Arizona Wholesale Supply

Olefin, also known as polypropylene, is another fiber making some headway in the residential carpet marketplace. While nylon remains the favorite fiber choice for performance, olefin actually owns about 80% of the commercial carpet market! The reason? Cost. With around a 20% lower price tag than a similarly constructed nylon, olefin carpet is now getting some hard looks for use in residential applications. Typical styles for residential olefin carpet are berbers, which means multiple color (more than 2), multi-level loop construction. Interestingly, the “berber” name derives from an ancient North African people famous for their characteristic woven fabrics.

Besides price, olefin carpets have other benefits as well. They are extremely colorfast even when subjected to direct sunlight or even chlorine bleach! This is because color is introduced into the material while it is still in a liquid state (solution dyed), prior to extrusion into fiber. Other characteristics like static and mold-resistance, make olefin carpet a valid contender for screened-in patios, basements and even recreation rooms.

Still, olefin carpets do have some challenges—of which you need to be aware. They are significantly prone to oil-based stains, which can become permanent. The fiber also has a low melting point, which means that friction from something heavy being dragged across the carpet can actually melt the fiber, causing permanent “gouges” in its face. Finally, olefin fiber is extremely subject to crushing and matting, especially in areas where you experience high traffic.

How good are you at visualizing a finished room from a collection of samples? If you find the process frustrating, this tip might make your decision easier – set the sample in the same position it will have once installed. For example, evaluate a carpet sample on the floor, not on a table or vertically on a display.

Why does this help? Well, how often do you look at your carpeting at table height? Placing a sample at the installation angle will enable you to see how the nap of a carpet or the curve of a tile looks on the floor. Color and tone can also look different with angle and distance. You want to position the sample so that you can more easily visualize the whole room.

Stand with your feet at the edge of the sample and look down, then step back a few feet and look across at the sample. This can be particularly helpful when selecting grout color for tile. Once you’ve done this with your final choices, you may very well find your decision is obvious. At the very least, you have more information for making your choice.

You can take the same approach for a kitchen or bath, although it’s a bit trickier. Get some friends to help you hold your samples at the right angles and distance from each other, then step back and look. You won’t have the whole picture, but you will be closer to it, making it easier to take those additional steps to visualizing the end result.

Energy Star Rated Tankless Hot Water Heaters Facts of Life!

Recently The Water Quality Association has done a very in-depth study of the Problem of Limescale and the lose of energy efficiency and life cycles of household appliances. Their results showed a lose of Energy Efficiency and costs increases of 25%-40%, In Boilers, Hot Water Heaters, Dishwashers, Washing Machines, Faucets, Shower Heads and the like.

Their Study showed that Tankless Hot Water Heaters, that are being pushed heavily by Energy Star as Top Rated Energy Efficient Systems actually will shut down in 19 days if they are not protected against limescale buildup.

Recently The Consumers Report.Com did an article on the actual costs of a Tankless Hot Water System, and it showed that the systems must be flushed out at least once a year if not more at a standard cost of close to $350.00 per flush.

If the Tankless Hot Water System is not protected from Hard Water / Limescale Buildup,“The Manufactures Warranties are Voided”. Therefore the Consumer would have to pay out of their own pockets the cost of replacing the Heat Exchanger in the unit.

We hope this information has been helpful to you!