The types of carpet pile explained

When buying flooring it can be daunting to choose the right one for you, as there are so many different types of carpet pile.  Each one has its pros and cons, so we thought we’d cast our expert eye on the subject and explain which types of carpet pile might work for you.

We cover the following different carpet types:

• Tufted carpets
• Woven carpets
• Loop pile carpets
• Berber loop pile carpets
• Bonded carpets
• Cut pile carpets
• Frieze carpets
• Saxony pile carpets
• Twist pile carpets
• Tip sheared carpets
• Velvet pile
• Cut and loop pile
• Triexta carpets

Tufted vs woven carpet pile

In England we have a rich history of carpetmakers, starting in the 1700s in Wilton, Wiltshire.  The town’s first carpet weavers were smuggled out of France by the 9th Earl of Pembroke, and so began an industry which is still very much alive today.   Axminster, in Devon, started manufacturing its own woven carpets in the early 1800s, and both towns still produce some of the finest quality carpets, used mainly in prestigious installations.

Although Axminster and Wilton still use the traditional woven method, the vast majority of carpets produced today are tufted.  Modern manufacturing techniques mean that it takes just an hour to produce a roll of tufted carpet, whereas it takes around eight hours to create a roll of woven.

Tufted carpets can produce a variety of different types of carpet pile too, depending whether their looped yarn is cut into tufts or left as loops.

Loop pile carpet

Loop pile carpets can have a level loop or multi-level loop finish.

They are traditionally made with 100% wool but can also be found as an 80% mix with nylon or polypropylene. A loop pile is extremely hardwearing and forgiving in heavy traffic areas. They are not the most appropriate if you have a cat though, as their claws can get stuck in the carpet.

Berber loop pile carpet

Berber carpet is a tufted loop pile and named after the tribes in Africa and Asia who first devised the technique of threading yarn though the backing fabric to create small loops.  These days, the loops are made from either wool, nylon, polypropylene or a blended mixture to produce either a level or multi-level finish. 

The lower the loop, the more hardwearing the carpet, and Berber carpet pile is extremely hardwearing.  A multi-loop can hide stains more than a level loop, so is ideal for busy family rooms.

A wool Berber is really soft and luxurious, but also more expensive than the polypropylene or nylon versions.   Polypropylene is also bleach cleanable, which is so useful if you have children or pets!

Bonded types of carpet pile

Bonded carpets are generally used for commercial carpet tiles.  The yarn is fired through the material into an adhesive layer – it doesn’t penetrate the backing material at all.   The adhesive keeps the pile in position, and the resulting carpet is extremely durable.  It is usually used in settings such as schools, offices and other heavy-traffic areas.

Cut pile carpets

There are a few different types of cut pile carpets, each of which has a slightly different finish.  They range from the hardwearing frieze to the elegant Saxony, the popular twist to the luxurious velvet.  There is something to fit every price bracket and room type, and if you’re not sure which one would work best for you then you can simply contact Craig Sargeant for advice.

Frieze pile carpet

Frieze is a twist pile carpet which has a thick and curly pile, and is extremely hardwearing.  Frieze carpets are great at hiding dirt, stains and seams, and they minimise footprints and hoovering marks.

Frieze carpets are super-comfortable because of their loose construction, they are very soft to walk on.  They are great for insulation too, as it is a dense carpet which works for sound reduction as well as saving on your heating bills. They are sometimes more difficult to clean compared with other carpet pile types because their long fibres make it tricky to get to the stain.

Saxony pile carpets

Saxony is a type of carpet pile which is formed of straight fibres which are even in length.  Although it is a classic, elegant carpet, the downside is that the Saxony will show footprints and vacuum marks which makes them ideal for an occasional room.

On the plus side, a Saxony carpet is durable and classic, so it will never go out of fashion.

Twist pile carpets

Twist pile carpets are one of the most popular types that we sell, and are extremely versatile. 

They look great but they are practical too – a perfect, durable choice for a family room.  A twist pile carpet type will equally work well in high traffic areas such as hallways, living rooms and stairs.

The yarn is tightly twisted, and heat treated to maintain its twist, giving a textured finish which works really well with plain colours.  Twist pile carpet types are super-easy to maintain and will stay looking good for years if you look after them.

Tip sheared carpet pile

Tip sheared is made when some loops are tufted higher than others. The result is a textured, patterned carpet which is forgiving for footprints and dirt as they are hidden in the pile.

