Carpet Styles & types

For the most part, carpets fit into one of two styles: loop and cut-pile. These terms refer to the manner in which manufacturers attach the carpet fibers to the padding. As the names suggest, loop carpet has fibers that are attached to the padding at both ends, forming a loop, while cut-pile carpet has fibers that stand straight.

Level-loop carpet is the standard form of loop fiber and has loops of identical height. This style, especially high-density loop carpet, wears well and is easy to vacuum; consequently, it is a good choice for high traffic areas in your home. Unfortunately, level-loop carpet does not feel as soft as cut-pile carpet.

Alternative forms of loop carpeting are multilevel loops and Berber carpet. Multilevel loops have loops of different heights, which add a textured look to your carpet and still wear well. However, they also hide dirt between the loops and are thus difficult to vacuum. Berber carpets, on the other hand, have loops of especially thick yarn (perhaps wool) and often have a very luxurious feel. The thick yarn can snag, however, so save your Berber carpet for low traffic areas of your home.

Cut-pile carpet is generally more luxurious than loop carpeting, but it also retains more dirt and crushes easier than loop carpet. Therefore, use cut-pile carpeting in low traffic areas. Plush (or velvet) carpeting is the most formal cut-pile option, and it has a smooth level. Saxony and frieze styles are less formal (especially frieze) and minimize footprints.

If you can’t decide between loop carpeting and cut-pile styles, you can have the best of both worlds with cut and loop pile carpeting. As the name suggests, this style has both looped fibers and cut fibers. This manufacturing tactic creates a textured appearance but it is neither as luxurious as cut-pile carpeting nor as durable as loop carpeting.

Carpet Styles & Types