The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing hot press car mat

If you're like most modern sign businesses, you've already expanded into garment decoration or are considering it. This is an especially lucrative opportunity because you already have most of what you need. If you have a Vinyl Cutter and Vector Software, all you need to add a new profit center is a Heat Press.

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There are lots of sizes and styles of heat presses to choose from, ranging from under $300 to over $3,000. Making the wrong choice can mean spending too much or buying too little. Both mistakes can stunt the growth of your business. How do you make the right decision? You could start by pouring yourself a hot cup of joe and reading our updated heat press buyers guide. While we can't cover every feature of every model, we can give you an overview with some general guidelines to point you in the right direction.

Although SIGNWarehouse offers well over a dozen heat presses ranging from the EnduraPRESS CS15 to the Hotronix Air Fusion, you can group them into four basic categories: specialty, starter, intermediate, and professional. Once you've decided which type fits your needs, you should be able to select one based on your intended applications. Let's dive in.

Starter Heat Presses

As the name implies, starter presses are designed to provide an affordable way to start a small scale fabric imprint business. These handy devices are generally simple, compact, and affordable. Although you won't find any of them here, some starter heat presses still use crude analog temperature controls and offer very limited job control settings. In keeping with the SIGNWarehouse tradition of exceptional value, the EnduraPRESS models all bring brand name sophistication and features to the market at a warehouse price.

All EnduraPRESS models excel at producing consistent heat across the platen and displaying accurate temperature readings on the control panel. Even with professional quality heat presses, the displayed temperature is not always the same as the platen temperature. This can cause some confusion with demanding applications like laser transfers. With the EnduraPRESS models, the displayed temperature is generally accurate to within 5°F. If you find that the display and platen aren't in sync, it's easily adjustable. The control panel provides access to a programmable menu that allows calibration of the display to the actual platen temperature. This level of precision will prevent lots of failed transfer or sublimation applications due to insufficient heat at the platen. The EnduraPRESS CS15 is a 15" x 15" clam-shell design incorporating the same advanced backlit digital control panel.

So what is a clam-shell press? The motion of a clam-shell press is like a door opening and closing. It moves in an arc on an axis at the back of the platen. It's a simpler motion than a swing-away and lots of good presses use this configuration. But there are a couple of drawbacks. It is possible to singe your knuckles if you're not careful. And if you press something thicker than a standard t-shirt, you may have more pressure at the back than the front due to the angular motion the heating element takes as it closes on the platen. So it's not suitable for things like mouse pads and ceramic tiles, and laser transfers. The 15" x 15" clam shell design makes it suitable for most small to medium-sized T-shirt transfers. The platen pressure is suitable for applying heat transfer film, aka "T-shirt vinyl", shirt sublimation, ChromaBlast cotton decoration, print & cut, and DTF T-shirt transfers.

Specialty Heat Presses: Cap, Mug, and Multi-function Presses

Specialty presses for decorating caps and drinkware are also in this category. They tend to be small, simple and affordable. A dedicated cap press is a great way to decorate ball caps with heat transfer vinyl, DTF, and sublimation transfers. These presses have small curved heat platens and curved tables engineered to apply pressure the the crown of a cap. The best also include a spring or other mechanism to stretch the cap over the table to ensure a snug fit and successful transfer.

The EnduraPRESS SA-CP36 is an excellent example. The EnduraPRESS MP5 mug press is a great way to jump into the popular and profitable world of drinkware decoration - custom mugs and tumblers. The MP5 is engineered for standard 11 and 13-ounce ceramic mugs, but can be fitted with a variety of different sized fittings to support transfers on everything from espresso mugs to Yeti tumblers. Both the MP5 mug press and SA-CP36 cap press are affordably priced at under $300, so they make great starter presses.

But what if you want to decorate caps and mugs, but don't have room for two heat presses? Well then you consider an EnduraPRESS MF15. We also offer good specialty presses from Geo Knight and Hotronix, including the Geo Knight DK7 cap press, Knight DC3 mug press, Hotronix Maxx Cap Press and the unique Hotronix Sports Ball Press. These tend to be more expensive solutions, but they're made in the USA and have excellent warranties.

