Getting the right carpet goes a long way in determining the overall outlook of your home. Besides, no one can deny the sweet feeling of having a soft and cosy material under their bare feet.

 

Unfortunately, few people know the different factors to consider before choosing the right carpet and end up getting something below par.

 

To help you choose the right carpet, this article explains the different carpet styles you can find today regarding materials, textures, colours, and types.

What Are the Components of a Carpet?

Here are the main components of a carpet. Each element comes together to determine the overall quality of a rug, so you have to consider each before choosing a product.

Fibre

This is the material that a carpet is made of. It could be natural, like wool, or synthetic/artificial, like polyester and nylon. This component determines the appearance and performance of each carpet.

Pile

A pile is a carpet's visible surface, describing how each material is arranged on the rug.

Backing

This is the back of the carpet, and they come in two types: primary and secondary backing. The primary backing is where the materials attach, while the secondary backing is a barrier between the carpet padding and the floor.

Density

This explains how close the yarns or threads are in a carpet. Tighter yarns lead to denser piles and, in effect, greater quality.

What Are the Different Materials of Carpet?

These are some of the popular materials used to make carpets:

Wool

Thanks to its sturdiness and durability, wool is one of the best carpet materials out there. Besides being a high-quality natural fibre, it’s luxurious and incredibly soft. Plus, wool carpets are stain resistant with flame-retardant characteristics.

 

Unfortunately, this fibre isn’t without its faults. For one, it’s not easy to maintain, and its colours can fade over time. To avoid the latter for as long as possible, installing this kind of carpet in a room without direct sunlight is better.

 

Since wool is a natural item, it can be affected by mildew and mould, so you should avoid installing it in places with moisture and high humidity,

 

You should also note that high-grade wool is more expensive than synthetic fibre carpets. Some manufacturers produce rugs made of wool and synthetic fibre blends so that buyers can enjoy the benefits of both.

Nylon

Nylon is a popular synthetic carpet fibre, making up about 70% of synthetic carpets. Carpets of this material are attractive, durable, and affordable, making them a top choice among buyers.

 

On top of that, they have high resistance to mildew, mould, rot, and wear. Also, they’re easy to dye, and their colours last a long time. If the carpet is well maintained, it can last up to 15 years.

 

This fibre has different construction and styles, from shag to textured, frieze, and loop-cut-loop (LCL).

 

In terms of affordability, while it costs more than other synthetic fibres, it’s not as expensive as wool. Then a wide range of nylon carpets are available, so you can always find something that fits your budget.

 

One downside of nylon carpet is that it can create a lot of static, but you can eliminate this by treating it before installation.

Polyester

Polyester is more like a cheaper version of nylon fibre. Like the latter, polyester is stain- and moisture-resistant. Polyester carpets are incredibly soft and comfortable to walk on in a thick pile form.

 

Some polyester carpets, like PET, are produced with recycled plastic bottles. So, if you’re one for ecofriendliness, this is one material you should consider getting.

 

However, unlike nylon, polyester isn’t quite resilient and is more prone to wear and tear than its close cousin. It also tends to flatten under weight, which makes it a wrong choice for areas with high traffic. And although it’s stain resistant, it gets a lot of oil stains, which can be challenging to remove.

Polypropylene (Olefin)

Polypropylene, or Olefin, is a fibre becoming increasingly popular in residential and commercial spaces. It’s as soft as nylon fibre and similar to natural wool.

 

Polypropylene is stain- and water-resistant, although it gets soiled easily. Thankfully, it’s easier to clean, and you can even use bleach on this material.

 

Another good thing about this fibre is that it’s solution-dyed, which makes it fade-resistant. This feature makes it a suitable carpet option for areas with lots of natural light and high traffic.

 

Although this material isn’t as costly as nylon, it’s more expensive than acrylic and polyester. Also, polypropylene carpets aren’t as resilient as nylon, so they’re better used in low-pile carpets like Berbers.

Acrylic

Acrylic is sometimes called synthetic wool because it’s like a cheaper version of natural wool in terms of appearance and feel. It’s also blended with wool sometimes.

 

This material is highly resistant to staining, fading, and moisture. Its stain-resistant and fast-drying nature is why you should consider using this carpet type in playrooms.

 

The downside of acrylic is that it’s not very durable and wouldn’t last well in high-traffic spaces. It can also get stained by alkaline chemicals.

Sisal

This is a natural fibre used to produce carpets, and it’s gotten from the Sisal cactus plant. It’s a rough material but also makes for a sturdy carpet material. Thanks to its durability and easy maintenance, Sisal works well outdoors.

What Are the Different Types of Carpet Piles?

As we’ve explained earlier, the pile is how fibres are arranged on the carpet. There are various kinds of carpet piles, each meeting different needs.

For instance, rooms built for low traffic and comfort will require a different pile than rooms with high traffic.

Below is a breakdown of the different kinds of carpet piles.

Cut Pile

Cut pile is a carpet style where the exposed materials are cut off at a certain height and twisted into tufts. The outcome is a soft, easy-to-clean, and inviting carpet.

