Carpet Network Blog – “What’s Under Foot”

Archive for category Helpful Product Information

World Record for a Pie Fight?

Jan 13

Posted by admin in Carpet, Helpful Product Information

Carpet Network is proud to be associated with the largest and most innovative flooring manufacturers who will go to extreme lengths to prove that their flooring can withstand the unthinkable!

SmartStrand-Rhino-Challenge

You remember in August, Mohawk had Ricko the Rhino live on their SmartStrand Carpet and after that time, a lucky team got to clean the carpet and it looked like new.  The product is amazing!  You can check out the SmartStrand Challenge here.

Most recently, Shaw Floors set a world record but not for producing the most carpet or anything even remotely related to flooring.  Their Guinness Book of World Records is for the largest pie fight!  Yes, I said Pie Fight!  The event had over 400 participants and 1,200 cherry, chocolate and apple pies.  Yum!

pie fight

The January 7th event was coordinated to promote its Anso nylon products.  Anso nylon is known for its durability and ease of cleaning but this event gave Anso nylon a new name.

After 3,000 pounds of pies had been thrown, trampled and ground into the carpet, Shaws cleaning team got to work and made it look like new.  I think this product would make it in my house with two kids and two dogs!

Check out the video and see how the Anso Nylon carpet looks like new after a thorough cleaning.

pie fight floor

What a mess!

This blog is brought to you by the people of Carpet Network.

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The Destruction Powers of Low Relative Humidity

Oct 28

Posted by admin in Hardwood Floors, Helpful Product Information

Natural Birch

Natural Birch

We are just at the beginning of heating season and in many areas of the country, that can coincide with reduced humidity levels indoors.  Just like people, wood floors need normal living conditions to function properly.  Typical recommendations are between 30 and 50 percent relative humidity and a temperature between 60 to 80 degrees.

In climates where low relative humidity coincides with the heating season (in the Northeast and Midwest for example), a whole house humidification system that turns on with the heat can really help.  Whole house humidification systems that aren’t dependent on heat are available for arid climates such as the Southwest (at minimum, small portable humidifiers can also be used).  Keeping humidity levels constant – even if they are on the low or the high side – is better than a roller coaster of relative humidity levels.

Lack of moisture can cause a host of problems for wood floors.  Once issue is the appearance of seasonal gaps between boards.  In some areas of the west where relative humidity levels can be as low as 4.5%, floors experience “dry cupping” which happens when the top of the boards is drier than the bottom of the board.  Typically the cause of the imbalance is excess moisture from the subfloor but it can also happen because of excessive drying on the top of the board.

In conclusion, maintaining the relative indoor humidity in your home can have an added benefit, as you make the wood floors, wood furniture and cabinetry in your home more comfortable, you will be more comfortable too!

This blog is brought to you by the people at Carpet Network.

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What’s Under Foot? Depends on whose foot we are talking about…

Aug 5

Posted by admin in Helpful Product Information

mens-meetingImagine being at the conference table at Mohawk Industries in Dalton, Georgia (The Carpet Capital of the World) when this idea for a marketing campaign was being pitched:

Take a 2,800 pound black rhino (named Ricko) and install SmartStrand carpet in his enclosure at The Birmingham Zoo and document his activity for 14 days in mid-August.

After the laughter settled, the idea must have gotten traction, because all the world will get to look in on the moment-to-moment activities of Ricko the Rhino.  Starting on Friday, August 14th through Friday, August 28th, we can see the good, bad and most assuredly, the very ugly trampling of all sorts of rhino debris up close and personal.  Seems to me that ten minutes would do plenty of damage to suit my taste, but heck, if Mohawk can get two weeks of voyeurism going, why not?Mohawk 14 Day Challenge

I for one, can’t wait to see how the carpet cleans up!  Knowing that Mohawk would never put themselves into a compromising position I fully expect the results to be exceptional.  For those homeowners who don’t have a rhino living with them clean up is typically a matter of warm water and mild detergent or Mohawk FloorCare™ Essentials spray cleaner.  This will be the ultimate test of SmartStrand®’s superior stain resistance  (which is engineered into the fiber and will never wear or wash off).   The fiber even resists the discoloring effects of bleach.

Hats of to those who came up with this marketing idea, it should be a wild ride!

This blog is brought to you by the people at Carpet Network.

