Carpet Styles
By Alan Fletcher - Carpet Expert & Consumer
Advocate
PLUSH
This type of carpet is usually one solid color
and has a smooth, even pile height. During manufacturing, the tufts of
this type of carpet are sheared to make the pile perfectly flat. It is the most
popular style used in homes and apartments today. You can find practically any
color imaginable. When made of nylon this type of carpet cleans easily and will
wear well if properly maintained. Plush carpets will definitely show footprints and vacuum
marks so if that is a major concern you need to choose a different style of
carpet.
TEXTURED PLUSH
This plush carpet style often has more than
one color of yarn and has varying tuft heights, thus reducing footprint
and vacuum marks. The shorter the pile height, the less footprints and vacuum
marks will show. This style is very popular and comes in virtually every color
imaginable and has about the same cost as a plush style carpet.
Learn about
Carpet
Selection
FRIEZE (my favorite)
This style of carpet has very tightly twisted tufts and
wears very well. This style of carpet can last 15 years or more. It is often
used in heavy traffic areas and provides reduced footprint and vacuum marks.
Typically more expensive than plush styles, this would be a durable and elegant
selection for the home.
SCULPTURED
This type of carpet has two types of tufts
used in its construction, one is looped and one is not, which gives this
carpet a hi-low appearance. The color usually varies in shade from light to dark
and is rich in appearance. Not as popular as it was during the 70's and
80's, it is often used in apartments.
SAXONY
A cut pile carpet in a relatively dense erect
configuration, Has well-defined individual tuft tips (this
means it is easy to see each tuft on the surface of the carpet, giving it a
rougher look or appearance). Similar to a plush style. Learn about
Carpet Fibers
BERBER (looped)
This has become quite popular in recent years
because of its elegant appearance. The tufts are looped and aligned in
rows for a clean uniform look. When choosing this carpet be sure to select one
with smaller loops to get the best wear. Large looped Berbers tend to
collapse quickly and look worn-out sooner.
I don’t recommend Berber carpet in
apartments or homes with small children or domestic pets as this carpet can snag
and run easily and is difficult to repair. This carpet is usually made of Olefin
fiber but is also available in nylon.
CUT PILE BERBER
This style of Berber is not really a Berber at
all. It does not have loops. It has a similar appearance of a plush style carpet
but has a multicolored appearance, a speckled look. Usually the main color is
light with darker flecks of color throughout.
COMMERCIAL CARPETS
Level loop and cut pile styles
Commercial carpets are generally used in
offices and commercial applications where there is heavy traffic. There are two
types I want to mention. Commercial Level loop has small loops and
Commercial Cut Pile is a short napped plush type of carpet. Both are
usually made of nylon or olefin.
Recent advancements in olefin fibers have
allowed for a carpet with brighter colors and more durability than previously
available. Commercial carpet is usually glued directly to the floor although it
can be installed over 1/4" high-density (6 to 8 pound) padding.
Any looped carpet can easily snag and run, and
for that reason is not often used in residential settings where there are
children or pets. This may be a good choice considering this carpet lasts a long
time and takes a beating! The negative aspect of using commercial carpet is that
this type of carpet is much thinner than non-commercial carpets and is not as
soft underfoot.
Learn about Selecting
the Right Carpet Pad
Alan's
List of Preferred Carpet Dealers
It's
getting harder to find a reputable carpet dealer these days! That's why
I've created a special hand-picked list of over 350 locally-owned Carpet
Dealers who offer Free estimates, Fair prices, Knowledgeable staff, Honest
measuring and Qualified installers!
See
who I recommend Near You!
