3 Types of Carpet Styles
Carpets are made of fibers that are cut, looped or cut and looped. Although there are several different subcategories of carpet styles, all fall within one of these three groups.
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.
The two main types of carpet construction are defined by the way the carpet fibers are attached to their backing. Loop pile means the fibers are bent into little loops. It's a very durable, stain-resistant carpeting, but has a low profile and limited cushioning.
The most-durable carpet is nylon with short loops. It resists stains, wear and fading.
Nylon carpet is more expensive than polyester, but it will tolerate an incredible amount of abuse. It cleans easily and won't mat down like polyester.
While some consider it outdated, berber is known for being one of the oldest and most durable kinds of carpet.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.
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.
Cut pile is simply carpet loops that have been cut, whereas loop pile is when loops remain in their natural state.
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.
Wool is often considered the best choice for a living room carpet. Its hardwearing qualities – and softness underfoot – make it resistant to being compressed by furniture and footsteps. If you are after extra durability, then look no further than a blend of 80% wool with 20% nylon or other fibres such as polypropylene.
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.
High pile carpet has long fibers that create a plush and fluffy look and feel. High pile carpets add extra cushion underfoot but also more readily collect dust and debris, making it require more frequent maintenance.
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.
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.
Berber carpet is durable, aesthetically pleasing, and stain-resistant, making it a great choice for high traffic areas. It is made of loops instead of the strands used in most types carpets. The loop gives it durability and strength. It is great for areas with a lot of foot traffic, children and pets.
If a carpet is called “high pile,” it means the fibers are taller and looser. Shag carpet, for example, is a well-known high pile option. Low pile carpeting, on the other hand, has shorter carpet fibers and tighter loops. High pile might be right for you if….
Consider Different Fibers
Nylon does have a long history of proving itself to be very durable and resilient and is the most popular synthetic fiber used in carpet. However, nylon is also the most expensive of the synthetic carpet fibers. Consider choosing a less expensive fiber for your carpet.
In general, the more dense the carpet the better the quality. Check density by pressing your fingers on the carpet and trying to reach the backing. It will be difficult to reach the backing of a very dense carpet. With the tufts facing outward, bend the carpet into a U shape to see how much of the carpet backing shows.
In reality, there are dozens of varying grades of carpet to choose from, all at varying prices and warranty levels. Higher price does not always mean it is a better carpet. Thicker or higher face-weight carpets are not always worth more or more durable.
The Berber carpets nowadays are popularly known as looped style carpets and are available in many more designs and patterns than before.
While Berber is able to hide stains and dirt better than plush carpet, it doesn't mean you should take less care of it. You still need to frequently vacuum and occasionally shampoo and clean your carpet no matter which style you choose.
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.