Types of Carpet

Types of Carpet

Shop Carpet Court’s extensive range of popular carpet, rugs and hard flooring styles to get a look you’ll love. Find the latest types of carpet in quality materials, durable fibres and different types of pile that will perform well for years.

 

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHOOSING CARPET FOR YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS

It would be easy to think of buying new carpet as a process where you like the look and feel of something, so you choose it. Job done. However, what many people don’t know about carpet is that factors like foot traffic, climate, stain resistance, and ease of cleaning are important considerations when it comes to choosing something that performs well for years. It is these considerations, as well as budget, that influence your choice of natural fibre or synthetic fibre, and type of pile cut.

We’ve put together this handy guide to give you a quick and easy explanation of the main types of carpets, so you can buy with confidence.

Different types of carpet to consider 

When wool or synthetic yarns (known as carpet fibres) are manufactured into carpets, they inherit different properties and create different visual impressions depending on their construction. A carpet construction refers to pile type, and this can be either a loop pile or cut pile.

  • Cut pile carpets can be tightly woven with high density into what is described as 'plush' carpet. Or the cut pile can be twisted, hence the term 'twist pile carpet'.
  • Twist pile is known for its resilience, while dense plush pile carpet provides a smooth, luxurious finish. Sometimes the pile forms part of the carpet design, where differing pile heights are used to create a pattern.
  • Level loop pile carpets can have a uniform appearance, or the loops can be fashioned at different heights to create a multi-level loop pattern and textured looks like shag carpet.

Loop pile carpet

A carpet with a loop pile construction has a textured finish or a patterned appearance.

Autumn Mist is an example of a synthetic, solution-dyed nylon carpet in a distinctive, textured loop pile. Note the interesting, patterned effect created by varying the loop pile heights. Hilltop has a slightly organic, level loop pile construction, also in solution-dyed nylon, creating a more uniform look.

Level loop piles are recognised for their excellent resilience and durability in family homes.

Plush Carpet

Cut pile carpets are made when the threaded loops are cut and form plush or twisted carpet styles. Luxurious plush carpets have a dense and smooth appearance caused by cutting the wool or synthetic fibres to an even, level height. Plush carpets are generally very soft and provide great cushioning under foot, due to the tightly packed density of the fibres.

Plush carpet fibres have a cut pile with high density and an almost velvety appearance. Luxe Tone is a fantastic example of a lusciously soft plush carpet, available in twelve sublime colours and manufactured from quality Triexta fibre.

Twist Carpet

Twist pile carpet fibres have a cut pile that has been twisted for added strength. Twisting the yarn can also have an interesting effect on the finish, such as frieze or Saxony carpet, or create light and dark shades within the fibres. Birman shows the light and dark shades characteristic of twist pile carpet.

Twist piles are more textured than plush piles and are a popular choice for family homes because the twisted fibres make the impressions left by footprints and vacuum cleaners less obvious.

Types of carpet fibres

Aside from pile choice, types of carpet fibers are the other primary consideration to inform your choice of carpet. Synthetic fibres include nylon, polypropylene, polyester, acrylic, wool and wool blends. We explain these fibres in the topics below.

Nylon carpet

Nylon has a few standout features, but the biggest is durability. Nylon carpet has elasticity and resilience, so it can stand up to heavy traffic and retains its shape under the weight of furniture. Frequently manufactured using a dye technique called solution-dyed nylon (SDN), it’s extremely colourfast, fade-resistant, and easy to clean making it a popular carpet in family rooms.

Polypropylene (Olefin) carpet

Polypropylene carpet is popular for use in commercial and investment properties because it’s durable, stain resistant and has high resistance to moisture. It’s also easy to clean. However, it’s not as soft as wool, polyester or acrylic carpet.

Polyester carpet

Polyester carpet is very soft, offering excellent underfoot comfort. Less expensive but just as attractive as pure wool carpet, it has excellent stain and fade resistance. Polyester carpet is best suited to lower foot traffic areas like bedrooms.

Acrylic Carpet

Acrylic is a synthetic material that is similar in appearance to wool. Acrylic carpet is made from acrylic fibres and is a popular choice because it’s less expensive than wool and softer and more durable than polyester or polypropylene. This is a popular choice for playrooms because it’s fast-drying and resistant to stains, mould and mildew.

Wool carpet

100% wool fibre carpets provide natural warmth, softness, and durabilty. The natural waxy film on sheep’s wool means it repels moisture, making it stain resistant. Wool blend carpets are made from an 80% wool to 20% synthetic mix (usually polyester) to create a good all-purpose carpet.

Understanding carpet fibre and pile cuts

Carpet fibre and carpet pile are the two primary components of your carpet choice. The fibre can be a natural fibre, such as wool, jute or sisal carpet, or synthetic, such as nylon or polyester. The pile refers to the carpet construction - how the loops of fibre are woven or tufted to the carpet backing material. These two important characteristics determine how the carpet will perform over time and how it looks and feels underfoot.