The EnduraPRESS MF15 Combo heat press is a multi configurable five-in-one press with a 12" x 15" swing-away platen. It has the requisite EnduraPRESS backlit LCD control panel and digital time and temperature displays. It also excels at providing even pressure across the platen and is robust enough even for demanding laser transfer applications. The platen goes from zero to 390 in about 12 minutes and maintains consistent temperature very well. The swing-away design allows you to work on the lower platen without worrying about singed knuckles. And, since the press closes vertically instead of at an angle, it's ideal for decorating thick materials like mouse pads and ceramic tiles. But the best thing about the MF15 is its multi-function capabilities. The mug, cap, and plate attachments are easy to install and remove using the aviator style connector and simple tools. These attachments enable the MF15 to decorate shirts, caps, mugs, plates and much more. In terms of possible applications, it provides the most bang for your buck.

Intermediate Heat Presses

What do you do if you need something a little larger or more capable than a starter press, but don't have the budget for a professional model? You order up one of these models and enjoy the productivity and reliability of an almost professional quality workhorse. These are not inferior products. They're just simpler by design and therefore more affordable than the fully equipped high zoot range-toppers. Stahl's makes the Maxx in 3 popular sizes

The Stahls Maxx Clamshell line debuted in spring of replacing the Mighty Clam and Mighty Clam Lite, which were very popular starter clam-shell presses. But the Maxx is a very reliable, simple, and affordable machine offering three models suitable for most garment applications. It comes in 11' x 15', 15' x 15', and 16' x 20' sizes ranging from $800 to $1,35.00. Maxx presses feature digital time and temperature settings, a heavy-duty laser cut frame, and interchangeable lower platens to accommodate different sized garments. The Maxx comes with a lifetime warranty on the heating element and one year on the frame and casting.

The old adage about getting what you pay for applies here. What makes these machines so affordable is their simplicity. If you're running a high volume shop and will need to be able to quickly change from one type of film to another, all of those changes have to be remembered and performed manually. This makes changing films less efficient and more prone to errors which can ruin shirts. You won't find the features that support special applications like direct to garment printing, or sublimating mugs and caps in any of these models. And, since they're built to be affordable, they're not as rugged as their more costly alternatives.

If you're planning to crank out shirts for four or more hours per day, you will find that these units are not quite satisfactory. If that's your environment, a more professional-grade press would be a better choice. The new DK14s heat press from Geo Knight is their replacement for the discontinued JetPress line of starter heat presses. It has a more advanced digital control panel than the JP14's analog dial, so it belongs here in the intermediate category. The DK14s is essentially a smaller, more affordable version of the professional-grade DK series heat presses. It offers similar levels of quality and reliability, a lifetime warranty on the heating element, and is made in the USA. The swing-arm design also supports decorating thicker items like mouse pads and sweatshirts. Plus the vertical closing mechanism produces even pressure across the platen, which makes it suitable for laser transfers. The main drawback is the smallish 12" x 14" heating element. But, at $675, it's still a good value.

EnduraPRESS CS16 & CS16-AR

The EnduraPRESS CS16 and CS16-AR are in the same category and offer many of the same benefits as the Maxx presses. These are both 16" x 20" clam-shell heat presses with backlit LCD control panels and advanced features like temperature calibration and a programmable auto shut-off setting. The platen on these models is configured in a landscape orientation, which reduces the reach from the front of the press to the handle. The CS16 is an essential clam-shell suitable for HTV, apparel sublimation, print & cut and DTF transfers. The EnduraPRESS CS16-AR adds a convenient, magnetic auto-release feature that releases and raises the press at the end of each cycle. Auto-release heat presses free operators from the chore of loitering by the press through the cycle to manually raise the platen and remove the garment.

EnduraPRESS SD20

EnduraPRESS SD20: The EnduraPRESS SD20 is the star and sales leader of the EnduraPRESS product line. It offers features found in professional quality heat presses costing hundreds more. The SD20 has a full sized 16" x 20" platen, so it's up to the task of pressing your largest transfers. It'll handle anything from laser transfer to heat transfer vinyl for Spirit jerseys. The large table is solidly constructed to provide even pressure across the lower platen. The heating element is consistent across the entire platen and the LCD control panel's displayed temperature is accurate to within 5°F. The spring-actuated lever allows you to open the press smoothly, even on high pressure settings. And the base includes extendable brackets to provide more stability when swinging platen open. All of these features make it an excellent choice for demanding heat transfer applications, including two-step white toner laser transfers. As good as the EnduraPRESS SD20 is, it's still a fairly simple design without some features that enable high volume garment decoration. If you're planning to equip a busy shirt shop and need something designed for maximum versatility or efficiency, you might need to consider a step up to a high-volume, professional-quality press.

