|
At Carpet Express, we know that selecting the best carpet for your home is a very important decision. We also know that it can be a little confusing trying to compare different types of carpet including fibers and carpet construction. We hope the following advice will help you have a successful shopping experience.
First of all, be sure to purchase your carpet from a reliable store such as Carpet Express. We've been in business for 18 years under the same management as well as many of the same sales people and support staff. It is very important to us that you are a satisfied customer and we want to help you choose the most appropriate floor for your home or office.
Begin shopping by determining what factors are most important to you – durability, look and feel, color, style, brand recognition or warranty.
Cut-pile carpet is your most popular residential carpet. Whether it's trackless, plush, frieze, or shag, most of these styles are constructed of either nylon or polyester fiber. Both of these fibers can produce quality products, but your individual needs will determine which fiber is best for you.
Nylon gives products strength and durability, but it usually costs more than polyesters. Nylon alone has no stain protection, so it must be added. Scotchguard, Stainmaster and Weardated are popular stain prevention systems applied to nylon carpets. These fibers usually have extended warranties and you will most likely pay a premium for them, but it is well worth the money.
PET is the best known polyester. This fiber is made from recycled plastic bottles and therefore has a good "green" story. Polyesters also have branded fiber names like Everstrand or Xylon, but these names are not as well known. Polyester is much more accepted now, and manufacturers don’t try to disguise the fiber type so much as in the past.
Wool is another quality carpet fiber. It is a product made from 6"-8" fibers which are spun together. There is some very cheap wool carpet available, but most wool carpet is very high-end. You may find very high-end wool carpet styles that are woven instead of being tufted. Most woven carpet is very nice, and very expensive. Wool carpet is not usually installed in average homes, but can offer you quality flooring if this is the right choice for you.
Polypropylene, also called olefin, is another popular carpet fiber. This is your cheapest fiber, but also the weakest. It has very poor memory, and can mat down easily. Olefin works fine when constructed properly. Olefin's advantage is that it is solution dyed. This means the color was added to the fiber while it was still a liquid. Solution dyed carpet fiber can be cleaned very aggressively without hurting the original color.
(Your salesperson is the best source for helping you decide which type of fiber would be the way to go.)
Think of a continuous fishing line (filament) vs. several 6" fibers twisted together (spun). Nylon and polyester carpets are available in spun or filament offerings. The filament or continuous filament will not shed or fuzz where the spun may have a little fuzzing. Spun styles are not inferior to filament, it is just a matter of the particular construction of a product. A spun fiber with a high twist level will have very little shedding or fuzzing. Both filament and spun should have lots of twist to be considered high-performance carpet.
 Texture: Creates a less formal look with the smooth, level finish of twisted yarns.
 Pattern: Go for dramatic, unique visuals with loops and cuts of varying heights.
 Loop: Create texture with uneven loops, or choose uncut level loops for high-traffic areas.
 Twist: Go for a soft, comfortable, casual look with this longer cut pile, also known as Frieze.
Frieze: A type of carpet where the pile, or fiber, is over twisted. The highly twisted tufts cause a curling effect and give an informal look. Friezes are usually very durable because of the tight twist and are an excellent choice for high-traffic areas. Other dyed yarn can be added to create a fleck look, which helps to hide dirt. Also different sized fibers or yarn may be used to add an interesting look to the carpet. This style has grown in popularity over the last several years.
Shag: Shag carpet is constructed of long, thick tufts of fiber or yarns. The yarn is not twisted near as much as the frieze, which gives a very different look. Shag carpet was popular back in the 60s and 70s, but has regained popularity in recent years. Today's shag carpet is more durable and user friendly than the 60s version. Shag carpet is great for the bedroom areas, and a short shag can look very nice in a casual room or cabin setting.
 Textured Plush: Most decoratively versatile cut-pile carpet. Textured surface helps reduce footprints and vacuum marks. Adds casual beauty to any room. Looks great between vacuuming. Preferred style for busy households. A great "whole-house" carpet.
 Saxony: Refined cut-pile surface. Luxuriously smooth, soft finish. Beautiful with traditional interiors. Adds distinctive elegance to any room. Ideal for living and dining rooms. Shows subtle highlights and accents.
 Berber Loop-Pile: A wool-like look and rugged loop surface. Natural, hand-crafted appearance creates a warm, personal atmosphere. Tight loop texture helps hide footprints and vacuum marks. Subtle patterns fit a variety of room styles. Ideal choice for contemporary to country furnishings.
 Berber Cut-Pile: A new berber look with all the wonderful color and interest of traditional loop berbers. The great plush "feel" of thick, cut pile carpet. Beautifully crafted and colored yarns add personality to any room. Very versatile decoratively, ideal for casual rooms, kids' rooms, etc. Subtle color flecks help hide soil that might appear between cleanings.
 Cut/Loop: Carved definition with cut-and-loop pile. Accent colors spice up floor surfaces. Multicolor effects hide soil and stains. Looks great between vacuuming. Choose from soft tonals to bolder color combinations.
 Commercial Loop: Versatile styles blend comfortably with any decor. Durable long-wearing surface pile engineered for high traffic areas. Intriguing color choices suitable for professional and practical installations. Textured surfaces provide subtle highlights.
Soft fiber is another choice you might want to consider. Soft yarns became popular several years ago and offer a new level of luxury and elegance to traditional carpet styles. Great for bedrooms, living areas, and anywhere extra comfort is desired.
Hopefully all this information will help you next carpet purchase, and not just add to the confusion. Just remember these main points:
#1: Purchase carpet manufactured by a top manufacturer, or one of their subsidiaries. First quality, with warranty, is best.
#2: Choose the best carpet for your needs; nylon, polyester, wool or olefin. Take careful consideration when choosing the type or style of carpet that best suits your needs – textured, berber, patterned, or frieze. Decide if fuzzing is an issue for you – filament or spun fibers.
#3: Dense construction carpet is the most durable. The higher the pile, the easier it will mat down. Longer and thicker carpet is not necessarily better.
#4: Be sure your installer is reputable and offers warranties on installation. Power stretching is extremely important to the life and wear of your carpet.
#5: Shop at and purchase from a quality floor covering store that offers discount prices, like Carpet Express in Dalton, Georgia. We can easily help you save 20-50% on your purchase of exactly the same carpet with all the warranties. Remember, it comes down to service, price, and installation. We feel we always win price and service, and if you are not in our installation area, we will gladly help you find a good installer.
Good Luck!
Back to Top
Be sure to take a look at our Carpet Specials
Back to Top |
