Visiting a carpet website or shop can be an overwhelming experience as there are so many different types of carpet. Unless you have a good idea of the type of carpet you want from the start you may be thrown by the amount of choices. Carpets are classed by either the materials or methods used to make them. And, to add to the confusion, you also get carpets classed by their country of origin, Persian carpets for example.
Firstly let’s consider ‘pile’. This term simply means how the carpet fibres are structured. There are two different piles of carpets: Loop pile and Cut pile. Loop pile is how every carpet starts with rows of looped fabric woven into a carpet backing. If you then snip the loops at the top to create single strands of fibre you achieve the cut look. So your first choice will be to decide between loop or cut pile, or a combination of both. Each type has a distinctive look and feel and is better suited to some rooms more than others:
- Loop pile carpets are similar to natural flooring like sisal. The loops create a high level of bounce and are very hard wearing so ideal for high footfall areas. But they are not that comfortable to walk on without shoes. Also not recommended in rooms that cats and dogs frequent as claws can pull the ‘loops’ and damage the carpet.
- Level loop or Berber carpets have one length of loop throughout which gives the carpet an even feel or look.
- Twisted pile is a cut pile carpet where the strands are twisted together to give them more strength. They therefore have a coarser feel but are more hard wearing and easy to clean.
- Frieze carpets are the most durable form of cut pile carpets. They are highly twisted with short fibres that hide footprints and vacuum marks.
- Saxony carpets are cut pile carpets that have longer strands known as deep pile. They feel comfortable underfoot but can flatten down easily so are mostly recommended for living rooms and bedrooms.
- Velvet or plush carpets are also cut pile but use soft, untwisted fibres to give the most luxurious experience. Highly recommended for bedrooms.
So don’t forget to match your type of carpet to each room. A bathroom or kitchen will need heavy duty, stain and water resistant carpet. A hallway that is trodden on frequently will also require a heavy duty carpet. Whereas in your bedroom you can indulge yourself in the softest and most comfortable foot pleasers!
Explore the rest of our website for more help choosing the right type of carpet.
