The Carpet Guys

Burlington and Oakville Lowest Prices on Stain Master Carpet

Best Carpet Deals in Ontario
  • Home
  • (905) 802-4791
  • Shop at Home
  • Love my Carpet
  • UnderPad
  • Installation
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Carpet / Carpet vs Hardwood

Carpet vs Hardwood

Carpet versus Hardwood

The following is an adaptation of a study produced by the Canadian Carpet Institute in Ontario; addressing the common myths surrounding carpet maintenance, carpet indoor air quality, and carpet allergies.

It is our hope that you find the information informative and helpful when making your decision to buy carpet.

Download Canadian Carpet Institute PDF by clicking here: Cleaner Air

Myth No. 1 “There are health risks associated with carpet.”
An extensive toxicological assessment of components of carpet concluded that the chemicals in carpet pose no health risks of public concern.

In 1994, Environ Corporation of Arlington, Virginia, prepared a study, Safety Assessment of Components of and Emissions from Carpets. The conclusion was: “For the chemicals identified as being present in, but not emitted from carpet, there is no reason to believe that they present any health risk of public concern. For chemicals identified as being from carpet, no cancer risk of public health concern is predicted for any chemical individually, or when the predicted upper limit on risk is added for all potential carcinogens. Similarly, no non-carcinogenic effects of public health concern would be anticipated.”

Myth No. 2 “Mold and mildew can grow in carpet.”
Mold and mildew exist ONLY where there is excess moisture and dirt coupled with poor cleaning and maintenance habits. Mold growth can occur on any surface – from windowpanes to carpet – that is not properly maintained and when moisture is extreme. Eliminating sources of excessive moisture, such as water leaks, and controlling humidity greatly offset the potential for mold to grow.

In a study conducted by HOST/Racine Industries, six Florida schools were checked for indoor air problems triggered by high humidity and reduced ventilation. Dust-lined, moldy ducts and plumbing leaks onto ceiling tiles allowed mold to grow and released millions of spores into the air. The research supported that mold and mildew are not associated with a particular surface, such as carpet

Myth No. 3 “Carpet is a cause of the asthma and allergy increase.”
Comparison data from Sweden supports that there is no link between carpet usage and the incidence of asthma or allergies. We are not aware of any published scientific research demonstrating a link between carpet and asthma or allergies.

A study, based on historical figures for ten years, was reported by scientists at the Swedish Institute of Fibre and Polymer Research. They found that while the use of carpet in Sweden had steadily decreased since 1975, the occurrences of allergic reactions in the general population had increased.

Myth No. 4 “Carpet is a sink for allergy-causing substances.”
This is true as stated. The critical point, however, is often missed. Carpet holds allergen-causing substances tightly and, as a result, keeps allergens from becoming airborne, minimizing the level of allergens in the breathing zone. This translates to lower exposure potential. The allergens held by carpet’s filter-like effect may be removed by vacuuming, refreshing the filter- like properties of the carpet to allow more material to be removed from the air. Vacuuming mattresses, carpet, and upholstery once or twice a week removed allergens, including dust mite feces – a known source of allergen. It is important to use the proper type of vacuum to minimize re-suspending allergens.

In Carpet and Airborne Allergens, A Literature Review, Dr. Alan Luedtke refers to the results of a study aimed at determining the effect of routine vacuuming cleaning that indicate frequent vacuum cleaning over a short time significantly reduces house dust and mite allergen levels in carpets. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies indicate the effectiveness of carpet in reducing airborne particles. This data indicates that soil in carpet is significantly reduced following cleaning.

Myth No. 5 “Carpet is a source of indoor quality (IAQ) problems.”
As noted previously, an extensive toxicological assessment of components of, and emissions from, carpet concluded that the chemicals in carpet “present no health risks of public health concern.” Further, allergens in carpet may be removed by vacuuming.

EPA/RTI Total Building Cleaning Effectiveness Study states, “Organized cleaning contributes to reduction of particle VOCs and biological pollutants 50%+.” Also referenced is the previously mentioned 1994 report from the Environ Corporation, Safety Assessment of Components of and Emissions from Carpets.

Myth No. 6 “Carpet is harder to maintain than hard-floor surfaces, and this maintenance is more expensive.”
Properly maintained carpet only needs vacuuming once or twice weekly and periodic extraction cleaning. The sweeping, mopping, stripping, waxing, and buffing that hard surface floors demand are more laborious and costly.

A Building Office Managers Association (BOMA) study found hard-surface floors require two-and-a-half times more annual cleaning than carpet.

Myth No. 7 “Carpet is environmentally non-sustainable.”
CCI member companies, representing over 90 percent of the industry’s manufacturers, have an excellent track record over the last dozen years of decreasing wastes produced and energy consumed, improving the industry’s sustainability.

Myth No. 8 “Carpet is a major emitter of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).”
Most new interior furnishings and building materials emit VOCs for a period of time. Emissions from new carpet are among the lowest of any household’s indoor furnishings, and most VOCs dissipate within 24 hours – even faster with good ventilation.

To further minimize other IAQ concerns, specify low-emitting products, including CCI Green Label carpet, when selecting household products and furnishings.

