What to know when purchasing a carpet

Purchasing a new carpet is a big decision. From choosing the carpet, to carpet installation, to finally being able to enjoy your carpet, there is a lot to take in. The first step to learning how to buy a carpet is understanding what kind of carpets are available. There are many types of carpet on the market today that beautify and add value to your home.

Carpet types
When learning how to buy a carpet, the first thing you should look at is the pile construction. Wall to wall carpeting comes in many forms, here is some information about carpet types:

Cut pile carpeting:

• Saxony or plush carpet – thick, soft, dense yarns are soft underfoot and well suited for living spaces. Saxony is the traditional wall to wall carpeting choice. It shows footprints and vacuum marks, and it wears quickly so it is not suited to high-traffic areas.

• Textured carpet – low-density fibers hide footprints and other marks well. A more casual look, it is suitable for any area.

• Friezé – yarns are twisted so they form curls, giving the carpet a casual, informal look. When the fibers are very long, it is referred to as shag carpet. Long frieze carpets are not suited to high traffic areas.

Loop pile carpet:

• Level loop pile carpet – the loops of the yarn used to make the carpet are not cut which creates a soft, textured look. Loop pile carpet is often used for commercial spaces or other high-traffic areas because the texture easily hides stains and holds up well to wear.

• Berber carpet – the fibers of the carpet are short and evenly packed. Berber carpet is named for a traditional form of hand woven carpeting made in North Africa. Modern Berber carpet is solid in color with flecks of a secondary color. It is well suited for high traffic areas.

• Multi-level loop – varying heights of loops create patterns and textures in the carpet. Similar to Berber, this carpeting is also well suited to high-traffic areas.

• Cut and loop carpet – a variation between cut pile and loop pile, the variations in appearance easily hide stains and marks making this carpeting an excellent choice for high traffic areas.

Carpet fiber types to consider
When learning how to buy a carpet, you should also take into consideration what fibers go into making your carpet. Choices include natural and man-made materials.

• Nylon – a popular choice, nylon can be dyed into any color but is not naturally stain repellant. However, nylon can be treated to enhance its stain resistance. Nylon can fade when exposed to direct sunlight.

• Polyester – more cost-effective than other fibers, it is gaining popularity. Polyester is not, however, as resilient as nylon but is softer underfoot.

• Acrylic – has the look and feel of wool and is mold and mildew resistant.

• Olefin – less likely to fade than nylon but not as resilient. Olefin is often used in outdoor carpet installation, and is highly resistant to wear.

• Wool – the only natural fiber currently used in carpet production today. Extremely soft, stain and dirt resistant, but fades easily in direct sun.

An informed customer is the best customer. If you know what you want, purchasing a new carpet can be a fun and rewarding experience!

To find out more about available carpet types, carpet installation, and other available options, contact a SMARTCarpet specialist today!