Carpet has been a popular choice for flooring since the early 18th century. Today, carpet makes up nearly two-thirds of all flooring sales. Carpet is soft underfoot and does an excellent job reducing sound within a home as well as providing temperature stability within the home.
Versatility is a key advantage with carpets. It comes in thousands of colors, styles, and patterns that can be made to fit any home and interior design.
All of these choices can be a little bit overwhelming when trying to decide on what type of carpet to install. Before adding carpet to an existing structure or new project, it is always a good idea to be clear about the terminology and various types of carpet that are available. Let’s take a look at the types of carpet that are commonly installed to gain a better understanding of what will best suit your needs and application.
Carpet styles are divided into two main branches of carpet; loop pile, and cut pile. Cut pile carpet involves thread woven through the backing, and then cut evenly on the other side. The threads are then twisted to help the carpet hold its shape.
Loop pile carpet is threaded through the carpet backing, looped around, and fastened to the back.
The last style of carpet is a combination of the two. called Cut-Loop pile. Cut pile makes up the majority of carpeting.
PRO TIP
Before installing any type of carpet, be sure you have a good understanding of how much foot traffic will be traveling over the flooring. This will help you choose a carpet that looks great and most importantly will perform well over time.
LOOP PILE
Loop carpet’s tight design will not show footprints and makes it a great choice for high-traffic areas. Oftentimes, it is also the most economic option.
Level Loop Pile
This style has tufted uncut loops that are equal in height. This creates a durable smooth surface that is perfect for high-traffic areas. It is easy to maintain but provides less cushion than a cut pile carpet.
Multi-level Loop
Here, the loops are threaded through to different heights which creates a textured or patterned effect. This is a very durable choice.
Cut Loop Pile
This style is a combination of cut and loop. It can create several textures while providing some of the comforts of a traditional cut pile carpet. Often multicolored, it does a good job of hiding stains.
CUT PILE
Saxony
Feeling almost like velvet, the Saxony carpet gives rooms a formal look and feel. Elevate the luxury of your dining and living rooms instantly by installing Saxony carpets. The ends are cut and uniformly clipped to provide a soft finish. Saxony is smooth and will show footprints and indents.
Friezé
Pronounced friz-AY, this newer carpet resembles a muted variation of shag with “twisty” fibers. Great wearability means this carpet maintains its beauty longer.
Plush
One of the more commonly used cut-pile carpets, texture (aka plush) carpets offers the type of maximum versatility that is perfect for any room. This style is usually a single color. The short tufts of the carpet are sheared in a way that makes the pile very flat. It feels extremely comfortable and soft.
At The BOSS, we pride ourselves on being carpet experts. Our pro sales team is here to help you understand your options and find the best fit for your unique needs.