Myth No. 9 “Formaldehyde is used in the production of new carpet.”
Formaldehyde is not used in the carpet manufacturing process. It is not emitted from new carpet.

An article published in 1989 in the American Textile Chemist and Colorists Journal stated that research conducted by the School of Textile Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, under Dr. Wayne Tincher and other researchers dispelled this widely-held myth.

Myth No. 10 “Latex in carpet produces allergic reactions.”
The latex that holds the fibers and backing together in broadloom carpet is synthetic. Synthetic latex is not associated with the allergic reactions of natural latex, which are caused by the proteins found in natural latex.

Carpet is made primarily of the same innocuous materials found in clothing and other everyday fabrics, including polypropylene and nylon.

For more information: call (905) 802-4791
email: sales@thecarpetguys.ca

Updated March 7, 2020 Filed Under: Carpet, Hardwood vs Carpet Tagged With: Carpet Allergies, carpet health risk, carpet indoor air quality, Carpet Maintenance, carpet vs hardwood floors, mold in carpet

Best Prices Guaranteed!

Carpet World

High Density Carpet Underlay

Carpet underlay is also referred to as carpet padding, carpet pad, or carpet … [Read More...]

Calculate How Much Carpet You Need

Carpet Calculator **NOTE** if your room is less than 12 ft wide - please use the … [Read More...]

How to Install Carpet Yourself

Save Money by Installing Your Own Carpet Watch these two videos and you may decide … [Read More...]

Measuring When Carpet has a Pattern

The seaming diagram Shows the overall layout of the carpet, the correct placement of … [Read More...]

Quick Carpet Measuring Chart

To calculate your total square footage for a room, just multiply your room width and … [Read More...]

Carpet Outlet Pricing

We can offer the same pricing as Carpet Outlets and has been offering consumers … [Read More...]

Why Install Carpet?

Why would you install carpet when your flooring options range from hardwood … [Read More...]

Install Carpet & Padding

We will gladly install the carpet for you and we do a great job too. Carpet … [Read More...]

Different Types of Carpet Installation Techniques

Installing Carpet on Stairs The Waterfall Method One piece of carpet covers each … [Read More...]

Local Carpet Supplier

This is a short summary of the various places you can go to purchase carpet. Factory … [Read More...]

Your Local Burlington Carpet Store

Are you looking for a discount carpet store serving the Burlington, Oakville … [Read More...]

Buy Carpet Online

We know that buying carpet online can be a scary and risky business. Your time is … [Read More...]

Berber Carpet

Berber - what a dream carpet Berber is - and not just for basements anymore. Oh sure … [Read More...]

Carpet Brands we Sell

We carry a number of carpet brands that you may be familiar with. Among the many … [Read More...]

Carpet Store

Welcome to The Carpet Guys carpet store. We are not your usual carpet store … [Read More...]

Carpet vs Hardwood

Carpet versus Hardwood The following is an adaptation of a study produced by the … [Read More...]

Quick Links

  • Summer Decorating Ideas That Are Fast – Easy And Fun
  • Decorating For Fall And Winter Easily Inexpensively
  • The Misconceptions Of Do It Yourself Projects
  • Breathing New Life Into an Old Space
  • Decorating for Odd Shaped Rooms
  • Trade Show Carpet for Sale
  • Setting the Tone for Style
  • Things are Larger than They Appear
  • More People Buy For Design

Save up to 60%

* Factory direct pricing on all in stock carpet while quantities last.
Call today (905) 802-4791 to reserve your carpet.
onthemap

Contact Information

3270 Prospect Street #115
Burlington, ON L7N 3M5, Canada
(905) 802-4791
sales@thecarpetguys.ca

Email Us

Facebook
Twitter
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Comment Policy
contact us
about us

BERBER CARPET

Berber is the best for long lasting, easy cleaning and looks great. Put it in your basement, play room, or any room. Always in fashion and style. Tons of colors to choose from.

COLOR SELLS

Either the artwork or the canvas for the art. Beige may be an easy choice but dramatic reds, dark rich chocolates, contemporary grays or serene blues can set the scene for your room. In 30 seconds, the eye signals the human brain and makes a decision to purchase based on color alone.

CARPET COUTURE

We're seeing a definite trend toward fashion in carpet. Textures, different types of yarn systems, different colorations, patterns, tone-on-tone prints, looped carpet, tip shears anything that has interest or fashion seems to be very accepted.

CARPET PADDING

Best prices on high density carpet padding, click here to find out more carpet underlay

TOS & Disclosures

Privacy
TOS & Disclosure
Contact

Contact Us

Please feel free to email us
sales@thecarpetguys.ca or fill in the online form below or call us (905-802-4791) during business hours or to set up a personal consultation and in-home estimate.
Shop at Home hours are:
1pm - 9pm Monday – Thursday
9am - 5pm Saturday

Office hours are:
9am - 5pm Monday – Saturday

Fill out this form to schedule a FREE, NO-PRESSURE, IN-HOME ESTIMATE.

Copyright © 2021 · Carpet Theme by B&MO on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in