It often amazes me how many people want carpeting in their dwelling area, you often see "new carpeting" advertised as if this is a desirable quality to have in your indoor space.
First of all there is the carpet, a slew of toxic materials(xylene, toluene), plastics, fire-retardants, dyes, pesticides, etc...then you have this toxic mass applied to your floor with equally toxic volatile glue. Most of these compounds are highly volatile, i.e they turn to gas readily and hence once they are in an enclosed space you will inhale them for years post carpet application.
Is it any wonder why people complain of fatigue, irritability, mood disorders, allergies when we have a substance that is so biologically toxic in our living environment? It is an indisputable fact that these chemicals cause deficits in health including cancer yet I guess having that carpet is more important then you and your families health.
So the question is, why do people even WANT carpet at all in their dwellings?
2006-12-27 06:25:31 · 10 answers · asked by r l 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
It's quite obvious that people don't know the hazards of having carpeting. I didn't until I met my husband who has a lung disease and doesn't do well in carpeted areas. Then I started researching and found out what you just said. Some people just prefer carpeting over hardwood floors, which is what I don't understand. Hardwood floors look so much better than carpet any day. Maybe they can't afford hardwood flooring. I don't know.
2006-12-27 06:35:17 · answer #1 · answered by chickmomma5 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I agree...I prefer hardwood and tile...it's not only easier to clean, but I think it's much better looking. The home we live in now is mostly hardwood ( I have some area rugs, but I have them cleaned often) But the fools who lived here previously put carpet in the upstairs bathroom. Luckily we haven't had the toilet overflow (yet). My husband and I are going to tile it in the spring (when we can open the windows). There is burgundy carpet in the boy's room...and it shows EVERYTHING, and grass-green carpet in my daughter's room. This is all coming out in the spring...we've looked underneath to find great floors that just need a good washing and perhaps a little polyurethane to protect them. There is also berber carpet of beige color in a very high-traffic area....that's outta here, too. I hate to vacuum them all the time (especially since the yellow dog sleeps on the red carpet) and with pets and children, carpet's not such a good thing. Not to mention, with all the dust collected in it that even the best vacuum can't get out, it really makes allergies around here that much worse.
I have no idea why these people wanted carpet...I suppose they didn't have small children and pets. Perhaps it kept the house a bit warmer (it's an older house, so there's nooks and crannies a stiff breeze could enter) But as for a specific reason, your guess is as good as mine.
As for me, I'm sticking to hardwood and area rugs; some that came from Wal-Mart and a couple really nice Persian ones.
As a side note...I was never concerned about my kids falling and bumping their heads. My two older children never had a problem with that, including my oldest son, who played "peter pan" off the couch and came crashing down on the coffee table and lived to tell about it. My daughter fell from the sofa a couple times...she cried for a few minutes, but is OK. My youngest son is almost three and is one of those "head bangers"....he smacks his own head on the floor when he's pissed...and pretty hard to boot. I'm sure there are parents who worry about that sort of thing, but for the most part, kids are pretty resilient and falling down getting boo-boo's is a part of growing up.
2006-12-27 14:41:48 · answer #2 · answered by VA Mamma 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As with the tube top, some people still really like it!
Carpeting is attractive because of price, and because it can go over any type of subflooring. Where as with wood and tile you need to consider what the sub floor is.. which can be a pain. And people think because they are clean the carpets will be as well. Especially families with children. They would rather have their kids fall down on something with some give than spit their heads open on tile or wood.
Also - people still continue to smoke regardless of the amount of information that is out there. It's the whole "that only happens to other people mentality."
2006-12-27 14:40:37 · answer #3 · answered by badneighborvt 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We have had all of the carpets pulled out of my last two houses. At the moment we have concrete that was beneath them showing in two bedrooms. It is still better that the carpet were! I think people grew up with them and they are cheaper to install than say wood flooring. It cost you much more in the long run though!
2006-12-27 14:30:00 · answer #4 · answered by doodlerah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I kind of agree with some of you. People are attracted to the warmth, sound dampening, softness, and so many other variables I could write a book. Hardwood and tile? Are you sure they are safe? Or is it that you are just not educated to the processes and chemicals used in those industries. As a matter of fact, are you aware of the other things that are put into your homes, and the supplies used to build them with out your knowledge. I'm not sure the the person asking this question is, because she listed chemicals used in carpet but failed to mention that they are used in the plastics that televisions and stereos are made from, and permeate the air everytime they heat up from daily use. They are used in drywall, paint, fabric, clothing, liquid soap, and perfume. AND GOD FORBID, even your PC. Yes, I know the dangers of carpet, hardwood, laminate, VCT tile, ceramic, padding, and the adhesives used to install them all. I also know that these dangerous and deadly chemicals are in almost every product we purchase and use every day, including that plastic coated carton of Soy Milk you use in your organic Mocha Latte. (not flaming on you, just picking on you)
The world we are living in today is only living longer because of advances in medical science, which is ironic, because those same advances are the ones that have put us in such close proximity to chemicals that years ago would have killed us years ahead of time. Unless we go back to living in mud huts, and hunting wild game, we have to live with the evils we know. And I know my 75 ounce Berber with a 10 lb. pad feels great!
2006-12-27 15:00:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Most people like the look and the warmth that carpeting provides. And since most people don't realize how toxic the process is, they see only the benifit of warmth and softness underfoot.
2006-12-27 14:34:06 · answer #6 · answered by ajtheactress 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you serious? Yes, carpet gives off fumes as it ages. But honestly....have you measured the ppm? Do you think in our litigious society if this were really true there would not be more laws regarding this.
You can allow junk science to lock you in your HEPA filtered home, with your organic bamboo floors...but please don't consider the rest of us neandrathals just because we choose to not worry about every little scent and smell thats in our house.
Maybe you are irritable, moody, and allergic because of STRESS....stress you create by worrying too much. Go outside, give your immune system a run for its money....Enjoy Life!
2006-12-28 00:05:55 · answer #7 · answered by petrol_pete 1 · 5⤊ 1⤋
carpeting provides comfort, warmth, soundproofing,and beauty. if youre on a crusade to rid your home of chemicals, why stop at just the carpeting? the only way youll achieve your goal is by living in a cave.
2006-12-27 15:08:22 · answer #8 · answered by mickey 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have no idea why anyone wants it. I think carpet is disgusting.
2006-12-27 14:34:38 · answer #9 · answered by annie 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
smart marketing and dumb customers
2006-12-28 18:24:17 · answer #10 · answered by sw-in-gardener 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