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Danger lurking in the bathtub – avoid accidents!

Jul 22

Posted by admin in Franchisee Spotlights, Helpful Product Information

In this edition of  “What’s Under Foot,” the Carpet Network Spotlight falls on Mark Priewe, Carpet Network  in Green Bay who is doing his part to keep his clients safe.
Mark Priewe

Mark Priewe

No room poses a bigger threat to safety than the bathroom.  Slip and fall accidents when entering and exiting the bathtub contributes to nearly 25% of hospital admissions for people age 65 and older and the most common result is a hip fracture.

Mark Priewe, representing Carpet Network in the Green Bay, WI area is doing his part to help prevent accidents for his customers.  Mark has assisted many of his clients with the design of beautiful custom shower replacements for their bathtubs.  Mark’s expertise at suggesting long term solutions  keeps people in their homes enjoying peace of mind without sacrificing their desire for  a beautifully custom tile designed bathroom.    The clients whose rooms are spotlighted below,  were concerned about their future, one by preparing for possible physical limitations and the other as a result of dual hip replacements.

Not only is Mark interested in providing an aesthetically pleasing solution, he ensures that the craftsmanship is long lasting and hygienic by using the Schluter-Shower System, a complete waterproofing system for maintenance-free tiled showers. This system helps ensure success by eliminating the risk of failures due to vapor and/or water penetration.

From these room scenes, you can readily see that porcelain tile can be adapted to suit any décor, whether it be a traditional art deco design black-and-white-bathroomblack-and-white-showeror something with warm neutral texture and accents.  These examples are of modest sized bath spaces but by featuring a shower, the space is visually enlarged.

Notice the attention paid to the slightest detail,  such as the octagon shaped tile accenting the arch above the shower and the use of the striking black tile to draw the eye to the step up and the shower seat as well as to highlight focal points.

With the beige tile Mark used a variety of shapes and directions to create interest as well as a terrific insert tile for the border.  The use of the diagonal orientation of the tile on the floor visually opens up the  space giving the impression that the room is larger.  By carrying the wall tile to the ceiling, the room is not only easy to clean, but does not need any addition ornamentation.  It has a clean, crisp, contemporary look that is now safe and functional.

Here is a quote from the happy homeowner: 

“As we age, (and we all do), our bodies start to fall apart.  I have a double hip transplant which was making it quite difficult to get in and out of the tub.  You and your crew have now made my life so much easier with my new walk in shower.

My bathroom is the talk of the neighborhood.  It is truly gorgeous.”  J. -  Green Bay

To contact Mark Priewe, call 920-434-3401.

tile-shower-beigetile-floor-and-wall-beige

This article is brought to you by the people at Carpet Network.

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Quality Is Remembered…

Jun 11

Posted by admin in Franchisee Spotlights, Laminate Floors

In this post we spotlight a testimonial from one of our customers who was so pleased with Carpet Network and specifically, Al Hoffmann, she wanted to share her experience.  Enjoy!

To whom it may concern:

We all know how hard it is to get a decent job done in our homes by a contractor, let alone a good job.  Finding someone reliable, honest, knowledgeable that will not overcharge for the work done is a task I thought impossible.

Having a home that was built in the early 70’s has been quite a project as it has become a “fixer upper” over time.  Things just have to be updated, replaced, etc., anything but fixed, because they are too old to be fixable.  So we tried contractor after contractor.  We tried the friend of a friend who knew how to do this and that.  Should have known that just because it was cheap, it did not have to be good.

Well, as it turns out, that principle no longer applies in general.  A leaking hose behind the refrigerator ruined my laminate kitchen floor within two days.  So I called Al Hoffmann from Carpet Network.

Al and Dawn Hoffmann

Al and Dawn Hoffmann

He is the person who actually identified the problem with the bulging boards.  I knew Al and Carpet Network because he had taken care of one of our bathrooms and did an incredible job.

We were concerned because we did not want to make the same mistake twice by putting laminate in the kitchen again.  Al suggested vinyl, and at first, the idea of vinyl and laminate did not appeal to us.  But, his ideas were great.  His suggestions worked out and my kitchen looks amazing.

