Question

Discuss any five factors affecting the choice of carpets.

Mention any five factors influencing the choice of carpets in a room.

Answer 1

1. Size of Carpet: Carpets are made in strips, squares, and broad-loom widths. A narrow width of carpet is known as body-width or strips. Carpets that are wider than the body width are known as broad-loom. Modular carpet tiles (SO cm x 50 cm) of 3.-5 mm thickness are used to create interesting patterns.
2. Colour: The colour of a carpet should be in accordance with the furnishings used in a room. A large room can have a dark-coloured carpet. In a small room, the colour of the carpet should blend with the colour of the walls, to bring out continuity and wider space.
3. Plain or Patterned: Plain carpets go well with patterned upholstery material. Oriental carpets look good in formal rooms.
4. Care Needed: While choosing a carpet, one should keep in mind the amount of care and maintenance it would require.
5. Durability: The durability of a carpet depends on many factors, including the kind and quality of the fibre used. The quality of fibre should be checked. Wool is considered to be the best kind of fibre for making carpets because it is durable and colourfast. Cotton rugs are soft and crushable. They sal easily and are not colourfast. But they are usually durable. Ju~e and hemp are used for making the backs of the carpets and rugs. However, jute decays under moisture. Another important factor which determines the durability of a carpet is the closeness of the pile.
6. Stains: Carpets with a shiny surface show sal and crushed marks more easily. Dark shades show lint, so medium shades should be preferred.
7. Cost: For low budgets, felt jute coir, cotton rugs, or even chatais are a good choice. Carpets should always be bought from reliable stores or dealers.
8. Impressions: A high pile on the carpet looks good but gets crushed more easily than a short pile.