BUYER’S GUIDE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Breaking Down the Characteristics of Carpet
Carpet is inexpensive, easy to install, and comes in a wide range of colors, styles, and texture. If you are looking to buy new carpet, here is a guide to help you get started in selecting the right carpeting for your needs.
CONSTRUCTION OF CARPETS
There are two main types of carpets construction. Carpet construction is distinguished by how the carpet fibers are attached to their backing.
TYPE 1-Loop-Pile
Loop-pile means that the carpet fibers buckled into loops. Loop-piles are very durable, and usually, have a low profile with limited cushioning or multi-level-loops that demonstrate different loop heights that create patterns and textures. Loop piles are very popular today and last a long time in high-traffic areas.
Loop pile construction:
- Multi-level loop: usually has two or three levels of rings that create a pattern that is casual and durable.
- Cut-loop: combines both cut, and loop yarns, that provide a variety of texture that include squares, chevrons, and swirls that hide stains.
”To get the best performance and most enjoyment out of your carpet it’s essential to select a carpet fiber that fits your needs.”
–Carpet & Rug Institute(CRI)
http://www.carpet-rug.org/carpet-and-rug-construction-home.html
”To get the best performance and most enjoyment out of your carpet it’s essential to select a carpet fiber that fits your needs.”TYPE 2-Cut-Pile
Cut-pile means the carpet fibers have cut tips. Cut-piles is usually denser, and softer. Cut piles have many different characteristics of the fibers can be smooth, twisted, tall, or thick cable fibers. All of which are comfortable underfoot, and depending on lengths creates texture. Cut pile is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas.
Cut pile construction:
Textured Plush: Is the most decoratively versatile because the texture hides marks from feet or the vacuum. Textured plush is a great “whole-house” carpet.
Saxony: Is a subtle surface that works well in traditional spaces, such as living or dining rooms.
Frieze: Is a twisted texture that has an informal look, but does minimize feet or vacuum marks.
Plush: is dense and feels luxurious, and is best for low traffic or formal areas, for it will show feet and vacuum marks.
CARPET STYLES
CARPET STYLESDifferent types of carpet styles to consider:
Pattern: Carpet with a pattern has strands at varying lengths that range from subtle to bold and usually has a low profile, which offers a low-maintenance and durability for high-traffic areas.
Texture: Carpet with texture has long, crimped strands that offer a casual look. The tall profile of the strands provide more cushion and no footprint-like tracks, but if not treated is harder to maintain.
Frieze: Carpet with a roughness that has long crimped and twisted strands. Its varying surface offers comfort and creates dimension for visual interest, but it not treated can be harder to maintain.
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Table of Carpet Types
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Type of Carpet
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Style
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Pros
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Cons
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Uses
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Loop Plie
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Level Loop
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Wears well since the tips of fabric not exposed
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Challenging to hide seams
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High traffic areas. Berbers and other casual styles.
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” “
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Multi-level
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Wears well, texture helps hide wear & dirt
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” “
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” “
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Cut-Pile
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Velvet Plush
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Feels soft, smooth level surface
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Less durable than loop pile, shows dirt and footprints
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Low traffic, formal sitting
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” “
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Saxony
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Smooth, dense surface. Twisted fibers mean added resilience
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Less durable than loop piles
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Medium-traffic areas. Less formal.
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” “
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Frieze
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Textured w/ highly twisted tufts adds resilience
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Curly textured surface less smooth, plush
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High-traffic areas, informal areas
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Cut-Loop
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Cut-Loop
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Islands of high cut loops and low uncut tufts create sculpted pattern that hides wear and dirt
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Uneven surface, less plush than cut piles
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Family rooms, stairways, other high-traffic areas, informal settings
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FIBERS
FIBERSThere are many different types of carpet fibers that not only affect its appearance, but it ability to be durable throughout all your needs.
Here are a few fibers you should consider:
Nylon: Is very popular, for it is durable, resistant to wear. It does require a stain-resistant treatment, for it doesn’t have that ability naturally.
Olefin: is resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew, not as comfortable as nylon but more suitable for outdoor, or damp basements.
Acrylic: is often an inexpensive alternative to wool fibers.
Wool: Is the only natural fiber that is made into carpeting, making it a premier choice that is naturally durable, stain-resistant, and eco-friendly.
QUALITY
Many manufacturers will declare their carpets to be higher quality fibers, know that there is no universal grading system for carpet quality.
Instead regard your carpet quality based on weight, and density.
- The weight indicated how many fibers are present. The more weight, the more strands, the better quality of carpet.
- Density shows how many fibers are in a pile, and how tightly they are bound together. Hint: the denser, the better, you don’t want to feel the carpet backing.
TECHNOLOGY
Some carpets may look that same; however, it is the technology on the carpeting that makes a difference.
- Stain Resistant: Soil and stain resistant technology make any dirt or grime in the carpet fibers simple to remove because the protective technology reduced the fibers ability to absorb liquids, and therefore prevents staining.
- Anti-static: anti-static technology contains a carbon compound that deflects static shock for the life of the carpet.
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