However, the bigger problem was saving the laminate floor from the dining room that is connected to the kitchen.  Using leftover boards that were still in good shape to save the dining room floor was a huge challenge.   The combination and the division between the two rooms looks even better than before.  Thanks Al!Laminate dining room and vinyl kitchen floors

I recommend Al Hoffmann from Carpet Network to anyone who wants a more than excellent job at an incredible price.  But most of all, the approachibility and pleasantness he practices when working with is customers is amazing.  I left him alone in my home to do the work and I was perfectly comfortable knowing that the job would get done in a timely manner, that there would be no mess when he was done and that I would be happy with the end results.  What an incredible experience we had with Carpet Network.  Al is by far the best person we have worked with since we moved in.  Too bad he doesn’t do other construction work.  But even so, he is connected with some of the best contractors in the area for all kinds of services like plumbing, general contracting, electric, etc.

I would say “good luck” to you getting a good flooring guy!  If you get Al Hoffmann from Carpet Network, you will not need luck.

Sincerely,

AD – Toms River, NJ

This article is brought to you by the people at Carpet Network.

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Why a Carpet Network Carpet Installation is Different

May 18

Posted by admin in Carpet, Franchisee Spotlights

Today’s spotlight is on Janine and Bob Klein, Carpet Network owners in the Pittsburgh, PA area.
On their minds is how a Carpet Network carpet installation is different.

Proper methods for installing carpet are an extremely critical part of the process of replacing the carpet in your home. Don’t settle for less than the industry standards as outlined by the Carpet and Rug institute, (a well respected organization recognized for establishing benchmarks of excellence). Visit their website at www.carpet-rug.org. Carpet Network’s team of installers carefully adhere to these standards.

Carpet Craftsman

Carpet Craftsman

They are professionally trained and skilled craftsmen who take great pride in their work, paying attention to critical details such as power stretching, proper seam creation and placement, removal of the exisiting flooring, carefully moving your furniture and vacumming the job when they are finished.

Janine and Bob Klein

Janine and Bob Klein

Carpet Network stands behind every installation performed with a Life Time Installation Guarantee. In the unlikely event that a seam should need repair or the carpet re-stretched, you can rest assured that the Carpet Network professionals will honor the warranty and repair the problem. In fact, following each and every installation performed, Carpet Network will contact you to ensure that every detail of the installation was performed to your satisfaction. We also mail out a survey card for you to complete; offering you the opportunity to rate our service in many specific areas. We carefully review the comment cards and make adjustments whenever necessary to improve. We are proud that over the last several years we have earned awards for Excellence In Customer Satisfaction. We also are proud to be an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau.

You can trust the team of professionals at Carpet Network to assist you in choosing the correct product for your needs and to walk with you every step of the way! Visit Bob and Janine Klein in the Pittsburgh, PA area.

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Name this Blog Contest!

May 15

Posted by admin in Helpful Product Information

Thank you for all of your terrific suggestions!  The winner is:  “What’s Under Foot” submitted by Bryan Klugh.  Bryan is the recipient of a $50.00 AmEX gift card.  Congratulations!

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Allergy Friendly – Carpet

May 5

Posted by Christine Rankin in Carpet, Green Solutions

Studies have shown that carpet is better at trapping allergens than hard surface, such as tile or hardwood, because carpet fibers catch particles and allergens that fall to the floor. When allergens are trapped in the carpet, they cannot circulate in the air to breathe. Proper cleaning is performed with a vacuum that effectively sucks up dirt and dust from the carpet, locks it in the machine and keeps it out of the air.Sometimes, new carpet may also have a “new carpet smell.”  Scientific studies show that new carpet is one of the lowest emitters of VOCs into the indoor environment. In fact, carpet emits less VOCs than other products such as paint. Further, these emissions clear very quickly. The low-level VOC emissions and the harmless odor from new carpet dissipate within the first 48 to 72 hours after installation – even sooner with the ventilation of fans, open windows or doors.

The Carpet and Rug Institute offers Green Label and Green Label Plus testing and certification to indicate carpet, carpet backings, cushions and adhesives that emit low VOCs. In fact, the Green Label carpet program has such a positive impact on the indoor environment that the American Lung Association approves its use in its Healthy Homes programs. Additionally, the Green Label Plus program’s tough standards exceed the green building requirements dictated by California schools.

So if you are concerned about asthma, allergies or VOCs, be sure to ask about Green Label and Green Label Plus carpet, cushion and adhesive options.

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Why Laminate?

