How to Choose Carpet: Cut Pile vs. Loop Pile

Choosing the right carpet for your home might look like a straightforward job, however, it isn’t that easy if quality and durability are something that matters to you. There are many types of carpets available on the market all differing in design, colour, appearance and thickness. Out of all these things, quality and thickness are among the most important assets you should look for in a carpet. When in the search for the right carpet, you should know that there are two types from which you can choose: cut pile and loop pile carpets.

The carpet pile is the surface layer of the carpet, so its appearance and feel are the first things that you’ll see and feel. The weaving process of the carpet involves looping the fibres back and forth through the backing, which means that the carpet’s pile is determined by whether these fibres are left or clipped into their looped form. Consequently, the carpet pile plays a huge role in the carpet’s overall durability, appearance and ease of maintenance.

What Are Cut Pile Carpets?

cut pile carpet
Source: petmycarpet.com

The one thing we know about carpets is that cut pile carpets are the most sought-after type of carpets of all time. The name of these carpets comes from the process when the fibre loops are cut which results in an upright pile where the ends of the carpets are exposed. That being said, the cut pile type of carpets are diverse, available in different lengths, thicknesses and colours. Usually, they are made of polyester and wool whereas the ones made of polyester are commonly used for daily use. That’s because polyester is easier to maintain and clean which isn’t the case with wool carpets.

The secret behind the cut pile carpet’s beauty lies in its twist which helps the fibres to stand up and resist matting and crushing. Additionally, walking on them is extremely easy and pleasant since they are soft. The only downside is that they are more difficult to clean since the looser fibres allow dirt and liquid to easily get to the carpet itself.

What Are Loop Pile Carpets?

loop pile carpets
Source: onlinecarpets.co.uk

Loop pile carpets aren’t sheared like cut piles and they are constructed in many different thicknesses and weights. They are usually made from nylon, wool and olefin meaning that just like cut pile carpets, the loop pile types are also durable. Usually, these carpets are mainly used for stairs and hallways and show no signs of tracks and steps. Unfortunately, the fibres of these carpets can get easily snugged and pulled loose by pet claws and sharp objects which reduces their lifespan significantly.

Carpet Fibre Types

Wool

wool carpet
Source: floormania.com.au

If you’re looking for carpets made of quality and natural material then you should look for ones made of wool. Wool is a natural fibre that is extremely durable and amazingly comfortable. The main fact that wool is a natural fibre makes it an eco-friendly material and the perfect choice for those of you who suffer from allergies. Unfortunately, wool isn’t resistant to stains which means that cleaning stains can be quite difficult.

Nylon

Nylon is a synthetic material that is extremely durable, waterproof, versatile and resitant to moisture. In order to invest in a quality carpet, you have to choose between two types of nylon: 6.0 and 6.6 whereas the latter is considered a better choice.

Polyester

Polyester is another synthetic type of nylon that is less popular than nylon even though it almost has the same characteristics. Polyester is an extremely durable material that is also easy to clean. Even though it isn’t waterproof, still it can withstand a certain type of moisture.

Polypropylene

Also known as olefin, polypropylene is another popular synthetic type of material used for carpets. It’s water-resistant and soft which is the reason why a lot of people prefer it over nylon and polyester. Unfortunately, when compared to polyester and nylon, it seems that polypropylene wears quite easily which will lead to tears after a short period of time.

Triexta

triexta carpet
Source: thespruce.com

Triexta is a quite new type of fibre that is mainly made of polytrimethylene terephthalate which has almost the same properties as polyester. It’s said that triexta has the same durability properties as nylon which makes it a good choice for carpets.

As you can see, the choice for cut pile and loop pile carpets is huge which allows you to make the right choice. The most important thing for you is to decide whether you need a cut pile or loop pile carpet for your needs and then make a decision on the fibre. Whatever the type of carpet you choose, make sure to pick it from a trusted store that specialises in selling quality carpets. Otherwise, you risk spending your money on something that won’t satisfy or exceed your expectations.

Anti-Slip Rug Tape: Keep Your Rug from Moving And Slipping

Fishpools silky rug in blue grey

Dealing with a rug that keeps moving around the floor is a nerve-wracking thing, especially when it happens several times per day. While in the past, glue was the main solution for that kind of problem, nowadays, there is a more contemporary solution that can keep rugs in place. But most importantly, this solution won’t make damage to the floor and rug itself. One of the most popular solutions for that kind of problem is the use of anti-slip rug tape.

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Say Goodbye to Damaged Walls: Here’s Why You Should Get a Magnetic Door Stop

How many times were you cursing when the door slammed and scared you. Or perhaps you were annoyed when you were carrying heavy things in your hands and weren’t able to open the door. Also, constant opening and closing of doors can be quite a nag, especially if you frequently move from one room to another. You can easily ‘solve’ this problem with a door stop. If you consider to buy magnetic door stop, you should consider several things such as the type of walls you have, as well as the type of door stopper. Here is why door stoppers can help you keep your walls safe and always have the needed ‘help’ when you need a door to stay open wide.

What’s a Magnetic Door Stopper?

source: deerhardware.com

Made of two pieces of harder, a magnetic door stopper is as the name suggests, an item that helps you stop the door. One piece of it attaches to the bottom inside corner of the door, and the other piece is fixed to the bordering wall. When these two pieces meet, the magnetic door stopper can hold a door open and keep the wall from damages. Such door stoppers come in different finishes and styles, so you can choose what works for the style of your home.

Easy to install and quite small, the two pieces should ‘catch’ each other any time the door is open. The magnets, naturally have opposite forces that are strong enough to hold a door open. Keep in mind that the magnetic door stopper is not too strong; a simple tug on the door can separate the magnets, which allows you to close the door when necessary.

Why Get One

mat black magnetic door stop
source: hardwarebox.com.au

There are many reasons why you should buy a magnetic door stop. First of all, it will come in handy on breezy days when you have your windows open. This way the door won’t slam shut constantly. Also, you can use it to keep it open when moving things in and out of the room. If you’re frequently moving from one room to another, you’re probably tired of opening and closing the door constantly. This way the door will remain open for as long as you need it.

When cleaning the floors, the magnetic door stop will keep doors open so you can thoroughly clean every part of the floor. Finally, the door stopper will protect the door and the nearby wall from constant deterioration. Any time you open the door and it slams the wall, the paint will chip and soon you’ll have to fix that. Having a door stopper affixed will prevent this. After all, it’s easier to replace a worn door stopper than remodel the walls in your entire house.

How Do I Choose a Door Stop?

steel magnetic door stop
source: hallidaybaillie.com

When it comes to hardware basic, doorknobs can be some of the most hardest pieces in your home. If it constantly slams the wall, it can easily crack it or chip it. With time you will get a hole in the drywall. Never take the doorknobs for granted. This is why it’s essential to choose the right magnetic door stop.

There are two common types. The first one stops the mount on the hinge pin (called the hinge pin stop) and stops the mount in the baseboard on the wall. Hinge pin stops are installed by sliding a pin from the hinge through the hole in the stop. Most of these have a threaded post that lets you adjust how far the door will open. The baseboard-mounted stops are made of solid metal or a coiled steel spring.

Consider Door Location

two piece magnetic door stoper
source: mommytesters.com

Do you have space along the baseboard to add a door stopper? If there are ornate mouldings and baseboards, it’s perhaps better not to install it in the wood. In that case, hinge pin stops may work better. However, if your walls are regular and have no ornates or other things, you can easily attach the magnetic door stopper. Chose heavy-duty options for thicker and solid-core doors, so the magnet will be able to keep it ‘attached’ to the wall.

No matter how old or new your home is, to protect the walls and your doors, you can use door stoppers. Drift can cause serious damage to your doors, so you can install the stopper in any room starting from the main door, to the bathroom door. The good thing is that you can find magnetic door stoppers in any style, starting from vintage, to contemporary and modern.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Bathtub

round stone bath

There are many ways you can update and spruce up the look of your bathroom. Perhaps a good way to start is to change your old outdated bathtub and give your bathroom a new modernized appearance. Bathtubs come in a wide range of designs, types, and materials they’re made of. All of these play a vital factor in determining their price tag. 

Therefore it’s good to know the most important factors that constitute a good bathtub design, so you can find the best model on the market that accommodates your bathroom needs and individual taste. So, let’s dive into each of these feautures so you can get more knowledgeable on this matter and make a better and more informed purchase.