Professional Heat Presses

If you've built a growing decoration business and are ready for a press that supports higher volume with more efficiency, a professional quality heat press is what you need. Likewise if you're an ambitious entrepreneur and your business plan demands more volume and faster returns. If your budget allows, this is where you start. These products are engineered to be more efficient, more productive, and more durable.

SilverBolt Heat Presses

SilverBolt heat presses are designed for efficient, high-volume production of heat transfers. Whether you're working in sublimation, laser transfer, DTF transfers, or good old HTV, we have a SilverBolt press that will help you take your business to the next level. They're also sturdier, built from the ground up for years of daily use.

SilverBolt MUGPRO 5: The SilverBolt MugPro 5 heat press is a unique five-station mug press with five separate chambers for decorating mugs. Each station can be controlled with its own time and temperature settings. This allows you to load it up and sublimate your mugs in something akin to an assembly line environment. One mug can be removed and finished while the next one is still in the chamber. It's a great way to boost productivity and profit. And, for only $499, it's a no-brainer.

SilverBolt Clamshell heat presses: The SilverBolt line also includes two 16" x 20" clam-shell presses. The SilverBolt CSD is a clam-shell drawer press with a magnetic auto-release mechanism. The auto-release frees up operators for multi-tasking and the pull-out drawer design on the lower table makes loading and unloading garments easier. The SilverBolt CSM is a unique heat press designed to combine the two most profitable heat transfer operations in one space-saving unit. The CSM is a clam-shell shirt press with a free-standing mug attachment. Just connect the aviator cable and flip a switch to go from shirts to mugs.

SilverBolt Swing-arm Heat presses: The standouts of the SilverBolt product line are the two swing-arm models. These are engineered for maximum efficiency and productivity. The SilverBolt SA is a premium 16 x 20 heat press with an advanced 6" control panel that incorporates job control features not found on anything else in its price range. The menu includes a digital pressure readout and a configurable customizable menu for storing, editing and naming presets for your go-to heat transfer applications. It's a great time-saver for busy decorators with diverse applications in their repertoires. A rolling aluminum caddie is included. The SilverBolt PA is our most appealing model. It features an advanced electrically actuated automatic close and open mechanism that takes all the gruntwork out of heat transfer. Push button close and open reduces the workload on operators. The 4.5" backlit control panel includes a digital pressure readout and the 2" opening supports decorating thicker items than beginner and intermediate presses.

Digital Knight DK Series heat presses

The DK series is Geo Knight's professional quality presses. They include both clam-shell and swing-arm designs. The product line ranges from the DK16, which is a 14' x 16' clam-shell, to the DK20SP, a pneumatically powered auto-opening 16' x 20' swing-away. All Digital Knight models have an intelligent control module that supports up to 70 programmable presets. This allows users to quickly change the heat, temperature, and pressure settings from one type of film to another with repeatable accuracy. You can also vary the end of cycle alarms and monitor pressure by a digital readout on the control panel.

In addition, the DK series offers an Auto release option that automatically raises the press at the end of the cycle. The Digital Knight auto release mechanism also has a hover function that makes it ideal for use with white ink direct-to-garment applications. The hover mode allows you to flash cure the ink before applying pressure. This reduces the likelihood that the color layer and the white under-base will smear as the press is closed. The ultimate in versatility in the Digital Knight line is the DC Combo. This is a unique swing-away model with interchangeable platens and heating elements. Its default setup is for shirts and tiles. Optional attachments for mugs, caps, plates, and cubes can be purchased for about $300 each. This versatile engineering means you can buy one press that performs as a shirt, tile, mug, and cap press for less than $1,700. The convertible table may produce slightly inconsistent platen pressure, so this is one of the only swing-arm presses we can't fully recommend for demanding white toner laser transfers. For these jobs, the DK20S, a digital Knight 16" x 20" swing away press would be a better option. At $1,850.00, the DK20S is an excellent value. The ultimate Digital Knight solution for laser transfer would be the DK20SP, which adds an auto-release function and an analog pressure gauge. The pressure gauge allows you to produce the precise amount of platen pressure time after time. This takes the last element of guessing out of laser transfers and will eliminate waste due to inconsistent adhesive coating. The pressure gauge function requires the use of compressed air. The DK20SP uses a self-leveling airbag that produces up to 3,000 lbs of force and can be operated with a five gallon 1/2CFM compressor. The DK20SP can be yours for only $2,950.00 plus shipping. All Digital Knight presses come with a lifetime warranty on the heating element, three year warranty on the controls, and one year on the frame and mechanics.

