Choosing the Right Carpet

Chances are, you’ll likely have to select carpet in your new home. It might seem like an easy task, but choosing carpet is very important. Carpeting provides a soft, plush spot for children to play and even a slip-free surface for animals in your home. There are different textures to take into account, varying colors, and designs – so where do you start?

With these top five tips on choosing carpet, we hope to help you select the best option for your family’s needs.

1. Skimping on carpet padding. This may seem like a trivial tip, but you’d be surprised how another quarter-inch of padding can transform the feeling of your carpet. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, the cushion not only helps to buffer sound, but also provides increased insulation. As a general rule, select a cushion with no more than 7/16-inch thickness, and no less than ¼ inch thickness.
2. Keep maintenance in mind. Homeowners with dogs, cats, and kids should always avoid shag carpets, as they can harbor hair, dust and dirt, and they’re also much more difficult to keep clean. If family members routinely wear shoes indoors, lighter colored carpets probably aren’t the best choice.
3. Texture. In high-traffic areas, selecting carpet (and rugs) that are darker and have patterns will help to conceal tracks. In those high-traffic areas, it’s best to stick with level loop or high-density loop carpets, while multilevel loop carpets are best in medium-traffic and low-traffic areas.
4. Don’t forget about the staircase. Your staircase will get a lot of wear as perhaps one of the highest-trekked places in your home. Choosing a thinner carpet may mean you’ll see the unsightly backing when the carpet finally does wear in and curl over the step. The best choice for staircase carpet is one that is a woven wool, as it is the most durable.
5. Dust mites and allergies. If you or someone in your family is overly-prone to allergies, both indoor and outdoor, carpet may not be for you. Depending on where the allergy-affected individuals spend the most time, vinyl, tile or even laminate flooring can provide a sanctuary. Bedrooms can be a good place to replace carpeting with another option.

Bring your concerns and design ideas to your Claridge Design Centre meeting and our experts will make sure to accommodate all of your flooring needs.

Making the Most of Your Claridge Decorating Centre Trip

It can all seem a little overwhelming: cabinet colors, cabinet height and arrangement, countertop options, flooring, hardware… The options are endless! So how can you make the most of your trip to the Claridge Decorating Centre? Faber Homes is here to help.

When working with Faber Homes to create your dream home, keep in mind that you must pick each and every odd and end in your home. Before heading to Claridge, know where your furniture will be placed and where your outlets are, so when you plan your kitchen and bathrooms, you know where you’ll need to plug everything in.

Here are few quick and easy steps to take before heading to your meeting:

Know what Claridge offers. Once you enter the Claridge Decorating Centre, you’ll notice a plethora of choices right off the bat, and the room seems to never end. It’s likely we’ve got it all, but if you’d like to come in and see our selection – please schedule a time with your sales representative.

Have a “top three” of the following:

·         Kitchen cabinets (color and style)

·         Kitchen countertops

·         Flooring (you’ll pick for your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room and all carpeted areas)

You’ll be presented with fabulous builder’s standard options, sure to fit any family’s needs, and a wide range of upgrade. Know your upgrade budget, and which items would constitute as an upgrade to your base floor plan such as:

·         Adding another bathroom sink

·         Raising the height of your countertops

·         Adding six inches to the height of your cabinets, or adding crown molding

·         Laminate or hardwood flooring

Always remember – you are building your home for your family’s needs. Certain types of flooring and cabinets might not be the best fit if you have kids or pets, so talk to your sales representative or anyone at Claridge about your wants and needs. They’ll help you find a balance.

Do a little research. Remember, Faber Homes’ floor plans are created to be open, so while you may have different themes for each room, make sure to have an idea of how the designs will transition. Websites like Houzz, HGTV, and DIY can help you get inspired and build your perfect rooms. Bring in photos and printouts of what you you’re dreaming up, and even some photos of your furniture to help tie it all together.

Most importantly – have fun! This is the most creative part of your home building process – so enjoy it!