What are the different types of carpets?

There is no denying that carpets have the remarkable ability to give life and comfort to a room. With a wonderful range of carpet options available in terms of colors, textures, and fabrics, they have become an immensely popular flooring choice for many Australian households. Since the early 19th century carpets have helped to create comfort and beauty in homes all around the world and have definitely stood the test of time. There was even a time when carpet would be found in kitchens and bathrooms. One of the first considerations when deciding on a suitable carpet will usually be the carpet fabric, the choices include wool, solution-dyed nylon, and polypropylene. The next consideration is the visual appearance such as colour, type, style, and texture. There is no doubt these aspects are important as they will contribute to the overall appearance and comfort of your new carpet, and not to forget the importance of the underlay. But there is another aspect of carpet that needs to be considered and that is the carpet pile and how it is constructed.

 

 

Carpet Pile Types Explained

Cut Loop Pile carpet

This versatile carpet offers a blend of softness and resilience as with loop pile carpets with the smooth and refined appearance of cut pile carpets. The combination of looped and cut yarns camouflages dirt and footprints, making it a practical and aesthetically appealing option for many homes and commercial settings.

Cut-loop pile carpet is a type of carpet construction that combines two different styles of yarn loops to create a unique texture. The way this is done is by having some of the loops cut and others left intact giving a patterned or sculpted appearance, and a diverse range of patterns and textures on the carpet surface. It's a very durable carpet that can withstand heavy foot traffic, but it also offers a blend of softness and resilience as with loop pile carpets with the smooth and refined appearance of cut pile carpets.

Cut Pile Carpet

Cut pile carpets are widely used in residential and commercial spaces due to their comfort, softness, and ability to resist crushing from foot traffic. They come in a range of beautiful colors, patterns, and materials, allowing homeowners and designers to find the perfect match for their interior decor and functional needs. Cut pile carpet is a type of carpet construction where the yarn loops are cut at the top, creating a soft and dense surface. Unlike loop pile carpets, where the loops remain uncut, cut pile carpets have a more even and uniform appearance, giving them a plush and luxurious feel underfoot. There are four variations to how cut pile carpet is manufactured there are:

• Plush - Plush cut pile carpets have a smooth and velvety surface with a formal appearance. The yarns are cut evenly, creating a uniform height across the carpet. Plush carpets are known for their elegance and comfort but may show footprints and vacuum marks more prominently due to their denser pile
• Saxony - Saxony cut pile carpets have longer, twisted yarns that give them a more textured and relaxed look. The twisted fibres help hide footprints and vacuum marks better than plush carpets, making them a popular choice for residential areas.
• Textured - Textured cut pile carpets have a slightly less formal appearance compared to plush and Saxony carpets. The yarns are twisted, but the fibres are not as long, resulting in a more casual and versatile style that can work well in various settings.
• Frieze - Frieze cut pile carpets have highly twisted yarns that curl over at the surface, creating a highly durable and forgiving carpet. The twisted fibres help hide footprints and wear, making them suitable for high-traffic areas.

Looped Pile Carpet

Loop pile carpets are known for their ability to withstand wear and tear, and with their resistance to crushing and matting they are a popular choice for areas with heavy foot traffic, such as hallways, stairs, and commercial spaces. Loop pile carpet is also a popular choice for larger families and pet-friendly homes as it's characterized by its durability, resilience, and unique textured appearance. When a looped pile carpet is constructed the yarn forms loops that are left uncut, creating a series of continuous loops on the carpet surface. If you are looking for a soft carpet loop pile may not be a perfect choice as the loops can be firmer and less cushioned than other carpets. Nevertheless, they offer practicality, a wide range of design options, and a low-maintenance flooring solution for many different environments. There are different variations of loop pile carpets, each offering distinct features such as:

• Berber - Berber loop pile carpets have a dense, looped surface with larger, chunkier loops. They are often made from natural-toned, flecked yarns, giving them a rustic and casual look. Berber carpets are highly durable and well-suited for high-traffic areas.
• Level Loop - In level loop pile carpets, the loops are all the same height, creating a smooth and even surface. This type of loop carpet is also very durable and is commonly used in commercial settings and busy households.
• Multi-Level Loop - Multi-level loop pile carpets have loops of different heights, which create patterns and textures on the surface. This style adds visual interest and can hide dirt and footprints effectively.

Twist Pile Carpet

This carpet pile is ideal for high-traffic areas due to its resilience, it won't show footprint or furniture impressions as easily as a plush pile carpet. Twist pile carpet refers to a type of carpet construction that involves twisting the carpet fibres together tightly. The twist refers to the way individual yarns (often made of nylon, polyester, or wool) are spun to create a more resilient and durable carpet surface. Twist pile carpets are a popular choice due to their:

• Durability - The tight twisting of the fibres makes twist pile carpets more resistant to wear and crushing, making them suitable for high-traffic areas.
• Resilience - The twisted fibres have a natural "bounce-back" ability, which helps the carpet maintain its shape and appearance
• Softness - Twist pile carpets can be quite soft and comfortable underfoot, especially if they use high-quality, luxurious fibers like wool.
• Aesthetic appeal - Twist pile carpets come in various styles and textures, allowing for a wide range of design options to suit different interior preferences.
• Stain resistance - Depending on the type of fibres used, twist pile carpets can be treated to be more resistant to stains and spills

Your trusted local Sunshine Coast carpet specialists.

We understand that it's not always easy to make decisions and that is also true when purchasing an important product like carpet. That is when consulting with a flooring specialist becomes invaluable, as they can give you guidance tailored to your preferences, needs, and budget to help you find the right carpet type for you. 

For the latest information on carpets and other carpeting options, speak to the carpet experts at Impact Flooring simply call 07 5443 1295 or complete our quick online quote form.

Reference - https://www.choice.com.au/home-improvement/building-and-renovating/flooring/buying-guides/carpet