 

The popular Hotronix Fusion IQ heat press is the professional grade Hotronix heat press. Like the Geo Knight DK series, the Hotronix line has programmable presets that allow for quickly changing settings for different applications. On the Fusion, these changes can be made on an advanced, user-friendly touch screen with a digital keypad that even allows users to program when the press powers on and off. The Fusion also overcomes the limitations of the clam-shell function for a dual configuration. The Fusion can be used as a swing-away or a drawer press; hence the name 'fusion'. The drawer option allows users to leave the heating element in place and load and unload the platen by pulling it forward (like opening a drawer). This supports threadability; the ability to load garments from the front so that you're not working on the garment upside down. It also allows you to flip the shirt to decorate front and back without removing it from the press. The Fusion also offers significantly better warranty protection than the Maxx. Hotronix offers a lifetime warranty on the heating element, a five year warranty on the frame and casting, and two years on the circuit board. The Fusion seems to have all the bells and whistles anyone could want. What could possibly make it better? How about an auto-open feature for hands free production? For that, Hotronix offers the Air Fusion. Like the Geo Knight DK20SP, the Air Fusion uses compressed air to power it's automatic open function. It also comes on a sturdy space-saving floor stand and has all the class-leading electronics of the Fusion in its touch screen LCD. Changing from thin to thick material on a normal swing-away press requires significantly reducing the pressure to accommodate for the increase in material thickness. Not on the Air Fusion. It compensates automatically, and even includes an auto-swing mechanism. It does everything but make your coffee. That old 'get what you pay for' adage applies here too. The Air Fusion tops the range and costs $4,750.

Which heat press is the right one for you? So how do you pick the right press? Take your time and consider your goals, not just the price. If you're only going to do a few shirts a day, a starter unit like an EnduraPRESS CS15 is a good option. Obviously if you're getting requests for customized caps, and shirts and planning to sublimate mugs, tiles and plates, a dedicated mug or cap press, or a combo press like the EnduraPRESS MF15 is the logical choice.

If you're startup is based on laser transfer and two-step self-weeding paper, you may need an intermediate level press like the EnduraPRESS SD20. For high volume production and/or demanding applications, you'll really need a professional press like the SilverBolt PA, Geo Knight DK20-AR or Hotronix Fusion. Any of these more robust machines will cost a little more at point of purchase but it's better to pay more up front for the right equipment than pay more daily in lost production, ruined shirts, or lost sales.

What do sheep and carpet have in common? Quite a lot! I'll give you the lowdown on all things carpet, and soon you'll be ready to educate your friends on carpet tiles, rolls, area rugs, and sheep like you're a pro.

Carpet still ranks as one of the best sellers in flooring. Though other floors are creeping up on its turf, carpet has been holding its own for ages.

You probably already know this because you're here to buy carpet. It's plush, lush, and oh so comfortable.

Though you know you want carpet, the choices can be a little overwhelming. Tiles, broadloom, and area rugs can be tough to navigate. There's a whole different language when talking about carpet! Perhaps you're looking for guidance along the lines of... "how to buy carpet?"

No worries; I'm here to help. Consider this your definitive "how to buy carpet" guide.

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Carpet Buying Advice

Alright, let's get down to business. There are many carpet choices.

You can buy broadloom carpet, carpet tiles, and area rugs. You can also find carpet for your gym, home theater, and outdoor space. There's basically a carpet option for every place in your home.