 

This carpet’s durability is usually determined by the kind of fibre used, the amount of twist in the yarn, and tuft density. This means that a greater twist makes a more resilient shape, making it an excellent option for high-traffic rooms.

 

Cut pile is available in different styles based on length and thickness level. These are some that you can find on the market:

 

• Plush Carpet: This is an even-cut pile, resulting in a dense, super smooth, and luxurious carpet. It’s also called Velour or Velvet carpet and is excellent for rooms with formal settings or low traffic.
• Frieze Carpet: This is another dense carpet made by adding a larger twist to each tuft, causing them to curl. This helps to reduce vacuum marks and footprints. A popular carpet type in this category is the shag carpet, an old-time carpet with long and thick fibres.
• Cable Carpet: This type resembles a frieze carpet, although some fibres are thin while others are thick. This gives it a varied appearance.
• Saxony Carpet: Saxony’s tuft is more twisted than the plush carpet. It also has longer fibres than the latter. This carpet has a refined texture, perfect for living and dining rooms.

Loop Pile

Loop pile is the opposite of cut pile because, unlike the latter, this carpet style connects each material to the backing twice. This creates loops instead of tufts.

 

Since the yarn loops are intact and the tips aren’t exposed, these carpets are highly resistant to stains, easy to clean, and extremely durable. They’re also ideal for high-traffic residential and commercial areas because they’re immune to footprints and vacuum marks.

 

These are the famous loop pile carpets:

 

• Level Loop Pile: The loops in this carpet are the same length, creating a uniform look. The most common carpet in this category is the Berber carpet, which has uncut fibres that are tightly looped. These carpets are resistant to damage and stains thanks to their short yarns.
• Multi-Level Loop: It’s also called a high-low loop. It’s designed with different loop heights to form specific textures or patterns. They provide a real dimensional look and good durability.

Cut-and-Loop Pile

As the name implies, the cut-and-loop pile blends cut and looped fibres. This combination leads to various surface textures and improves the carpet's appearance. It also features a multicolour effect that helps to hide stains and soils.

 

This carpet style is currently in vogue, although it’s been around for a while. Sisal carpet is a typical example of a carpet in this category.

Twist Pile

It’s also called cut pile twist, a sub-category of the cut pile carpet. This kind of carpet pile has its yarn twisted tightly. It’s coarser but features more texture than plush carpets and other even-cut pile carpets.

 

Twist piles are highly durable, so they work perfectly for busy areas of the house, like hallways and stairs. Plus, it’s an excellent option for people with kids.

What Are the Carpet Styles for Different Rooms?

Although this comes down to your tastes and needs, these options can point you in the right direction.

Bedrooms

For master bedrooms, you may want to focus on something soft and cosy. That’s why you should opt for a soft fabric like nylon or wool. You should also consider medium or deep-cut pile carpets, e.g., Saxony.

 

The case is different for kids’ bedrooms. Kids tend to be all over the place, so you should focus on getting synthetic material with short or medium piles. In addition, ensure that you buy a carpet material that’s easy to maintain.

Living Rooms

Living rooms are high-traffic areas, so you need a carpet that doesn’t wear and tear quickly. In this case, a low-pile carpet is your best bet.

 

When choosing the material, tilt towards synthetic fibres. Not only are they durable, but they’re easier to clean.

Stairs

Like living rooms, stairs have high traffic, so you need to check out durable and resilient options. Wool is great, but you can also try synthetic loop pile carpets because they’re stain- and crush-resistant and show little footprint and vacuum marks.

What Are the Different Colours of Carpet?

Colour plays an important role when deciding on the right carpet to buy. Carpet colours can range from very dark colours to brightly coloured ones and even patterned ones. It’s good to check out what’s trending to make a better decision.

 

To narrow things down, here are a few colour options:

Neutral Colours

Colours in this category are called neutral because they’re not affected by what’s trending or popular. Installing a neutral-coloured carpet in your home means you don’t have to worry about updating your decor after a while. Some colour options in this category are browns, greys, beiges, and certain shades of blue.

Tan and Beige Colours

You can never go wrong with tan, brown, and beige because, like neutral colours, they don’t go out of style. Plus, these colours always go well with any decor type. And you can always spruce things up with textured or patterned carpets.

Light Colours

Light colours make things larger and airier. So if you want to brighten up your living space, consider colours in this category, especially creams and whites.

However, note that these colours won’t hide stains. Therefore, they’re better installed in places with low traffic. Otherwise, you should get a stain-resistant material or one that’s easy to maintain.

Dark Colours

If you want some parts of your house to feel cosier, you’ll get that with dark colours like blacks, maroons, purples, and other dark shades. Besides, their ability to hide stains is one reason you should consider this colour option, especially if you have kids or would like to preserve high-traffic areas in your home.

Conclusion

Choosing the right carpet doesn’t have to be a hassle if you know what components to look for. With this detailed explanation of the various carpet styles on the market, you can contact a carpet store to get the right fit for your home.