Which carpet?
Do you know your twist pile from your loop? Plush pile from a cut pile? No? Don’t worry we are here to help!
With so many different types of carpets, it’s confusing to know what each one is and most importantly which will work best in your home.
Firstly, when choosing carpet you need to think about what room or area it is going in. This will help dictate whether or not carpet is the best choice and if it is what type of carpet: what type of material, what colour and what design.
So let’s start from the beginning…
A carpet’s pile is all about its individual fibres. They can either do the loop-de-loop back into the backing material or cut off at the top. The type of pile can affect how tough your carpet is going to be.
Loop Carpets: A loop carpet is crafted from natural wool fibres, showcasing a design characterised by looped piles. During manufacturing, uncut loops of yarn create a continuous textured surface with varying heights, resulting in different patterns. Extremely durable and hardwearing.
Loop Carpets are not as soft and luxurious as other options, however they are extremely durable and hardwearing and stain-resistant so great for families.
Best for: High traffic areas
Twist Carpet: A twist carpet is crafted from natural fibres using a tightly twisted pile design creating a textured and durable surface. The twisting adds resilience maintaining the carpet’s appearance over time. With individual strands tightly twisted around each other these carpets boast a distinctive texture offering softness comfort and resistance to wear and tear.
As it has so many fibres densely packed in there is less chance of it flattening and leaving footprints of vacuum lines.
The higher the twist levels, the more expensive these carpets are. They tend not to be as soft as other types.
Best for: High traffic areas, such as hallways
Saxony: A type of cut pile carpet, but they have long fine and densely packed fibres. They are luxuriously soft, and usually readily available in a number of styles, colours and patterns. They are durable, however they can act like a sponge to those pesky spillages and stains.
Best for: low footfall rooms and adding a touch of luxury and warmth to a bedroom.
Berber: A type of loop pile carpet. They are looped not cut giving off a lovely knot effect. They’re budget-friendly, durable, and usually have a slightly speckled colour that’s great for camouflaging dirt. But, watch out, like their looped cousins, they might catch pulls and snags.
Best for: Cheaper option, throughout the house. Higher traffic areas – but can be prone to staining.
Cut and loop carpets the lovechild of, you guessed it, cut and looped piles. Back in the ’70s, they were all the rage, but nowadays, you might need to do a bit of digging to find them at select retailers. They are usually used to created patterned carpets.
Best for: Lower volume areas. Can look worn easily.
Velvet carpets. A dense, short pile, all smooth and cozy. These are the luxurious, softest carpets perfect for bedrooms and living rooms. Super soft and beautifully luxurious. Surprisingly they require less maintenance than other carpets, but a downside is that they are prone to staining.
Best for: Bedrooms, living rooms. Anywhere you want that super soft feel underfoot.
Let’s talk materials…
Wool
Wool’s popularity for carpets stems from its resilience, durability, and stain resistance. With flame-retardant properties, wool maintains its appearance over time.
It’s naturally occurring fibre makes it an eco-friendly choice, and 100% wool carpets are constructed in loop pile – making this combination a natural hard wearing option perfect for busy homes. They give a lovely warm luxurious feel underfoot and can provide extra warmth and comfort to the room.
Polypropylene
A synthetic fibre that is man-made and much more affordable and versatile. It’s naturally stain resistant – so perfect for family houses.
Polyester
Polyester carpet, a synthetic material, presents an excellent option for individuals with allergies who desire the natural feel of wool. This material closely mimics the look and texture of wool while offering the added benefits of being stain-resistant and available in a diverse range of colours due to its man-made origin.
For environmentally conscious consumers, polyester carpets crafted from recycled materials are a sustainable choice. However, it’s crucial to note that polyester cannot be recycled post-use. Polyester carpets are less durable and may show signs of aging more rapidly than other carpet materials.
Polyester carpets are not the ideal choice for high-traffic areas. They are better suited for quieter spaces, such as dining rooms, where their unique blend of comfort and aesthetics can be appreciated.
Sisal
Is a natural fibre. This plant-derived material is environmentally friendly, being biodegradable, and surprisingly robust. Sisal is non-toxic, making it an excellent choice for individuals with allergies, and its natural absorbency acts like a built-in dehumidifier, contributing to a cooler ambiance on warm days. Maintenance is a breeze as well.
Sisal’s toughness translates to a rough texture, which may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer walking barefoot at home. Its absorbent nature also makes it less suitable for spaces with high humidity, like bathrooms or kitchens, where spills are likely.
You are limited to natural tones with Sisal.
To conclude there are many factors to consider when choosing a carpet; from the actual material, to how it’s made and also specifically the use of the room you need carpeted including footfall. As we’ve said it’s important to consider the occupants of your home too (children, pets) and consider the look and the feel you are after.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We have hundreds of carpet styles to choose from displayed in our fabulous showroom. It is necessary to touch and feel a carpet before you make an informed decision and we can help with that too as our knowledgeable team are on hand to guide and recommend. We are open Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm.