If you miss the lush look and feel of carpeting, but are concerned about allergens or the commitment of a permanent installation, new products at House of Broadloom in Sudbury could be just what you’ve been looking for.
Fall flooring trends bring the warmth and beauty of carpet back into the spotlight with easy-care options that are simple to install and can actually inhibit allergens in the home.
Studies on indoor air quality have shown that contrary to popular belief, carpet can be the best option for those with allergies, says House of Broadloom Flooring Specialist Larissa Herbert. “Most homeowners want to rip out carpet and install hard surfaces to help with allergies. However a new, well-maintained carpet would be the better solution.”
Particles such as dust, pollen, and pollutants are held in place by carpet fibers but on hard flooring, those particles lay on the surface. “When you turn your forced air on, or just walk around, you are actually stirring those particles and making them airborne again. This can cause allergies to flare up,” says Herbert.
“With a regular cleaning regime, your vacuum will pull those particles out of the carpet and trap them in the filter.” Cleaning your vacuum and changing filters is paramount to reducing allergens in the home. “So, change those filters! Just like in the fall when we change the filters on our furnace, you should also do the same with your vacuum.”
Mohawk Air.o Carpet
One of the industry’s newest innovations is Air.o unified soft flooring by Mohawk which is made from hypo-allergenic and odor-free advanced polymers. The fibers don't absorb moisture, so they help prevent the growth of allergens and microbes. And because it is engineered with just one material, Air.o is the only 100% recyclable soft flooring available.
The most unique aspect of this product is a soft underpad integrated right into the carpet, which provides better airflow to release more dust and dirt with each vacuum. Because of this unified design, Air.o doesn’t need stretching like traditional carpet.
Installation is as simple as rolling it out in the space, cutting to size and then installing using double-sided tape. “Even if your room is oversized and requires a seam, the seam is taped down as well,” Larissa explains. “It does not require any fancy tools, just a straight edge, measuring tape and a utility knife.”
Flor by Interface
When the luxury of carpet meets the simplicity of tile, the options are virtually endless! Carpet tiles by Flor are washable, durable and completely customizable to your space. “Flor by Interface provides endless design options”, says Herbert. “Colour, bold patterns, subtle design, jute look, animal print, solids, mix and match... it’s seriously endless.”
Flor carpet tiles are installed using stickers. Simply place the tiles until you have the desired layout then pull each piece back and apply the sticker. “The beauty of this method, especially in high traffic areas, is that if a tile becomes stained or damaged you can just pull it up and replace it with a new tile and a fresh sticker to keep it together.”
“I personally have one in my living room, and absolutely love it,” says Larissa. “With a very active household, a husky, and a cat, this carpet cleans like a breeze. I have had it down for over a year, and spilled numerous beverages/food and it cleans up so easily. I have yet to replace a tile.”
The real beauty of this product is how easy it can be to update the space. Want to bring in those rich fall tones? Just cut the stickers, stack the tiles in a pile, set aside in a closet, garage or under the bed, and then put down a new rug. When you’re ready to bring back that look, simply reinstall. The system is so easy you can update your flooring whenever you feel like freshening the space.
Visit House of Broadloom at 68 Lorne Street in Sudbury to learn more about these innovative new trends and pick up product samples that you can bring home to try in your own space.