid plan. Make sure you go in prepared in order to achieve success. Your home will be clean and back to normal in no time!

Now that your home is nice and clean, you’re probably thinking about a fresh start! Why not start with new flooring? Ashley Fine Floors has the selection and service you need to affordably upgrade your flooring in Edmonton and Calgary. Contact us now!