Carpet
Carpet can offer more versatility, comfort, and ease of maintenance than other flooring options and since the benefits are almost countless and it's no surprise that carpeting is the number one floor covering in North America. It is also more "budget-friendly" than most other choices and there are styles to coordinate with every décor.
Carpet can be broken down into two major forms:
- Carpet (or Modular) Tile: Carpet tile, also known as modular carpet, provides the comfort of traditional carpeting in a flexible and practical format. Carpet tiles are advantageous for many applications because they are interchangeable and good for areas where our occupied lift system is the best installation method.
- Broadloom: Broadloom carpet is simply any type of carpet which is woven on a very wide loom, typically in 12-foot widths, and is delivered in rolls. These carpets carry a distinct advantage when they are used in large areas since they can be installed with a minimal number of seams.
Today's carpet market can be further broken down into two main varieties:
- Loop Pile: individual strands of yarn are pulled through the carpet backing twice to create a small loop. More Info ⇒
- Cut Pile: the loop is cut at the top, leaving tufts of yarn that stand straight up. More Info ⇒
The look and feel of a carpet will depend on the type of fiber used, the density of the tufts, and the degree of twist in each strand. Carpet manufacturers have developed many ingenious ways to combine those two methods to create new more attractive or more durable carpets.
Here's a breakdown of the most common styles on the market today:
Cut Pile Carpets
Cut pile carpet is typically more durable than loop pile and can be sheared in different ways to create a variety of textures and looks.
- Velvet or Plush: Smooth, soft and elegant. Carpet pile is cut several times to create a luxurious, velvety sheen that shows every footprint and is an ideal choice for formal areas.
- Saxony: Similar to velvets but not quite as smooth. Its soft texture is created by twisting fibers tightly, then straightening yarn with heat. This variety tends to retain foot and vacuum marks.
- Textured: Textured cut pile is the top-selling type of carpet on the market. Carpet pile is twisted and crimped to create a multi-colored look that hides footprints but retains its soft feel. This is ideal for casual spaces with moderate to heavy traffic.
- Shag: The retro look from the 1960's is back in both practical and psychedelic styles. Shag uses a longer tuft and a thicker yarn and creates a casual atmosphere.
- Frieze Carpet: Tightly twisted yarn with short, curly fibers that hide footprints. Can be used to create geometric or scroll patterns and is a good choice for heavy traffic areas.
Loop Pile Carpets
Long lasting and easy to clean, level loop pile is increasingly popular. Carpets with short, densely-packed pile block out dirt and are well suited to high traffic areas. Longer loops can give carpet a luxurious appearance.
- Berber: Berbers have thick yarns and are often distinguished by their 'flecked' appearance, which is excellent for hiding traffic marks. This style is extremely popular these days and available in a wide range of tones and patterns.
- Cable: Soft, heavy yarns with lots of twist and a casual look. A good option for medium traffic areas.
- Sisal: Twisted synthetic yarns that imitate the hardy, woven grass feel of aboriginal crafts. Tighter than berbers and with a stiff feel, sisals are good for high traffic areas and come in solid and fleck tones.
Multi-Level Loop Pile Carpets
Two or three different loop heights are used throughout the carpet to create more interesting, attractive, and random patterns or geometric images while maintaining a durable texture.
Cut and Loop Pile Carpets
When a combination of cut pile and loop pile fibers are used to make a carpet, it's usually to create a more decorative look. This can allow for a wide variety of textures, sculptured effects, and color combinations.
Sustainable Interiors works with all major carpet manufacturers – here are just a few of them with accompanying links to their products pages:
