Monthly Archives: August 2016

Basement Carpeting: What You Need to Know

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In our previous blog post, we discussed how area rugs can help insulate a cold basement. Let’s now take a closer look at how wall-to-wall carpeting can do even a better job.

Finished Basement Carpeting

Basement Carpeting: Style and Comfort

Carpet is a great floor covering option for a finished basement. It’s warm, soft, and cushioned, making it ideal for covering a cold cement floor. Carpet is also a flexible material that can help level out any uneven surfaces.

You may be wondering if a certain type of carpet is better for underground living than others. Unless your basement suffers from an excessive moisture problem, you can install any style of carpet that makes your finished basement look just right. On the other hand, there are some issues to consider before settling on a fabric.

Synthetic Carpet

Fibers: Natural or Synthetic

Carpet fibers come in two categories: synthetic (man-made) fibers and natural fibers. Synthetic fibers are generally the better choice for basements, simply because do not retain moisture the way that natural fibers do.

Basements are naturally damp, being underground. Therefore, your floor covering material needs to be able to withstand increased moisture levels. Because synthetic fibers are able to release moisture, they are less prone to developing mold or mildew in or under the carpet. If you do choose natural fibers, it is essential that the carpet features synthetic backing material to protect your investment from the damage dampness could cause.

Carpet Padding

 

Carpet Padding Is a Plus

Most residential carpets are installed over padding, in addition to having synthetic backing. On a cold, hard basement floor, a soft pad is essential for comfort and warmth. Underpad is generally fine to use in a basement, provided it is also synthetic. Opt for a polyurethane foam pad as a top choice.

When to Avoid Carpet

If your basement is not finished and dry, carpeting can be a risky investment. If you don’t have an insulated basement that is protected from outside leaks, or if your basement regularly floods for some reason, then your carpet is sure to deteriorate and produce mold and mildew. In such cases, your best bet is to leave your cement floor uncovered. If you wish to have something covering the cement, opt for a piece of inexpensive outdoor carpet that is designed to withstand water.

Flooded Carpeting

If you’re thinking about installing carpeting in your basement, don’t hesitate to contact us at Dover Rug. We’re happy to consult with you!

5 Ways Area Rugs Improve a Room

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An area rug is a common addition to a hard surface floor such as hardwood, laminate, or tile. And as we’ve seen in our last blog post, it can do wonders on wall-to-wall carpeting. Area rugs have a unique way of bringing together all of the elements of a room – for example, they can pull together various colors used in the décor. But the benefits of area rugs extend far beyond style. If you’re not sure if an area rug is right for your space, then read on. You may find it improves your room in several ways.

Dover Rug & Home new in the showroom.

Noise Reduction

An area rug can significantly decrease noise. Not only is it quieter to walk on than a hard surface floor, it also absorbs sound from the air. Do you notice that your room has a slight echo? That’s because the hard surface floor does not absorb sound in the same way that carpet does. Lay down an area rug, and listen to the difference.

Noise Reduction

Comfort

It’s no secret that rugs are much softer than hardwood or tile. Not only is it more comfortable to stand or sit on, but its softness gives it flexibility, which allows the carpet to absorb some of the impact of your footstep. This literally takes some of the pressure off your body.

Rug Comfort

Warmth

Rugs are warmer than hard surface flooring. They have  greater insulating value, especially if you use a pad under the rug. Pads are especially welcome in cold basement level rooms.

Area Rug Pad

Anchor Effect

An area rug helps space feel grounded by “anchoring” the furniture in a room, creating a cozy, intimate space. For example, a living room or family room rug should be large enough that the main pieces of furniture (sofa, loveseat, chair, coffee table) are all sitting on the rug, or at minimum have the front legs on the rug. Without the rug, it can feel as though the furniture is ‘floating’ in the room.

Anchor Effect of Rug

Allergies

Recent studies have shown that rugs can be beneficial to allergy sufferers because it traps allergens – thereby keeping them out of the air, where they will be breathed in. If you have no carpet in your home and suffer from allergies or other breathing conditions, you may find that an area rug will help alleviate some of those problems. Read more about how carpet can help improve allergy symptoms.

If you’ve decided that an area rug makes sense for your space, then check out these tips on choosing the perfect rug. Or stop by any of Dover Rug’s locations for an in person consultation. We have traditional, transitional and contemporary designs for every taste.