Carpet Types

Launching on a major project such as a flooring renovation can cause quite an excitement – which can usher in both good and bad news. While a new carpet system will literally provide your interiors a face-lift, the refurbishing cost alone can hike up your blood pressure. So why not eliminate the extra expense you would spend on a professional and do it yourself instead? While this might present a rather daunting job, it could turn out to be a fun task for the whole family.

First thing on your list would be to have basic information on the several types of carpets available. Without background knowledge on the popular carpet types, you will probably suffer a major fit of confusion and a splitting headache to boot. Simply put, knowing the best types of carpet would significantly narrow down your choices and lead you to the right direction.

Today’s market generally offers two main types of carpets: the loop pile and the cut pile. It is important to keep in mind that these two different carpet types would significantly dictate the look and feel you would want to project in your home interior. Factors such as the fiber used, the tuft density and the degree of the twist with every single strand greatly differ from the loop pile and the cut pile.

Normally, a cut pile features individual string of yarn that are expertly pulled through the carpet twice in order to create a small loop and are then cut to allow rufts to stand straight up. This is considered to be the more durable type of carpet and can be easily sheared in a number of ways to create a number of textures and look. It comes with five major varieties: the plush, Saxony, textured, shag, and frieze.

If you want to project a smooth and elegant finish, the plush would be the perfect choice for you. Its velvety sheen shows off every footprint in the carpet and is ideally used for living rooms to project that warm, cozy feel. At close comparison, the Saxony may not outwardly show any difference from the plush carpet, but it isn’t quite as smooth. However, it also retains foot and vacuuming marks. Among the different cut pile carpet types, the most popular choice among residential owners is the textured variety. This carpet have twisted and crimped strands that would create what might seem like a multi-hued loop that will enable one to hide foot prints and still be able to retain the soft, velvety feel. This is a highly ideal carpet to use in areas with medium to heavy traffic.

The shag gives off that retro look that seems to be the trend way back in the 60’s.As the name suggest, it has an unusually longer tufts and a considerably thicker yarn that would be soft enough for kids to play around. This makes it a popular choice for the child’s bedroom and as well as family rooms. For any home area where there is extremely heavy traffic, the best type of carpet to install would be frieze, which has short and curly strands that expertly hides footmarks and is relatively easier to clean.

If you are keen on using loop carpet piles, it is also a great choice. Loop carpet piles have been enjoying increased popularity through the years because they are so easy to maintain and clean and are known to last long. When choosing loop pile, the rule of the thumb here is to keep in mind that the densely packed and short tufts can effectively block out the dirt, while the higher loops create a more luxurious appearance. Keeping in mind these two would guide you on choosing what would be the most appropriate carpet to use on certain areas of the house.

Berbers, cable and Sisal are among the popular choices of loop pile carpets. The Berber has thicker yarns and is easily distinguished with its uniquely flecked appearance. This is an excellent choice if you want to deftly hide traffic marks. The availability of wide range of hues and patterns makes Berber an favorite among residential owners. Cable, on the other hand, projects that casual look that can greatly complement a living room with warm earthy tones which is synonymous to comfortable and casual living. Sisal is considerably tighter than Berber but has a rather stiff and coarse feel. It is made of synthetic yarns that are twisted together to expertly imitate that woven grass effect. It is commonly used in areas with extreme foot traffic and used by commercial establishments too.

So now that you have a better idea on the different carpet types available in the market today, you can shop with an expert eye leading you to pick out the most appropriate carpet for the different areas of your home.