Rooms that are best for carpet

Colour and design aren’t the only choices to make when choosing the best carpet for a room. In order to get a look and functionality you’ll enjoy for years, the floor covering must also be fit-for-purpose. This means matching a carpet fibre and pile to the use of the room. Here are some top tips:

  • Family rooms & dining rooms - open plan living areas where food and drink are consumed need a carpet with a high level of stain resistance and a low pile for easy cleaning. You could also consider vinyl or hardwood flooring with rugs from our extensive range.
  • Hallways and living rooms - High traffic areas need carpet with a high degree of resiliency and durability. Go for a wool or synthetic loop pile carpet in these areas as they’re crush-resistant, stain resistant and show minimal vacuum marks and foot traffic marks. A patterned carpet would also be a good choice.
  • Bedrooms - Choose carpets that are luxuriously soft and comfortable underfoot with good insulative properties, like wool, and a quality underlay for carpet padding. If allergies or asthma are an issue, go for a low-loop pile synthetic carpet.
  • Basement & rumpus room - Basements and many rumpus rooms are naturally damp because they are underground or lower ground level. Synthetic fibres are best here because they are more breathable, can withstand increased moisture levels, and they release moisture to avoid the risk of mould occurring in or under the carpet.

Best quality Carpet

Carpets have different qualities to suit different requirements, so what may be designated as the best ‘quality’ carpet may not be the best carpet for your environment. Generally speaking, woollen cut and looped yarns are considered more high-end than synthetic fibre carpets, although innovative manufacturing technology means modern synthetic carpets have become tough competitors to wool in terms of durability, soil, fade and stain resistant properties, and even softness.

Respected wool carpets, like the Berber carpet range, in both cut and looped yarns have stood the test of time and continue to be regarded as the best quality carpet. Visit your local Carpet Court store across Australia for advice on choosing the best quality carpet for your lifestyle.

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Why is the type of carpet you choose important?

Just as you wouldn’t wear elegant stiletto heels while working on a farm, or gumboots to a city restaurant, you wouldn’t choose to lay plush carpet in the hallway of a bustling family home as it’s not the right type of carpet option for that situation. To ensure the durability, longevity and continued good looks of your flooring it is important to choose a carpet type that best suits the environment.

Best carpet choice for high traffic areas?

High traffic areas need a carpet that stands up to the task. Here’s a quick and easy list to get you thinking.

  • Synthetic level loop piles are known to be:

          o   hard wearing

          o   crush and stain resistant

          o   easy to clean

          o   textured finish - less likely to show imprints such as footprints and vacuum tracks

  • Loop pile carpet:

          o   Has a high degree of durability and resilience.

          o   is frequently used in polypropylene carpets which are popular in rental properties and commercial environments.

          o   is not the softest carpet underfoot, but softness is not generally a priority in high traffic areas. There are, however, new technologies in polypropylene fibre which are luxe in feel yet cost effective. Paramount is one of these products.

  • Synthetic twist pile carpet is:

          o   Hardwearing

          o   highly resistant to staining

          o   crush resistant

          o   fade resistant

 

FAQs

What are the three basic styles of carpet?

Carpet pile is usually manufactured in a loop, plush or twist format in various carpet fibres. Carpet types can be textured or plain, and also be a combination of looped and cut with each type creating a different look.

Which is the best carpet type?

The best type of carpet is one that suits the purpose and style of your room. Durable carpets are best for high traffic areas, while warm and soft carpets are best for bedrooms.

What are the three basic styles of carpet?

Carpet pile is usually manufactured in a loop, plush or twist format in various carpet fibres. Carpet types can be textured or plain, and also be a combination of looped and cut with each type creating a different look.

Which is the best carpet type?

The best type of carpet is one that suits the purpose and style of your room. Durable carpets are best for high traffic areas, while warm and soft carpets are best for bedrooms.

Best carpet choice for high traffic areas?

Best carpet choice for high traffic areas?

High traffic areas need a carpet that stands up to the task. Here’s a quick and easy list to get you thinking.

  • Synthetic level loop piles are known to be:

hard wearing

crush and stain resistant

easy to clean

textured finish - less likely to show imprints such as footprints and vacuum tracks.

  • Loop pile carpet:

has a high degree of durability and resiliency

is frequently used in polypropylene carpets which are popular in rental properties and commercial environments

is not the softest carpet underfoot, but softness is not generally a priority in high traffic areas. There are, however, new technologies in polypropylene fibre which are luxe in feel yet cost effective. Paramount is one of these products.

  • Synthetic twist pile carpet is:

hardwearing

highly resistant to staining

crush resistant

fade resistant.

If your floor receives a lot of direct sunlight, you must note that no carpet is warranted against full UV fade. You may find many of the synthetic fibre carpets such as solution dyed nylon (SDN) have better fade resistance than pure wool carpets. Blinds or some form of UV window treatments are a must to protect your floor.