Not all carpet styles and types are made for every situation and lifestyle. Some carpet styles are made for luxurious, polished, low traffic areas and some are perfect for the everyday wear and tear of a family home with children and pets. The great thing about carpet is that it is a less expensive flooring option, can create a sound barriers between rooms, and adds warmth and comfort to your home.
This guide can help you distinguish between the different types of carpet and decide which type of carpet construction and fiber matches your personal style, budget and purpose.
Different Types of Carpet Fibers
Synthetic fibers came about in the beginning of the 20th century as a less expensive option to early carpet types traditionally created from wool. Carpets can be made out of the following types of fibers. The two most popular being nylon and polyester.
Nylon – The advantage of nylon carpet fiber is that it has a reputation for being very durable. Another advantage, is nylon carpet has a better ability form back to its original state after being compressed by furniture or other objects. Nylon will be more expensive than polyester because it is one of the most expensive synthetic fibers to produce.
Polyester – Depending on the quality of polyester, the type of material makes it slightly less durable than nylon and can show signs of wear more quickly. However, a great feature to polyester is that it has a higher stain resistance than nylon in most cases. Polyester generally has more eco friendly options, and costs slightly less than nylon carpeting.
Polypropylene – The major advantage to this type of carpeting, is that it works great in areas that could suffer from moisture issues. It has a resistance to staining, water damage an mildew because it was originally created for outdoor areas. Polypropylene is also less expensive than nylon carpeting and has a wool like appearance. This type of carpet is best suited for low traffic areas because it does not have the ability to bounce back after being compressed as easily as other options. Polypropylene should be kept away from areas of direct sunlight in order to preserve the color of the carpeting.
Wool – Wool is a very durable and resilient option, but is more high maintenance than other options. If well maintained, this type of carpeting is known for being very long lasting. Wool can help humidify a room but this can be a downside when it comes to staining because of it’s absorbent nature. Wool is also one of the most expensive options.
Different Types of Carpet Construction Styles
Carpets are constructed by weaving material through the backing of the carpet. The weaving style is known as pile and the different styles describe whether the pile is looped or cut in certain angles and variations.
Cut Pile Carpet Styles:
Cable – Cable style carpet is made of longer yarn and is known for being very comfortable.. It is not the best candidate for heavy foot traffic.
Saxony – Saxony is a more formal looking style and is very popular because of the plush look and feel. This style does show footprints and furniture marks and is not recommended for high traffic areas.
Plush – Plush is a more formal looking style, has an even surface and is smoother. The colors can be beautifully highlighted with different tones.
Textured – Textured carpet is a less formal, more casual look with uneven, crimped material. Because it is uneven, it is great for hiding the appearance of dirt, but is well suited for lower traffic areas.
Frieze – Frieze is also known as “twist” construction. It is a more casual look and provides a springy feeling. This style is great for hiding the appearance of dirt because the fibers are longer, which also makes it a better candidate for lower traffic areas.
Loop Pile Carpet Styles:
Berber – Berber carpet features short, compact. looped fibers of the same height.. This is a more casual style, perfect for higher traffic areas because they are very durable. This style is also known as level loop.
Patterned – Patterned carpet is a more textured style as the loops are different sizes. This creates many different patterns and textures. This style can also be known as cut and loop which is the middle ground between cut pile and loop pile. This style is great for disguising dirt in high traffic areas but can sometimes look worn because it is less resilient.
No matter what use you have in mind for your new carpet, nothing makes the experience less stressful than having the advice of professionals that can help you decide which carpet style and type is right for you. At Elite floors, our experts have over 10 years experience in carpentry and carpet installation and can help you make the right choice for your family. Making a decision on the type and style of carpeting in your home should be one that you are proud of for years to come. If you live in Burleson, Arlington or the Dallas Fort Worth areas, contact us to get the expert advice you need for your next home floor renovation project.