Broadloom Carpet

Broadloom carpet, or carpet rolls, are wall-to-wall carpets. The name 'broadloom' means it's created in large portions that are typically cut to the size of the room for installations.

Broadloom carpet is cheaper by the foot than any other type of carpet, but you will have excess leftover after cutting the carpet to the correct size. It also can be difficult to install and usually requires experience and renting or buying special machinery.

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Broadloom Carpet Installation:

There are two ways to install broadloom carpet: stretch-in and adhesive. Stretch-in tends to be the most common installation method, but they both require special equipment.

Stretch-In

• Seam carpet together using melt tape or another adhesive.
• Stretch carpet into place using a power stretcher or knee kicker. 
• Attach carpet to wall tracks to secure it. 
• Stretched carpet is less likely to sag or have air bubbles when installation is complete.

Adhesive

• With this installation, the carpet is glued to the floor.
• You must also have a knee kicker or a stretcher in order to ensure a smooth carpet, free from air bubbles.
• Lay carpet from the center and work outwards from both directions to prevent air bubbles.
• Roll carpet with a 75 lb. roller in both directions if directed by the manufacturer. 

Broadloom Carpet Pros:

• Seamless appearance: Broadloom carpets offer a continuous and seamless look in any room, making the room look larger.
• Options: Broadloom comes in different pile types and even patterns. The options are practically limitless.
• Soft: Broadloom carpet is also thicker and plusher than other carpet types. It is the softest carpet in the market.

Broadloom Carpet Cons:

• Difficult installation: Broadloom really requires a professional for installation. This adds cost to your budget.
• Cleaning: Though carpet is often stain-resistant, it is not resistant to average soiling. That means you'll probably have to break out the vacuum once a week to keep it clean.
• Replacement: With broadloom, if a portion does get badly damaged, due to kids, or traffic it's not easy to replace a spot. You might have to replace the whole carpet.

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Carpet Tiles

Carpet tiles are fairly new to homes. You've probably seen them in the office, or while out shopping, but their popularity in the home is rising. For good reason, too!

There's a lot of appeal to carpet tiles: first, they're a DIY dream. They're so easy to install, a child could probably do it.

There's also more than one way to install carpet tiles, which gives you more choice in the matter, and more choices are great! Not only that, carpet tiles come in just as many colors as broadloom carpet, though berber style carpet tiles are the most popular.

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Carpet Tile Installation:

Install carpet tiles 1 of 3 ways: interlocking, self-adhesive, or glue-free. The easiest installation is the self-adhesive, or peel and stick, method.

Use glue-free methods to make area rugs and interlocking tiles in basements or for temporary gym flooring.

Interlocking:

• Interlocking carpet tiles look one of two ways: like a giant puzzle piece, or with plastic attachments on the sides to click into one another.
• Join together carpet tiles by first carefully laying them out and then locking them together like a puzzle.
• If the tile doesn't have a finished edge, simply cut the tile to create one.

Self-Adhesive:

• Peel and stick tiles are the easiest to install.
• Pull off the plastic sheet to expose already applied adhesive.
• Place tiles on the floor and press down to adhere it.
• Some adhesives leave a residue on the subfloor, but some do not. An easy test is to place your hand on the adhesive. If your hand is sticky after, it will leave a residue that can easily be cleaned up if needed.

Glue-Free:

• To install glue free tiles, purchase double sided carpet tape or a pressure adhesive for a more permanent hold.
• Adhere individual tiles using the tape method for a custom-made area rug.
• For a room with high-traffic, installation requires a pressure sensitive adhesive, or glue, to keep the tiles in place.

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Carpet Tile Pros:

• Easy install: Carpet tiles are very easy and are installed in a matter of hours. There are also less extra costs for installation.
• Customize it: With tiles, you can create custom patterns and textures using different colors or simply rotating the tile. Your floor can really be custom!
• Easy replacement: Tile is also super easy to replace. If a tile is badly damaged, due to kids, traffic, simply lift it out and replace it with a new tile. Good as new.

Carpet Tile Cons:

• Not as plush: Carpet tiles are not as plush as broadloom carpet because they aren't as thick.
• Fewer options: Carpet tiles also are mostly found in loop piles. Because they began as a commercial trend, you'll probably find less options that feature plush cut piles.
• More up-front cost: Carpet tiles are more expensive than broadloom carpet. However, you may end up saving money by being able to install them yourself.