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Mixer Taps: Bring a Touch of Elegance to Your Bathroom

If you are designing a new bathroom or you want to change the look of your bathroom, then you may be considering purchasing a mixer tap. It consists of a hot tap, a cold tap, and a spout, and it’s very responsive to the temperature the user wants, alerted by either one or two controls to either fill the bath or create a drenching shower. Tapware is highly functional and is available in a wide variety of elegant surface finish designs to meet a range of applications. Whether it be your bathroom, your kitchen, or your laundry, tapware is a key focal point that adds elegance to the washbasin. It’s like the jewellery of your bathroom, making a modern design statement.

Mixer taps come in an array of types, styles, and designs. From the modern to the traditional, from the elegant to the simple, there is a large selection of design surfaces and recesses that you can choose from and hence add a unique charm to your bathroom. With so many options out there, it’s now easier than ever to individualise the appearance of your bathroom. And just as important as the appearance and functionality taps provide is the quality they comprise. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about mixer taps before you decide to make a purchase.

How to Choose the Perfect Mixer Tap

source: ikea.com

Bathroom tapware is undoubtedly one of the most important fixtures of any home. However, choosing the perfect tap for your bathroom can be daunting due to the sheer volume of types. You will find a huge range of mixer taps, including basin mixer taps, bath mixer taps, and bidet mixer taps. There are also bath shower mixer taps that come connected to a shower handset. They all come in both modern and traditional styles. But it’s quite easy to choose the right tapware for your bathroom if you know what to look for. Critical considerations include type and functionality, quality, and design.

Style

Before you make a purchase, it’s important to be aware of the need to match your tapware with the other elements in your bathroom. If you have a period-style bathroom, you can bring a touch of elegance with traditional mixer taps in chrome. They typically feature more eccentric, curvy edging reminiscent of Victorian, Edwardian, and Georgian periods. These grey-toned finishes have been used in bathrooms all around the world, presenting a sleek and luminous feel. By comparison, contemporary-style mixer taps feature more simplistic designs with either squared edges or cleaner curves. Moreover, the taps are now available in a variety of matt trend colours, adding unconventional charm to your bathroom. Finished in brushed nickel or polished nickel, the coloured tapware gives a luxury traditional finish that looks fantastic but does cost more than chrome.

Type and Functionality

source: deltafaucet.com

When it comes to mixers, there are numerous options to choose from. And each varies in dimensions depending on location, style, and function. There are mono mixer taps that feature a single or two controls and spout all together in one unit, as well as taps with multiple tap holes that usually only include 2 tap holes and 3 tap hole mixers. Furthermore, some mixers can be mounted on the wall or the edge of the bath, while others can be floor mounted and freestanding. There are also cloakroom mixer taps that are perfect for more compact spaces. Consider your fixtures and your application preference before deciding which tapware you need.

Quality

The quality of all tapware matters. The mixer type you choose needs to prove longevity. Also, you should pay attention to matters like metal leaching exceeding the limit values. That’s why testing the water-bearing materials within the mixer taps is very important. A quality mixer tap should not pass anything on to water, thus presenting no danger to health. So when choosing a mixer tap for your bathroom, look for certified mixer taps made of rust-proof stainless steel or completely nickel-plated brass. These materials are durable and robust, and will not affect your health.

 

A Guide to Power Point Sockets

power-point socket

It took humans about 2000 and odd years to make proper use of electricity since its accidental discovery back in 500 B.C by Thales of Miletus. Rubbing together a piece of fur on amber was all it took for static electricity to be created. While this type of electricity isn’t what the world relies on today it certainly was a good starting point for scientists. As centuries went by the exploration and improvement of the use of electricity was becoming more elaborate until 1882.
This is when houses started to be light up by hydroelectricity. Since then the quest to connect more homes to the grid has never stopped. The same goes for electrical equipment which has been improved upon continuously. Since 1928 there has been a safe outlet was created and since then outlets have only become safer and more convenient. This has also created a lot of different electrical power points.

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5 Must-Have Outdoor Kitchen Appliances

An outdoor kitchen is the perfect spot to create culinary masterpieces or just enjoy a glass of wine and nicely grilled meat. With an outdoor kitchen, you expand your living space and get a cozy spot where you can entertain your friends and family over cold drinks and exquisite food. But, before we jump to the part where you sip wine, we have to go through the part where you make your outdoor kitchen functional with the help of kitchen appliances.   

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