Carpet is a popular choice of flooring because it is soft, pleasant to the touch and reduces noise. It makes an excellent choice for bedrooms because there is nothing like waking up and putting your feet down to a warm, plushy floor rather than a cold, hard surface. Carpet is also an excellent choice for family rooms, so that crawling babies and children can enjoy a cushioned play area.

 

There are many different styles of wall-to-wall carpeting available to today’s consumer. Here are some of the most popular choices:

  •  Saxony – The most basic of cut piles, the fibers are all trimmed evenly across the surface. This type of carpet tends to show footprints and vacuum lines very easily. It is recommended for low-traffic areas since it shows wear more quickly than other styles.
  • Carved Saxony – This carpet pile will have a high cut, then a low cut, alternating across the surface to create designs.
  • Plush- Just as the name suggests, plush carpet has a velvety appearance. This style of carpet will lend formality to any room. The carpet fibers are densely woven and are subject to light reflection, thus allowing track marks and foot-prints to reveal themselves.
  • Textured – This is similar to Saxony, except that the fibers are specially steamed so the yarn stays curled permanently. The benefit of this process is that textured carpet does not reflect as much light. It does not show footprints or sweep lines as much as the Saxony or Plush types.
  • Frieze – What sets Frieze apart from textured carpet is that it uses a higher and tighter twist of yarn. This type of carpet tends to cost more due the expense of production, but it is considered to be a high end product that also boasts a foot-print free surface.
  • Shag – Although it may bring flashbacks to the 70’s, Shag carpet still comes and goes out of style. It is a deep pile carpet, with long fibers, giving it a shaggy-haired look.
  • Cable – Not to be mistaken for Shag, Cable carpet is made from thicker yarns that are longer than a regular cut pile. This type of carpet is considered luxurious and should be saved for  lightly traveled areas, because it can take on a crushed appearance with too much wear.
  •  Berber – The alternative to cut pile is loop pile. When carpet is woven, the fiber is looped into the backing and with Berber, the loop never gets cut. It has a more textured and consistent appearance than cut pile. It is generally recommended for high-traffic areas.
  •   Cut and Loop – This style of carpet uses cut and loop pile together to create patterns, hiding foot traffic lines very well.

Cut pile is the most common type of carpet used in residential dwellings. Berber is normally used in commercial settings because it very durable and works well for heavily traveled spaces. Carpet provides comfort and beauty to any home. When choosing a style of carpet, take into consideration the amount of traffic and the purpose of the room. Also consider the lighting and whether or not you want a very reflective surface.