Area Rugs

Area rugs have always been popular. Recently there's been a surge in popularity of using area rugs in all areas of your home.

Sometimes hard flooring surfaces can be cold and uncomfortable for achy joints. There's a reason you count jumping sheep and not jumping rocks to relax at night.

Luckily a simple rug in your living room, bedroom, and even your kitchen can add warmth and comfort to your home without the need to install wall-to-wall carpeting.

Looking to add some style? Area rugs are perfect for that. They come in different shapes, sizes, colors, and styles to add the perfect finishing touch to any room.

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Area Rug Installation:

Time to keep it simple: just roll it out! Area rugs don't require much labor when it comes to installation. Often times it's just a matter of purchasing the rug and deciding how to place it. I do have some extra installation tips, though.

• Carpet tiles: You can easily make an area rug using glue-free carpet tiles. Just attach carpet tiles together using carpet tape and secure it to the floor to prevent it from sliding around.
• Rug mats: Some area rugs come with a non-slip mat already attached to the back, but if yours doesn't, it's an easy purchase. You can even use non-slip shelf liners!
• Size: The number one mistake a customer makes when purchasing an area rug is they buy the wrong size. Make sure your area rug is the perfect size by making some measurements first. Keep in mind a too-small area rug makes your room look smaller.

Area Rug Pros:

• Very trendy: Currently, area rugs are very on-trend. The truth is, they've always been popular, but they're more popular than ever right now. That might be from the growth of using hard flooring throughout the house.
• Warm house: Area rugs are perfect for warming up a house with cold surfaces. In the winter, it's nice to place your feet on a comfy area rug next to your bed and not an ice block.
• Easy care: They're also easy to install and easy to clean. Some rugs are machine washable, and you can always take them to be professionally cleaned in an emergency. When you rearrange a room, just place the rug in the new spot. Easy peasy.

Area Rug Cons:

• Expense: Area rugs can be expensive to buy. However, it's important to think of them like an important investment to your living space rather than simple decor.
• Sizing: Most people buy the wrong size area rug for their space. Don't make this mistake! A wrong sized area rug can make a room look smaller and awkward. A good rule is that the front part of your furniture should at least touch the edge of your rug.

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Other Types of Carpet

Lucky for you, there is carpet for multiple uses throughout your home. Some, you might haven't considered! You can now buy carpet for home gym flooring, outdoor carpet, and home theater carpet for all your specialty needs.

Outdoor Carpet

We usually don't think about putting carpet outside, but with today's technology, you definitely can! From tiles and rolls to outdoor rugs, you can make balconies, sunrooms, and even decks have your personal style.

These carpets are usually solution dyed or UV treated, so they won't fade in the sunlight. Plus, like most carpet (and sheep), they're mold, mildew, and stain resistant.

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Gym Carpet

Interlocking carpet tiles make great temporary gym flooring! Maybe you want something you can put together and take apart to do stretching, yoga, and light exercises. You can also install carpet tiles in a whole room for a durable gym floor for machines and light floor routines. You wouldn't want to drop a barbell on it, but it would be great for the average exerciser.

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Home Theater Carpet

All of our home theater carpet is commercially graded, which means it'll hold up to just about anything and clean up easy too! You definitely want carpet in your home theater to absorb all the delicious sounds and have a great movie watching experience.

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Pros of Carpet

There are a lot of benefits to carpet that many don't think about. When we think about carpet, we often think about how soft, warm, and comfortable it is without thinking of much else. Well, I'm here to change that. Let's look at some of the more important features of carpet.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of hot press car mat. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

