FTC reclassifies Smartstrand carpeting fiber!

Mohawk and Dupont’s revolution in fiber technology has been enough to convince the Federal Trade Commission of the differences in the Smartstrand brand of carpets. A new polyester sub-classification has been established and Triexta is the new name.

In order to get the FTC to re-classify the fiber it had to be demonstrated that:

1) The fiber has the same general chemical composition as an established generic fiber category.

2) The fiber has distinctive properties that make it suitable for uses for which other fibers under the established generic name would not be suited, or would be significantly less well-suited.

3) These properties are important to the general public.

4) These properties are the result of a new method of manufacture or the fiber’s substantially differentiated physical characteristics.

This is the first fiber extension the FTC has granted since Nylon in 1959!

This new fiber technology allows Mohawk Smartstrand and Dupont Sorona fiber carpets to offer some truly amazing stain protection engineered directly into the fibers and not topically applied. Also the wear ability of the fiber is comparable with many styles of Nylon carpeting.

Why is this important to the industry?

Polyester when it came out in the 70’s and 80’s underperformed in many residences resulting in a large number of claims to manufactures and dealers alike. Since that time Polyester fibers have had a negative reputation with many flooring retailers because of the troubles it caused the consumers and industry as a whole.

In the meantime Polyester fiber, or PET, has come along way. Many polyester products now perform well for residential use and often for a much lower price point than simillar nylon carpets.

Triexta takes these advances in fiber technology a significant step further creating better stain protection, a softer feel, and improvements in the sheer durability of the fiber. While some salespersons may still try and claim that the Smartstrand and Dupont Sorona Fibers “are just polyester”, this is in fact not true! The FTC wouldn’t have made this reclassification if that statement were true. This product is demonstrably different from polyester.

Dupont Sorona fiber Smartstrand carpeting is also made with 37% corn oil to make a more environmentally friendly product and also helping to reduce our dependency on foreign petroleum.

We at Florida Carpet Outlet have had extraordinary customer satisfaction with Smartstrand and Dupont Sorona fiber carpeting. Especially for those busy families looking for a carpeting selection that can handle children, pets and still fit their style choices and budget.

Ask our sales associates about Smartstrand and Dupont Sorona fiber carpets from Mohawk!

Smartstrand: It’s just better!

James Dodd – General Manager, Florida Carpet Outlet

Florida Carpet Outlet Partners with Shaw Floors to Deliver Recyclable and Beautiful Flooring Choices

Fall Green Fair, Saturday, October 25 10am-4pm Florida Carpet Outlet 4429-G Cleveland Ave., Ft. Myers 239-332-5498

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dalton, Ga. – October 15, 2008- It’s no secret that environmental consciousness is evolving. In fact, recent consumer research reveals that 78% of consumers are making an effort to recycle in their homes, 72% are concerned about environmental issues and an overwhelming 88% are interested in learning more about eco-friendly products.

While many companies are making environmental promises for the future, there is a flooring store right in our community that’s different. Florida Carpet Outlet, a local Ft, Myers retailer is making positive strides and taking action by offering recyclable and other eco-friendly flooring choices to consumers in partnership with Shaw Floors, a leading floor covering provider. Learn more about green flooring from Florida Carpet Outlet at the upcoming Fall Green Fair that will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008 from 10am-4pm at Florida Carpet Outlet, 4429-G Cleveland Ave, Ft. Myers ( Colonial Plaza Shopping Center) A key part of the Shaw Floors green commitment is the company’s aggressive and large-scale commitment to keeping carpet out of landfills.

The company is making great strides with the help of Shaw’s Evergreen Nylon Recycling Facility in Augusta, Ga. The facility can take carpet or area rugs made from Type 6 nylon (N6), such as Shaw’s Anso® nylon, and remake it into new nylon fiber over and over again—without the loss of beauty or durability. Actually, N6 epresents a large percentage of carpet found in American households. This recycling process is known as “cradle to cradle”--- breaking a used product down into its raw material and rebuilding the raw material back into the same product. So far, only N6 has this “cradle to cradle” or Carpet to Carpet™ capability. And only Shaw is working with retailers such as Florida Carpet Outlet to recycle carpet and area rugs on such a large scale.

Evergreen will recycle more than 100 million pounds of nylon carpet each year that would have otherwise gone to landfills with the help of flooring retailers like Florida Carpet Outlet. Consumers, installers and retailers can recycle their carpet at designated carpet collection sites. In fact, Shaw has over 50 carpet collection sites established throughout the nation and this network is growing. Plus, many collection sites can down-cycle other carpet fiber types into items like automotive parts. Look for Shaw Floors at Florida Carpet Outlet that have the Shaw Green Edge label.

“Florida Carpet Outlet is proud to be part of the Shaw Floors effort to offer eco-friendly flooring choices to our customers,” said Nancy Eckkardt, Design Director at Florida Carpet Outlet “Offering green products and making green choices in running our store makes good sense for our business and, most importantly, for our community.” Carpet isn’t the only “green” product offered by Shaw Floors at Florida Carpet Outlet Shaw has introduced Epic™ hardwood, a breakthrough in engineered hardwood flooring.

Not only is Epic a beautiful product with great visual character, but Epic also has an environmental story. Epic hardwood uses 50 percent recycled content and comes from managed forests. Additionally, Epic’s dense inner layer, EnviroCore™, is composed of wood fiber that’s created in the manufacture of other products, especially sawmill by-products that would otherwise be burned or put into landfills.

Florida Carpet Outlet is taking other steps within the store to go green as well. On hand during the Green Fair will be experts from Ferguson Enterprises, Mastercraft Cabinets, Inc. (cabinets made out recycled material), Benjamin Moore( Eco-Friendly paint), Wright Construction ( solar powered construction vehicle), Karen Benson Interior Design, Kravet Fabrics, Eco Domo ( which makes leather floor tiles out of recycled BMW seats, and others. There will be door prizes, a light lunch with food and wine and speakers. Numerous items will be specialty priced with proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity.

For more information, please call The Florida Carpet Outlet staff at (239) 332-5498.

Florida Carpet Outlet Launches New Blog!

Welcome to the official Florida Carpet Outlet blog! We look forward to hearing from you.

Location at 4429-G Cleveland Avenue (Colonial Blvd & US 41) in Fort Myers, Florida Carpet Outlet is Southwest Florida's leader for all types of flooring for your home and office including bathrooms, kitchens and backsplashes. We have the largest in-stock inventory of carpet, wood, tile and area rugs in Ft. Myers, Florida housed in an 11,375 sq. ft. showroom with free in-store designer services.

Please call us at (239) 332-5498!

James Dodd
General Manager
Florida Carpet Outlet