May 4

Posted by admin in Laminate Floors

There are many good reasons why laminate flooring is a popular choice in today’s homes.

But if it’s going to be a possibility for your home, don’t you need to know what laminate is, first? We thought so.

Laminate is a manufactured product that simulates the look of hardwood, laminate tile, natural stone and many other types of flooring.

Now, in the past, laminate floors have been easy to spot, but today’s technology allows manufacturers to create realistic visuals and textures for an elegant and quality floor.

We think you’ll be amazed – maybe surprised — at how faithfully and beautifully laminate flooring resembles other premium flooring. So don’t say we didn’t warn you!

In fact, many of today’s laminate styles consist of extremely authentic wood or natural stone visuals to accommodate any room in your home.

Laminate is well suited to those shoppers who want the look of real hardwood or stone but without the cost or maintenance that can be associated with natural products.

It’s a fact. Laminate flooring costs significantly less than hardwood floors or natural stone tile. And who doesn’t want to save money, right?

So, laminate seems to be popular among buyers who are looking for a beautiful, durable, yet cost-effective flooring solution for their home.

And laminate floors function well in any space with their many different styles and colors.
You can choose from natural colors and dark wood grains as well as warm or cool color tones to compliment any room décor in your home.

And if the “plank” look interests you, many hardwood plank designs are offered in laminate, including rare, exotic wood species.

Laminate stone and tile patterns will give you the elegant look of tile, but without the concerns of grout cleaning or cracking tile. Something you might want to consider.

And if yours is a busy household or a home with children, a durable, low maintenance product like laminate flooring is a great choice for your active lifestyle.

Because laminate flooring is stain resistant, it doesn’t need to be varnished or waxed. Hooray!
Laminate floors are also less likely to fade in direct sunlight, unlike aging hardwood floors.

And don’t sweat it if you feel a little unfamiliar with this product. Laminate floors are relatively new to this country, but have been used in Europe for more than 25 years.

Why Europe you ask? Since laminate flooring can be installed over many types of existing floors it has made it a natural for old European buildings.

But more and more Americans are becoming familiar with laminate flooring because they have been aware of laminate countertops for years.

By using the countertop technology and adding considerably more resin to the wear layer, some laminate floor manufacturers boast that their laminate floors are now 10 to 20 times harder than laminate countertops.

Since this resin filled wear layer is so dense, it becomes extremely difficult to stain or scratch.
And here’s something you might find interesting. Laminate floors are never secured directly to the subfloor, instead they are floated over the subfloor.

This allows laminate flooring to be used over a wide variety of subfloors, including wooden subfloors, existing floors and even concrete slabs.

Which may explain why, today, laminate flooring has become one of the best selling floor coverings in the United States.

Laminate floors offer many benefits to you and your home, including:

· Exceptional durability
· Easy to clean surface
· Superior stain resistance
· Superior fade resistance
· Install in/on all grade levels, even below grade
· Install over many different types of subfloors
· Great impact and indentation resistance
· Exceptional realism at affordable costs
· Easy to replace later on, if desired

Given all that, maybe laminate flooring is for you.

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Factors to consider for eco consciousness

Apr 22

Posted by Christine Rankin in Green Solutions

These factors should be part of your decision making process when considering which floor coverings that best fit with your eco consciousness.

Transportation

  • Be cautious of products that have to be transported long distances.  Energy used in the transportation of the product may cancel out any perceived benefits.
  • Choose products made or grown within 500 miles of your location.
  • Shop locally when possible from vendors that supply locally.

Installation

  • Use adhesives with low VOC’s.
  • Choose watebased finishes over solvent-based ones.

Use and Maintenance

  • Once installed, some floors continue to give off gas compounds.  Ventilation of the room will help dispell any off-gassing from products.
  • Avoid less durable floors which have to be replaced more frequently.  Often the labor cost to install a long lasting floor is the same as for a less durable one.
  • Avoid high maintenance floors that need harsh chemicals too keep them clean or polished.  The life cycle costs may outweight the original cost of the floorcovering over its lifetime.
  • Consider floors that don’t have to be refinished.

End of Life

  • What will happen to the floor when it has reached the end of its lifecycle?
  • Can the floor be recycled or reused?
  • Can the floor be donated to charity?
  • In general, synthetic products don’t decay, but they can be recycled.
  • Natural products will decompose.

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