Choosing the Right Carpet From a Variety of Materials and Styles
Nothing compares to the soft luxurious feeling of carpet under your feet. Carpet also provides a soft, safe and comfortable space for the kids to play. Sure carpet requires a bit of extra maintenance compared to vinyl or tile flooring, but there is simply no substitute in terms of sound absorption, warmth and overall comfort.
With so many different colours, materials and designs available, it can be difficult to choose the best carpet for your home. Different materials and styles provide different levels of performance, durability, comfort and affordability, and deciding which balance of features that best suit individual households can be a daunting task.
Below are some basic information on the different styles of carpet and the most common carpet fibres available in today’s market.
Different Carpet Styles
Cut Pile Styles
Cut Pile Twist. There are different classifications of cut pile carpets, and these refer mainly to the twist level of the pile yarn and description of the pile length. Usually the yarn is tightly twisted then heat set to give textured look to the pile surface. The pile appears to lay randomly and acts to reduce the effect of pile “shading”.
Plush. Plush is also a level-cut pile. The yarn has a little more twist and is usually set to retain this twist (water, steam, dye or chemical setting are used to set wool yarns). In Australia we tend to use the term plush to also describe saxony and velvet constructions. The appearance is a lush and luxurious surface.
Cut and Loop. Also known as carved or sculptured pile, it is basically a cut pile carpet with areas of loop pile designed into it.Like any fashion, carpet trends come and go. So don’t necessarily select the style that’s in this month’s home furnishing magazine.
Shag Pile. The pile tufts are very long and create a low density construction because the spacing of the tufts is more open than other carpet constructions. Shag pile carpets require more cleaning and maintenance than other types of carpets. They are relatively uncommon now.
Loop Pile Styles
Level Loop. A simple loop pile with tufts of equal height normally in a ‘tight’ construction using fairly fine yarn. These styles are often used in commercial carpets because of their ability to retain their appearance over time.
Berber, Heather, Tweed. Normally made of thicker yarns tufted into chunky loop tufts and usually of earth tones with a flecked or mottled appearance.
Sisal / Cord. These names are used inter-changeably but they generally refer to a heavily textured loop pile carpet. A sisal/cord carpet has a similar look to the traditional mat floor coverings made from plant fibres, but in carpet, it is a much more stylish and comfortable alternative. The loop lines can be either uniform height or a sequence of alternating low and high lines.
Multi-Level Loop. This is also referred to as high-low loop or sculptured loop. As these names imply, this carpet is made up of different pile heights, two or three heights being the most common. The difference in height creates a surface that can be described as sculptured, with the pattern appearing to have been carved from the carpet.
When the loops are cut, you create a cut pile carpet.
When the loops remain uncut, you create a loop pile carpet.
When the loops remain uncut and the loops have multiple heights, the result is a patterned loop carpet.
When cuts and loops are combined, you can create a wide range of patterns.
Features and Advantages of Different Styles
I. Plush Pile (Velour)
- Carpet pile stands upright with an even smooth surface
- Yarn is constructed with a slight twist and set
- Very soft looking in appearance
- Can show shading from footprints and vacuuming
- Luxurious final appearance
Note: Some Cut Pile carpets can develop Permanent Pile Reversal Shading
II. Twist Pile (Frieze)
- High twisted yarn laying in different directions
- Carpet more textured in appearance
- Hard wearing
- Less likely to show “shading” than a plush style
- Carpet is a combination of cuts and loops
- This creates a unique texture and enables carpet manufactures to make patterned carpets
- With differing heights of the cuts and loops, light reflects to create patterns
- Soft and popular in lounge rooms
- Durable due to the loop pile
Note: Some Cut Pile carpets can develop Permanent Pile Reversal Shading.
III. Patterned (Cut & Loop)
a. Loop Pile Commercial
- Pile forms a loop and the yarn is threaded back through the backing
- Durable and will withstand heavy traffic
- Does not show footprints
- Easy to keep clean
- Common carpet in commercial properties
- Not as prone to flattening as cut pile products
b. Textured Sisal / Loop
- A type of loop pile
- Textured loops in straight rows
- Loops can be of varied heights to create texture
- Adaptable in appearance
- Suitable for those with allergies or asthma
- A good carpet choice for rental properties as it is hard wearing
c. Berber
- A broadloom carpet made of thicker yarns
- Yarn is tufted into chunky loops of different sizes
- Usually natural off-white with a flecked appearance
- Shows less footprints and vacuum tracking
- Superior wearability
d. Shag Pile
- Long-cut pile that lay in different directions
- Low density construction with more spacing between tufts
- Deep texture and shaggy appearance
- Superior durability
- A luxurious feel carpet
Kinds of Carpet Fibres
100% Wool
- Wool is a natural fibre
- It is sustainable and biodegradable
- Non-hypoallergenic
- Easy to vacuum clean
- Very good stain resistance, due to its hard external fibre
- Excellent pile crushing resistance, due to the spring back nature of the crimp of wool
- Acts as a temperature & noise insulator
- Flame resistant due to its natural high moisture content
- Naturally static resistant
- Absorbs airborne particles, improving and purifying the air for up to 30 years
Wool Nylon blend 80/20
- Blend carpets are made from varying proportions of wool & synthetic fibres
- Durable and improved wearing due to the 2 fibres being spun together
- Used primarily in Cut Plush pile and Twist pile
Wool Nylon blend 50/50
- Blend carpets are made from varying proportions of wool & synthetic fibres
- Durable and improved wearing due to the 2 fibres being spun together
- Used primarily in Cut Plush pile and Twist pile although sisal and berber’s are common
- Generally more affordable than pure wool or 80/20 blends
Solution Dyed Nylon (SDN)
- Consistency in colour and improved colourfastness due to the colour being added to the fibre as it is made rather than after
- Great durability carpet
- Superior stain resistance due to being non-porous
- Odour resistant
- Resistant to wear
- Wider choice of carpet colours
- Stain resistance is a permanent feature
- Superior pile crushing resistance
- Excellent yarn memory for holding twist
100% Nylon (White Nylon)
- Superior durability and resilience
- Greater colour choice due to Nylons ability to more readily accept dye
- Superior stain resistance when treated appropriately
- Versatile and can be constructed into any style of carpet
- Excellent pile crushing resistance
- Excellent yarn memory for holding twist
- Excellent appearance retention over time
Polypropylene (Olefin)
- 100% synthetic fibres
- Less expensive yarn
- Similar benefits to nylon fibres
- Excellent stain resistance
- Excellent colourfastness
- Static resistance
- Easy to clean
- Commonly used in rental properties
Polyester
Polyester fibre is extremely fade resistant and provides excellent resistance to stains. Whilst not as resilient as nylon polyester is quite durable and has a strong resistance to wear.
- Non-allergenic
- Consistency in colour and improved colourfastness due to the colour being added to the fibre as it is made rather than after
- Sheds moisture
- Resists moths and mildew
- A lower cost than wool or nylon
- Polyester fibres can be made from recycled PET bottles
- Very environmentally sustainable
Polyester is an all-round good choice for residential carpet offering performance and value for money.
Call or visit us at Tile Wizards for enquiries, or to see our wide range of carpet products. We have stores located across Australia:
- In QLD – Bokarina, Springwood
- In SA – Lonsdale, Para Hills West, and Richmond
- In NSW – Coffs Harbour
We have just introduced carpets in our store in Richmond SA, in Adelaide!
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