There are three basic styles of carpet – cut pile, looped pile, and cut-loop pile.
The term Saxony pile refers to a particular type of cut-pile carpet with fibers that are very soft and dense. The relatively short fibers stand straight up and down to create a lush, fuzzy surface.
There are five basic styles of cut pile carpet: Velvet, Saxony, Frieze, Shag, and Cable, each provide a different look and texture. The primary difference among these styles is the amount of twist in the yarns that will ultimately influence the carpet's durability.
Twisted pile carpet is the most popular style of carpet and comes in a large variety of colors. The yarn has been tightly twisted and the loops are cut to become this style of carpeting.
Saxony carpet is a cut loop pile carpet. Its pile is designed to be incredibly dense, for a soft feeling underfoot. This makes it popular for bedrooms and living rooms. Sometimes Saxony carpets are called a plush carpet, based on the luxurious style and feel.
Dark brown is one of the best carpet colors for hiding dirt. The darker the shade, the better the dirt will blend into the carpet. Powder and dust won't show up against the dark brown color. While a lighter brown can also be an attractive option, it won't hide as much dirt.
I generally recommend a pile height of less than 3/4″ to help reduce the chance of matting and crushing of the pile. Why? A shorter Pile-Height makes for a much more durable carpet, it makes the carpet much easier to clean and makes the carpet more stain resistant and less prone to matting and crushing of the pile.
While some consider it outdated, berber is known for being one of the oldest and most durable kinds of carpet. Berber carpeting is typically found in low maintenance, high-traffic areas, like basements.
The six types of carpet are textured, plush, frieze, cable, Berber, and cut-and-loop. Each type has its own look and performance conditions.
Cut pile is simply carpet loops that have been cut, whereas loop pile is when loops remain in their natural state.
Textured cut pile has fibers of uneven lengths to create a rougher surface texture. Frieze carpet has long fibers and isn't recommended for high-traffic areas. In its most extreme form, it's known as shag carpet. Cable has long, thick fibers and is very comfortable underfoot.
Loop pile refers to a carpet in which the loop fibers are NOT CUT (see diagram above). This type of carpet is left in it's woven form and consists of several loops of carpet fiber. A patterned loop carpet is formed when the loop fibers are at various heights. Loop piles rarely show footprints and vacuum lines.
Outdoor needlebond carpet is made by repeatedly needling UV resistant synthetic fibers to make a felted piece of material. Since there are no individual yarns and the fibers are all intermeshed with each other, this type of carpet experiences no zippering like is common in traditional commercial or berber carpet.
Sisal comes from a cactus plant
Sisal rugs are both stylish and eco-friendly. They are made from the natural plant fiber sisal, which comes from the cactus plant Agave sisalana, and they are very sustainable. If you're "going green," adding a sisal rug to your space is a smart choice.
Weight. Generally, the heavier the weight of a carpet, the greater resistance it has to flattening or compression from traffic and furniture. A 40oz or 50oz carpet for example is ideal for hall, stairs, landings, and living areas. Whereas a 30oz carpet is spot on for bedrooms.
High pile carpets trap more dirt and debris than low pile carpets. Since low pile carpets trap less dirt, they'll hold fewer allergens. When you walk over your carpet, you won't release as many allergens into the air. Low pile carpets are also easier to clean with a vacuum.
Density is determined by the thickness of the fibers and how tightly packed they are. The thicker and heavier they are, the better quality the carpet and the less susceptible to crushing. Bend the carpet sample backward (Photo). If you can see the backing easily, it's a low-density (lower quality) carpet.
Your wall color should be two tones lighter than your carpet. If you have dark walls, you can also go a few tones lighter with your carpet. Since it's much easier to change your wall color than your carpet, choose your carpet color first and then match your wall color.
As neutral tones in carpets go, beige very often stands as the top choice. To get the most out of it consider that the underlying colour is somewhat warm. Cool tones in your wall and furniture are best to offset this, ensuring the room becomes a true neutral.
The most noticeable difference is in the way they feel: saxony carpet is a soft, cut pile and has a gentle, plush touch, while the fibres in twist carpets often have a coarse finish, giving the carpet a more rustic, textured appearance.
A general rule of thumb for most residential carpet applications is to choose cushion no more than 7/16 inch thick and no less than 1/4 inch with 6 pounds per cubic feet density. If the carpet is a berber or a low profile carpet, choose a cushion no more than 3/8 inch thick with 8 pounds density.
A nylon carpet is made of synthetic material nylon. As a substitute for expensive silk in the 1930s, nylon has been the favorite among carpet materials ever since. There are two types of nylon carpet available in the market: type 6 and type 6,6.