All About Carpet Durability and Foot Traffic for Your Home

How Long Will My Carpet Last? 

All about Carpet Durability, Carpet Cost and specifications

• All About Carpet Durability and Foot Traffic for Your Home,

• Carpet Cost, Carpet Durability,

• How Long Does Carpet Last?

 

There are several carpet specifications that will help determine if a carpet can handle your level of foot traffic. The main factors most homeowners must consider are:

 

Carpet Fibers

There are several different types of carpet fibers to choose from. For example; Nylon is known as the most durable fiber available today and is also the most expensive to manufacture. But not all nylon fibers are created equal. Some are more durable than others and some nylon fibers are made softer than others due to the diameter or “denier” of the strand. The thinner the fiber strand the softer the carpet will feel. But does a softer feel make for a less durable carpet? I think so…

Tuft Twist

When groups of fiber strands are gathered together and twisted they form into “Tufts” These tufts are inserted into the carpet backing to create various styles of carpet. When the tufts are twisted together they use heat to “set” the tufts – similar to how women use a curling iron to curl their hair. The number of twists formed per lineal inch is how they determine the “Tuft Twist” rating. Most plush style carpets have a tuft twist rating of 4 to 6.

Frieze styles are known for having a tuft twist rating of 6 to 8. Generally speaking, the higher the tuft twist rating the longer your carpet will retain it’s “like new” appearance. This is because over time the tufts may begin to lose their twist or “blossom”, causing the carpet to gradually lose it’s like new appearance.. Some carpet fibers are able hold their “twist” better than others and this ability is known as being more “resilient” Nylon is the most resilient carpet fiber available today. Polyester is the least resilient carpet fiber.

Face-Weight

Carpet face-weight is the weight of the fiber that is used to manufacture the carpet pile. Face weights range from 20 ounces to 120 ounces and most residential carpets sold today are between 30 to 60 ounces. Generally speaking, the higher the face-weight, the more durable the carpet will be. But this does not always hold true. If the pile height is too tall, it may be more prone to matting and crushing.  Depending on your level of foot traffic, you may need to limit the pile height and increase the face weight. This is what we call the “Pile Density” rating.

Pile Height /Density Rating

Using a mathematical formula we can take the Pile height and pile face-weight to determine the Pile Density rating. Generally speaking, the higher the pile density the more durable a carpet will be. This holds true more often when the pile height is not too high as to limit the potential for matting and crushing of the pile.  Once the carpet tufts begin to fall over, crush and collapse the carpet will lose its like-new appearance. Some carpet fibers are more prone to matting and crushing than others. With nylon carpet, a good cleaning may help restore the tufts to their original upright position and allow your carpet to regain some or all of its like new appearance.   However, carpets made from other fibers may not yield the same favorable results. What is the best pile height and density rating for the carpet that will best serve your needs and goals? 

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How Do I Choose the Right Carpet Fiber? What is BCF?

How do I choose the Right Carpet Fiber?

What Does BCF Mean?

Q. I have four kids and three dogs. I need a carpet that is able to take a beating. My question: I am confused about carpet specifications. What is BCF?  I see these initials on the back of some carpet samples but not others? What does this mean?

Alan’s response:

BCF stands for Bulked Continuous Filament. You want to buy a carpet made from a continuous filament fiber. The work “Bulked” refers to a process where the manufacturer makes the strand of fiber beefed up, or bulked to create a fatter and more beefy feel. Think of it like using a volumizer on your hair, it makes it feel thicker and fuller.  The “CF” or Continuous Filament, means the strand is formed or “extruded”  in one long strand.  When they make carpet from a CF fiber is virtually eliminates the shedding and fuzzing that you experience with a carpet made from a Staple Fiber. 

Learn About My Carpet Buying Guide

What is a Staple Fiber?

A Staple Fiber is short lengths of fiber, usually 3 to 10 inches long, that are spun together to make a long strand. Strands are then twisted to form a tuft. When carpet is made using staple fibers, the carpet will tend to shed and fuzz for up to a year after installation. While this is normal, it is not a result that most homeowners enjoy living with. When you vacuum up bag after bag of loose fibers, it makes you think your new carpet will shed so much it will eventually become totally bald! So unless you like vacuuming three times a day, I suggest you be sure to buy a carpet made from a Continuous Filament Fiber. 

Read My full article here

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What is a Good Carpet Choice for Kids Dogs Cats and Pets?

Q. I am looking for a good quality carpet that can withstand children, cats, dogs and heavy traffic. I have a formal living room that you land in upon entering my house. To get to any other part of the house at that point, one needs to walk through the living room. My biggest problem is the traffic marks from the front door, across the living room and down the hallway to the bedrooms. This gets dirty fast.