• Shock absorption: Have you ever had to stand on tile for a long amount of time? Your feet will start to hurt. This is because walking on a hard surface is difficult for your bones and joints. Carpet absorbs the shock of your steps, which means your feet will thank you.
• Heat loss: Hard surfaces tend to be cooler than carpet. This is great if you live in a hot climate all year around, but if it ever gets chilly or downright freezing in your home, you'll definitely miss carpet. That's because carpet holds in heat, making your house warmer during the winter months. This also means you'll spend less heating your house, which saves you money.
• Sound reduction: Not everyone minds the clackity-clack of heels on hard surfaces or the cacophony of sounds your children make from the second floor, but some do. If you are someone who wants a quieter house, carpet will definitely help. Instead of echoing sounds back at you, it absorbs the sound. This is also why carpet is present in theaters.
• Safety: Carpet is, quite frankly, safer than other flooring types. A baby learning to walk on tile might result in a little more parental anxiety than a baby learning to walk on soft carpet. This is why many parents opt to put carpet tiles in the nursery until the child is older. Not only that, but since wall to wall carpet doesn't result in trip hazards, and is overall more soft on the joints, carpet tends to be a safer choice for elderly individuals or those who have motor difficulties.

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A Little Carpet History

Now, let's get into some fun facts about carpet because a little history doesn't hurt. Plus, I'm a nerdy history buff and this is my territory.

First, the idea of wall to wall carpet didn't really take off until the mid s. Manufacturers struggled to find a fiber that was perfect for tufted carpets. Most carpet was made from either wool or cotton.

Wool ended up being fairly expensive. Shearing sheep isn't anyone's favorite pass time. Cotton was cheap but had little to no durability.

However, everything changed when the company DuPont invented BCF (bulked continuous filament) nylon fiber. This is known as the single most important discovery in American carpet history,  and as you may have noticed, most carpet is now made of nylon.

Today, most carpet mills are located within a 65-mile radius of Dalton, Georgia and produce 85% of carpet in the American market. Dalton, Georgia is known as the birthplace of modern tufted carpet. Personally, I think that's pretty cool.

Carpet continues to be an extremely popular choice in houses and the industry continues using modern technology to create more durable, better carpet options.

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Types of Carpet Fibers

Okay, now that you know the history, let's get into the technical aspects of carpet. Put on your lab coat and get ready: we're getting scientific.

When you're looking to buy carpet, you'll choose between nylon, polyester, olefin, and wool. Each fiber works best for different environments, and some even have alternative chemical names!

This can get confusing, so let me help you out:

Wool Carpet Fibers

Wool is the original version of your favorite movie. It's the first material carpet was ever made out of.

All these synthetic materials were created in the hopes of replicating the luxurious softness of real wool. Wool is the softest carpet you can buy, but it is also the most expensive.

Though it is highly durable when it comes to traffic, the fibers can retain a lot of moisture. Just picture a wet sheep and you'll get the idea. That means any spills will be forever trapped within the fiber, nearly impossible to get out.

As moisture is a big mildew and mold component, wool is not great for places that are moisture prone. Nobody wants a wet sheep.*

*Full disclosure, I am not a sheep expert.

Nylon Carpet Fibers

As I said before, nylon is what changed the carpet industry for good. If wool is your favorite original movie, nylon is your favorite remake that has all the special effects. Even today, nylon remains the most popular fiber of choice.

Nylon is highly durable, static-free, and a great fiber for indoor carpets. Nylon is usually treated with a stain blocking technology that helps it stay beautiful, longer.

In case you didn't know, sheep have natural oils that guard their wool against getting totally waterlogged, or else they'd get super heavy. Heavy sheep are unhappy.

Consider Stainmaster the natural sheep oil of the carpet world. It makes the staining liquid stay on the surface of the carpet so you can easily clean it up.

Olefin Carpet Fibers

Let's move away from the sheep and talk about Olefin.

Olefin is a natural stain-resistant fiber. It's dyed during the melting process while the fiber is being created. This results in a color through the fiber rather than outside the fiber. Olefin is virtually fade resistant, and it's also low static.

Put on your safety goggles because it also has a scientific chemical name: polypropylene. You might see that listed as the fiber instead of Olefin, so it's important to know! A downside of olefin, it attracts and absorbs oil, which can leave it dinghy.

Polyester Carpet Fibers

If you're looking for a 'green' carpet, Polyester is mostly made from recycled materials. Polyester is rising in popularity and giving nylon a run for its money. If you haven't noticed, most of your clothes are probably polyester blends. It's basically everywhere!

Polyester is slightly less expensive than nylon, and almost just as durable. It's extremely fade and stain resistant. Polyester also usually has the widest range of color choices so your carpet can be anything from bright pink to a neutral brown.

