What Does That Mean?
When you walk into the store to look at carpet samples, you may quickly find yourself overwhelmed with terms that are outside your everyday vocabulary. Before you start your carpeting adventure, familiarize yourself with these terms:
- Pile – the texture and height of the carpet
- Density – how close together the strands of the carpet are. Higher numbers mean the strands are more compact and the carpet is stronger.
- Fiber – the yarn of the carpet, which is spun as two, three or four-ply. Types of fibers include wool, nylon, olefin, polyester and acrylic.
- Weight – the weight of the carpet is determined by how many ounces it is per square yard. The entirety of the carpet (backing, coating and fibers) is the total weight, while the fibers alone is the “face weight.”
“Pile” on the Information
There are several different types of carpet ‘piles’ to choose from, each with characteristics that benefit different room and traffic areas. With cut pile, the ends of the carpet fiber are cut evenly across. The most common forms of cut pile include:
- Frieze – A twisted fiber, frieze is the best carpet for high traffic areas. It’s often used in commercial projects, since the fibers aren’t uniform and hide dirt and other discrepancies well.
- Saxony – With a high density of packed half-inch fibers, Saxony (also known as ‘plush’) has a soft feel. Because the carpet is cut in a uniform fashion, it often shows vacuum marks, footprints and other movement of the fibers. This is considered the best option for formal settings.
- Textured – Less dense than Saxony, textured is still a soft carpet option with a more casual appeal. You’ll see this used the most in homes because it often has a variety of tones and uneven cut, which hides dirt well.
Loop pile is another option, especially durable in high traffic areas. The fibers, as you can imagine, are attached to the back of the carpeting in loops and come in two main varieties:
- Berber – Berber is one of the most common and inexpensive form of loop pile available. The loops are a variety of sizes across the carpet and are usually in natural color tones. While this is usually a great option for bedrooms, you may want to consider something else if you have indoor pets. Because the loop height varies, pets can easily snag their nails and pull several loops at once.
- Level Loop – Level loop has loops consisting of the same height, providing a smoother surface that is also very durable. Notably, however, it is not as soft and comfortable as other options.
There are also combination piles available, called (coincidentally) ‘cut and loop.’ This option is often used to create a pattern in the carpet (such as diamonds or a basket weave look). This option is also softer than standard loop options. As you make your selection and consider the cost of each type, remember that more expensive carpets have more pile (yarn) per square inch, which means it is less likely to crush over time.
Put a Little Bounce in Your Step
The padding you choose to go underneath the carpet is just as crucial as the type of carpet pile. The cushion under the carpet, which gives it a little bounce rather than setting directly on the hard surface of the floor base, can make all the difference in the quality of the carpet installation. Quality, which provides comfort and insulation for both weather and noise, doesn’t mean the thickest padding available. The best options are usually between six and eight ounce weight.
Don’t Take on the Task of Choosing Carpet Alone
HA Construction can help you determine the pile and padding that are best suited for your carpeted area – providing you with insight on the best quality options. Even with a lesson on terms and styles, it can still be a very overwhelming task to choose what works best for your home, since there are so many facts to consider. Andy and the guys at HA Construction are the experts – take advantage of their knowledge and understanding of your needs.
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