The Best Carpets For Rental Properties

Get a Feel for Fiber: When choosing the best carpets for rental properties, first consider the carpet?s fiber. Nylon is often considered to be optimal for rental properties, due to its durability. Continuous Filament Nylon, sometimes labeled as BCF or Bulked Continuous Filament nylon, eliminates the short, shedding fibers that can be an issue with some carpet fibers. If cost is a key factor, consider Solution Dyed Polyester carpet. These carpets are incredibly colorfast, and can even be cleaned with bleach in case of spills or stains. Original Polyester carpet is also a great choice for those looking for a completely green option, as many of these carpets are crafted from recycled plastic materials.

Padding Is Paramount: Carpet padding provides a necessary under layer, protecting and giving a foundation to your floor covering. Neglecting to install quality carpet padding can lead to carpet that deteriorates rapidly and requires frequent replacement. Never use plain foam padding ? quality carpet padding is crafted from Rebond, a type of composite foam industrially recycled from automobile and furniture padding. Rebond is available in a variety of densities and thicknesses, and each carpet manufacturer typically includes a recommendation. However, it is also a smart idea to consider your tenants when purchasing padding. For example, tenants with pets will be more likely to require replacement padding, but if you do not allow renters with pets in your unit, you?re probably better off springing for the more expensive, longer-lasting carpet padding.

A Bonus Tip for Landlords: Take photographs of your flooring post-installation, but prior to your tenants? move-in date, for a visual record of how your floors should look. This will save you headaches when it comes to tenant claims down the line.

Flokati Rugs: Funky Fluke or Fabulous Find?

If you ever caught an episode of the 1980s game show Press Your Luck, you may remember one of the common prizes: flokati rugs. These Greek rugs began to earn a following in the ?60s and ?70s but, unlike some other styles of the era, they remain popular in magazines and households today. In fact, many contemporary designers would still consider these rugs a prize.

Known for a shaggy texture that resembles sheepskin, flokati rugs are actually made from handwoven wool. Traditionally, Greek rug-makers carry the flokatis to mountain waterfalls where they?re soaked for hours in cool water, a process which fluffs up the shag fibers. This method of rug-making is unique to flokati rugs, making them both functional and the result of distinct craftsmanship.

• Due to the soaking process that fluffs the fibers, flokati rugs are extra soft, making them a popular choice in bedrooms and spaces where plush flooring is appreciated. However, these rugs aren?t just luxurious?they?re tough, too. They keep their texture, shape, and sheen throughout the years and, because they?re made from wool, they?re also naturally static and flame resistant.
• Be aware that some manufacturers cut their costs by using artificial materials such as polyurethane. This not only makes the flokati rugs non-organic but it could also mean they?re a fire hazard too. True flokati rugs are 100% wool, from the distinctive shag to the backing.
• Flokati rugs are traditionally off-white but can be dyed, so you don?t need to worry about limiting your dcor palate. Similarly, you can find flokati rugs in the standard circular and rectangular sizes or free-form sizes.
  
• One of the things that designers love about flokati rugs is that they merge with many different styles. They can add a funky element to traditional homes or break up the precise lines of modern spaces.
• Cleaning flokati rugs is relatively straight-forward. They should be shaken outdoors regularly to avoid dust buildup. Mild wool soaps can be used but high water temperatures, chlorine bleach, and dry cleaning should be avoided. Small flokati rugs can be put in the washing machine on the Gentle cycle and be air-dried afterward, but keep in mind that direct sunlight can alter the color of the rug.
• If your flokati rug ever needs a quick pick-me-up, you can use a plastic or wooden garden rake to gently comb the wool.
• Flokati rugs are measured by the weight of wool per square meter. Thus, the heavier the flokati rug, the thicker and fluffier the shag.
• Flokatis have staying power. For centuries, they?ve been cherished as family heirlooms, included in inheritances and dowries, and used as bed covers and wall-hangings in addition to rugs.

Carpet Versus Hardwood: The Great Debate

One of the most hotly contested issues in the flooring industry comes down to one not-so-simple issue?wall-to-wall carpet, or hardwood floors? We?ve seen this decision cause a rift in happy marriages, bring roommates to tears, and act as a deal breaker for homeowners. The problem is that it?s not a cut and dry issue. Both options have benefits, and it can be difficult to decide which is best. To help settle countless arguments once and for all, we?ve brought carpet and hardwood together to go head-to-head in the following five categories. May the best flooring win!

1. Comfort: Hardwood floors are beautiful, but they can?t compare to the soft, plush surface that carpet provides. It?s especially lovely in places where comfort is key or where small children will be playing on the floor, such as bedrooms and family rooms. Carpet can also help a insulate a space, so if you live in drafty house or are worried that Wilmington, NC might get hit with another ice-storm, hardwood floors might not be the best choice. The winner: carpet.

2. Cleanliness: Hardwood is nearly impossible to stain and can be cleaned with a simple mix of soap and white vinegar. Meanwhile, dust and bacteria can catch in carpet?s fibers and are much harder to remove. You probably don?t want to picture this, but every time you walk across your carpet, you release millions of tiny particles?many of which can trigger allergies. Hardwood floors are an easy way to avoid this problem. The winner: hardwood floors.

3. Safety: Hardwood floors are slick and area rugs can be a tripping hazard, especially in homes with small children or elderly adults. If safety is a concern, then the soft, plush surface that wall-to-wall carpet provides is a better choice. A fall will be automatically cushioned, and injuries sustained from accidents will be minimized. The winner: carpet.

4. Longevity: No matter how careful you are with your carpet, normal wear and tear means you?ll probably have to replace it every few years. While a change can be nice, the costs eventually add up. Hardwood floors, on the other hand, can last decades. And, if something does happen, you can hire a professional to refinish and restore them to their natural splendor. The winner: hardwood floors.

5. Cost: This is a tough one. Carpet is less expensive to install than hardwood floors, so the upfront costs are lower. But hardwood floors have a lengthier life, so you save money in the long run. The winner: it?s a tie.

Brighten Your Home With White Washed Wood Floors

Whether you want to build a home with a coastal feel, update your Carolina Beach or Wrightsville Beach bungalow, explore the simple beauty of Scandinavian-inspired dcor, or simply freshen up your home, white washed wood floors might be the answer.

Are you wondering what on earth we?re talking about? If so, you?re not alone! We?ve had a lot of questions about this unique and fun look, so we decided to answer the most common ones in a blog post. Let?s start at the beginning?

What exactly are white washed wood floors? Sometimes known as ?pickled wood flooring? or ?pickled hardwood floors,? white washed wood floors by any name are gaining popularity across America, including right here in Wilmington, NC. It?s a technique that allows you to brighten wood floors that may have grown dark and dingy with age, without losing the natural grain pattern. Another bonus: they can also make a small space seem larger, especially when paired with white walls.

How is it done? To get this breezy coastal look, white stain is applied to the floors and then wiped away. The different names of the process simply refer to which way the stain was applied. If you go against the grain, it?s called pickled wood flooring. If you go with the grain, your floors have been white washed. Pickling will saturate the wood more, and looks best when applied to oak floors. White washing, on the other hand, is a great way to highlight the natural grain of pine floors. No matter which direction you go, you end up with a modern, transitional look that?s classy and clean.

Should I DIY? You can DIY almost anything, but that doesn?t mean you?ll get the best results?especially when it comes to a job as large as your floors. We may be biased, but we think this is a look best accomplished by a professional. The easiest way to guarantee that you get the look you want is to buy engineered hardwood flooring that is pre-pickled or white washed, rather than painting the floor you have. Not only is painting your floors labor-intensive and time-consuming, but there?s no way to tell how the paint will take until you start?and then it?s too late to change your mind. Buying it when it?s already been white washed or pickled means you can get the exact look you want, without any unpleasant surprises.