Alan’s response:

A Nylon Frieze is one of the most durable and best-wearing carpet styles. There is only one type of carpet fiber that can withstand kids, pets, and heavy traffic, it’s a Nylon Frieze. Depending on how long you want your carpet to last, you need to choose accordingly. I suggest you take my free Carpet Foot Traffic Test and follow the prompts until you determine what face-weight and pile density might best meet your needs and goals. 

For example: A 100% nylon frieze carpet style with a tuft twist of at least 6, a face weight of 38 to 45-oz, and a pile density of at 1800-2200 is designed to withstand 10 to 15 years of medium to heavy traffic. Frieze styles wear so well because they have a higher tuft twist and Nylon is the most durable fiber. Smartstrand by Mohawk is another good option if you want a carpet that is easy to clean and is excellent at resisting stains. Between Nylon and Smartstrand I think that the most important thing to consider is your budget and how long you want your new carpet to last. Overall, Nylon will last longer, but Smartstrand will be a bit easier to clean. Smartstrand is also known as Triextra or PTT or Sorona and was invented by DuPont. Personally I am a fan of Nylon because it has stood the teat of time for over 70 years while Smartstrand has been around for about 10 years.

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Increased Profits for Landlords, Real Estate Investors

 

Increased Profits for Landlords & Real Estate Investors

Attention Landlords,  Real Estate Investors, and Property Managers

 

Are you spending a fortune on carpet & vinyl flooring

replacements and flooring repairs?  

My strategic flooring management systems can help you save a

fortune on carpet & vinyl flooring replacements…

Guaranteed!

1. Carpet & Vinyl Replacement and Repair Strategies  

You can’t win unless you have a strategic game plan. So far you have been losing thousands of dollars every year. During my 30- years in the flooring business, I have developed many powerful strategies, procedures and methods that can save you thousands on carpet and vinyl replacements. My strategic game plan incorporates an aggressive approach and solution to your  ongoing problem of spending too much on flooring replacements and repairs.  My program is guaranteed to save you money!  It is easy and quick to implement and you can even keep your current flooring vendors and installers. Call me today and lets talk about the many ways I can help you increase your rental profits!

 

Let me be clear, I don’t sell carpet or flooring materials. I do not require you to stop using anyone who you are currently doing business with. I can save you money no matter who you do business with right now. My flooring management solution is revolutionary. You will be amazed.

 

What you need to know about my services upfront:

• This is NOT a way to buy material through a new supplier.
• My service does NOT require you to change distributors or vendors
• I do NOT require you to hire a different installer or installation company
• I do NOT require you to change your property management company.
• I WILL take a hard look at the flooring materials you are currently using to determine if they are a suitable match for you based on the tentants you typically rent to and the long term goals you wish to achieve.
• I WILL take a hard look at how your flooring is currently being installed and will suggest changes that can dramatically effect the overall outcome and longevity of your flooring materials.
• I WILL implement many unique and powerful strategies that will save you a large amount of money, month after month, YEAR AFTER YEAR.

 

2. Maintenance Training for apartment complexes. 

Training your maintenance people about flooring maintenance and care can save you a ton of money! You’ll be amazed how much money you will save. My methods and strategies are revolutionary. I can save you money in ways you never thought possible. You have everything to gain, but only if you are willing to consider what I have to offer. Read on…

 

3. My Landlord Flooring Management Guide. 

Every apartment investor and maintenance supervisor should have a copy of my powerful property management guide entitled “Landlord Floors – Carpet and vinyl management for rentals”  in their bookshelf. It is the new  standard in rental flooring management. Now available for instant download to your computer. I think all real estate investors are skeptical by nature. After you read my Landlord Flooring Management Guide you will have little doubt as to my credentials in this industry and my ability to help you save thousands each and every year. But what I reveal in my books is only the tip of the iceberg! 

 

4. I’ve developed an incredible comprehensive flooring management strategy that will save you thousands, guaranteed! There’s no other system like it in the world.

My comprehensive floor covering consulting service is not offered by any other company in the world. What I have to offer you is totally unique. I can help you  save as much as 25% or more on your flooring replacement and repair expenses without you having to change your current flooring vendor or suppliers. Most of my techniques are very easy to implement and offer immediate and substantial savings. It sounds too good to be true doesn’t it? and the best part is… It won’t cost you anything to find out how much money you can save….