The green choice polyester is often called PET fiber, otherwise known as *adjusts goggles* 'Polyethylene Terephthalat.' It's more durable than older polyester materials and is often solution-dyed, meaning the color runs through the fiber. SmartStrand is an example of a polyester fiber.

Triexta Carpet Fibers

Triexta is a brand new fiber on the market. Triexta's chemical name is polytrimethylene terephthalate, a name I challenge you to say 3 times fast. Back in the day, Triexta had the abbreviation PTT, but now it is its own class of fiber.

These fibers are constructed using corn, or more accurately, glucose. Because of this, Triexta is super green.

Triexta is usually less expensive than nylon, and while nylon is treated to be stain resistant, Triexta is naturally so. In fact, Triexta is more stain resistant than nylon because the fibers will not absorb liquid.  It is the miracle waterproof sheep of fibers.

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Carpet Density, Face Weight, Twists and Sheep

Carpet density and face weight are two terms everyone mixes up. Now is a good time to clear it up once and for all. Using sheep.

Carpet density is how closely together the fibers are tufted into the carpet backing. Think of it as sheep that has no bald spots. You will never be able to shear this sheep.

Carpet face weight is the weight of the fiber in one square yard measured in ounces. Carpet that has high numbers in both density and face weight is a highly durable carpet.

Twists

Another term you might see is turns or twists per inch (TPI). This refers to the amount of time the fiber is twisted in one inch. For example, a carpet that has 5 twists would have a twist number of 5.

The higher the twist number, the more durable the carpet. Fibers with high twist numbers are less likely to wear under traffic or be crushed down.

A carpet style such as a Frieze usually has a high twist number and is therefore very durable. In sheep terms: The curliest sheep is the toughest sheep to shear.

Carpet Color and Dyeing

There are two types of dyeing methods: traditional and solution dyed.

Traditional Dyeing

Most nylon carpet is traditionally-dyed. Raw fiber is dipped into a color. The fiber soaks it up and it is dyed on the surface.

Natural fiber carpets are also traditionally dyed. Traditional dyeing methods offer the widest color ranges.

Unfortunately, a sheep cannot be injected with dye in order for a naturally occurring purple wool to form.

Solution Dyeing

Solution-dyed carpets tend to be polyester fiber.

When a fiber is solution dyed, it becomes naturally stain resistant. This is because the fiber has fully absorbed all the dye and cannot absorb anymore' like pigments from spilled drinks, for example.

When the fiber is being created a dye is injected into the fiber making process. This means that the color penetrates the entire fiber inside and out.

Traditional-dyed carpets often have a stain guard applied to them, so they will also have stain-resisting properties, but they're not naturally stain-resistant.

Carpet Types

There are three carpet types: cut, loop, and cut and loop. Each carpet type has its strengths and weaknesses.

To determine which carpet type is best for you, we'll look at which room you're putting it in and what type of traffic that room gets.

Cut Carpet

Cut pile is mostly used in residential style carpets. It's the most popular style of carpeting because it is the softest pile type around.

The tops of the fibers are cut to create plush tufts. Cut pile carpets often show footprints or vacuum trails. Frieze and saxony style carpets are both cut piles.

Have you ever pet a sheared sheep? It is like the softest thing you'll ever touch.  

Loop Carpet

Loop pile carpet is also known as berber carpet (though berber refers more to the color than the pile). Fibers are looped through the carpet backing making it less soft but more durable.

This carpet style is common in commercial spaces because of its superior durability and efficiency at hiding dirt. Loop pile carpet also won't show footprints or vacuum trails.

Cut and Loop Carpet

Cut and loop is a combination of both piles of carpet. Usually cut and loop carpet features patterns and textures created by cutting and looping the fibers in various directions.

Cut and loop carpet is most popular in commercial spaces but is also trending in homes. Cut and loop is often used to create rugs that add texture and style to a room.

Conclusion

Alright, so now you know a lot of information about carpet. It's a lot to remember, I know, but luckily you can just refer back to this post if you have any questions.

There are a lot of things to consider when choosing carpet, and there are so many choices; however, with today's technology, you're sure to find a carpet in your budget that's exactly what you were looking for. Plus, now you have great carpet buying tips under your belt. 

Are you interested in learning more about xpe car mat roll? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!