 

5. Let me explain further by giving you a common scenario.

Let’s say,  for example purposes, that you happen to own a 300-unit apartment complex that is at least 5- years old. It is likely that you hope that your carpet and vinyl flooring will last for at least five years before it needs to be replaced. But the sad truth is, you often end up replacing your flooring more often than that. But for this example, let’s just say that you only replace your flooring every five years. That means you will be replacing about 5 units per month, every month, as long as you own these apartments. (300-units divided by 60-months = 5)   I don’t work with those who own less than 300 rental units because of the cost to implement my programs. You would not be willing to spend $1000 to save $1000 would you? No. But if I could save you $30,000 this year what would that be worth to you? This is the reality I am talking about if you only have 300 units. How many units do you have? How much money should you be saving? You’ll never know unless you call me and talk to me about it. It’s only money. But it’s YOUR money we are talking about.

 

Now, the typical 2 bedroom 1-bath apartment has 80 yards of carpet and 20 yards of vinyl. At current market prices carpet and vinyl flooring replacement is typically about $1200 for the carpet and about $400 for the vinyl. That’s about $1800 per unit, and again, you do this about 5 times per month on average. That adds up to approximately $9000 per month or $108,000 per year. However, if you allow pets, or if there are any unexpected flooring repairs needed, mold or dry-rot  or water damage to fix, or if your tenants rebuild their motorcycle engines in your living rooms this amount will surely go up.

 

One hundred and eight thousand dollars is a lot of money. How would you like to only pay out $80,000 and save $28,000 per year? But not just this year, every year. In five years your savings would be $140,000. In twenty years your savings would be $560,000 or more. Let’s not forget the interest you could be earning on this money.  Does this interest you? It should because it can be a reality for you. The more more units you own the more money you can save.

 

I have just described what an owner of just 300 apartment units can expect to save by using my flooring management solution. It’s easy to implement and you don’t have to change who you do business with right now. You just have to add me into the equation and give me the ability to make some changes to the way you do business with flooring vendors and how you handle your onsite management operations. Basically I need you or your property management company to allow me to implement some strategies that will yield dramatic savings for you.

 

I know you would like to know what my strategies are and how I can possibly save you such a huge amount of money, but this is the secret to my success. It is a well-developed set of proven strategies. Once I reveal my strategies to you or your property management company you will have no more need for my services. That’s why I will require that you sign a confidentiality agreement

 

 

Maybe you are thinking…

 

But I hired a top-notch Property Management Company to handle all this on my behalf. I don’t have the time to deal with this. It’s there job to go with the lowest bid and save me money wherever possible. I trust that they will do a good job for me!

 

Yes, I understand, you give your Property Management Company a budget and they make due as best they can. They want to save you as much money as possible because it makes their portfolio look good to potential clients. But when it comes to flooring replacements,  they don’t always have enough time, experience or staff to save you the most money possible.  

 

Why are you in business if not to maximize profits? I would like to present you with a golden opportunity to put a huge amount of money back into your pocket. Anyone would be willing to entertain the thought of saving $10,000, $20,000 or $50,000 per year or more, right? 

 

Finally, let me ask you a simple question, if you could invest a mere $1000 and get a quick return of $10000 within this year would you be interested?  What if that same $1000 initial investment would save you $10000 next year too. And the year after that and 10 to 20 years after that too. That’s the power of my strategic flooring management solution. Once implemented, my flooring management system will work for you again and again, year after year without any more investment from you. 

 

Once you discover how to tap into the power of my program you will have the benefit of saving money from this day forward. But you must agree to keep my strategies a secret. Doing so will also give you a huge edge over your competition.

 

Don’t let this once in a lifetime opportunity pass you by. Call me today and let’s put together your unique flooring solution. A solution that will increase your rental profits dramatically for years to come. You have nothing to lose and thousands to gain.

 

Regards,

 

Alan J. Fletcher

email Alan@landlordfloors.com

visit my website: www.landlordfloors.com

 Dry rot? 

Cracked Gypsum? 

Pet urine damage? 

Mold & mildew problems? 

Water & moisture damage? 

Bad tenants that ruin your carpet & vinyl flooring? 

This is costing you a fortune!

 

I have your solution! 

 

Here’s what I can do for you…

 

I am the #1 leading authority on carpet & vinyl replacement and repairs in the nation. I wrote the book on Saving Money!

 

My Flooring Management books are featured at IREM.com, MrLandlord.com, Landlord.com, RentalProp.com, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s Books, and many more! Dozens of my flooring articles are featured all over the world in trade papers, magazines and newspapers.

 

If you really want to save a ton of money on your flooring replacements & repairs you need to contact me.

 

 

Alan J. Fletcher

Flooring Management Consultant

Alan@landlordfloors.com