The shearing process partially cuts the high loop tufts, leaving the lower ones uncut. When the carpet is sheared, the higher loop tufts are partly cut, but the lowers ones are not, making a pattern where the cut tufts have a darker appearance than the lower ones. The different levels in this type of carpet can hide dirt and footprints.

Random sheared carpet pile

Random sheared carpet pile is very similar to tip sheared carpet, except that the loops are sheared randomly.

The result is a cut/uncut texture, which looks similar to a cut and loop style.

Velvet pile carpets

Velvet pile carpet types are also known as ‘velour’ or ‘plush’, and will give you a luxury feel which is super-comfortable underfoot.  The surface pile is level, between 5mm and 10mm long, which is then sheared to give it a smooth finish.  

Velvet carpets can be made of natural or manmade fibres, and whereas they would traditionally be made from the best grade sheep’s wool, nowadays they are manufactured using synthetic materials. 

Velvet carpets are ideal for a room with light traffic such as a guest bedroom or formal lounge.

Cut and loop carpet type

A cut and loop carpet type is a combination of the two finishes, where some of the pile is cut and some left as a loop.  This makes interesting patterns and so these carpets come in a diverse range of colours and designs.  Because the surface is multi-level it doesn’t show up footprints, and stains can be hidden, so it is ideal for high traffic areas of the home. 

Shag pile carpet type

Shag pile carpets were the height of luxury in the 1960s and 1970s, with their soft, sumptuous feel underfoot.   They are made from long woven fibres, with a pile up to 50mm in length and a casual, loose texture. 

Although a shag pile carpet looks great on the floor, it isn’t as durable as some other carpet pile types, and can flatten underfoot.  It needs more maintenance than other carpets and you should consider your door height as the pile is higher than many others.  However, there’s no doubt these are lovely soft carpets, which look opulent, and provide great insulation benefits in the winter.

Woven carpet pile types

Woven carpet is made using a traditional loom method with a wool yarn being interlaced through backing material and then locking the tufts in place using a thin layer of latex. The result is an extremely high quality, hardwearing carpet, which is said to last three times longer than a tufted one.  They can display intricate patterns and are extremely comfortable underfoot.

There are three ways of manufacturing woven carpet pile types – Axminster, Wilton and flat weave.

Axminster carpet

The Axminster method involves inserting the pile of the carpet into the backing as it is woven.  U-shaped tufts are created by cutting it to length, with a result which allows for intricate designs, creating patterns with a wide range of colours.  Axminster carpets combine high performance with a luxury feel.

Wilton carpet

The Wilton method differs from Axminster in that a single continuous fibre is woven all the way through the carpet.  It can then be sheared to create a range of textured effects using cuts and loops to produce a high quality, hardwearing carpet.

Flat weave carpet

Flat weave carpets feature a flatter pile, being manufactured using the Wilton method but as a loop pile which is woven across a wider area.  The effect is flatter and more textured.  Flat weave carpets are perfect for heavy traffic areas in homes and offices, and their striking patterns make them ideal for stair runners.

And finally…  Triexta!

One of the newest carpet types on the market is the eco-friendly Triexta (or Smartstrand) range.  It was the first bio-based carpet and is partly composed of renewable plant-based materials which offer superb stain resistance, soil and spill protection.  It is great value for money, is water, mould and mildew resistant and extremely soft underfoot.   You can read more about this and our other eco-friendly flooring options here.

Not sure which type of carpet pile you need?

Craig Sargeant of Sargeant Carpets is always available to advise on which type of carpet pile would work best for your home.  You can text Craig on 07789 172303, email sales@sargeantcarpets.co.uk, fill in the form at the bottom of this page or visit our homepage and use the WhatsApp service using the green link at the bottom.

Other carpet guides

We have written a range of articles to help you choose the right flooring for your home, including:

So you're interested in installing new carpet in your home but aren't sure where to begin? Well, you're in the right place. Let us help guide you through the various types of carpet flooring with our style guide below. We invite you to learn more about which type of carpet flooring might be best for your home before you browse our incredible selection. Learn more below.

Nylon is one of the most popular types of carpet on the market today. Known for its extreme durability, nylon is a carpet option that can take on wear and tear over time. More than just a durable carpet option, nylon is also quite resilient. With regular care & maintenance, your nylon carpet will continue to look great and function well over time. Another significant advantage of nylon carpet flooring is its advanced stain resistance. The overall absorbancy of nylon means that when spills occur, the mess typically will not sink deep into the carpet's fibers. Like any flooring option, nylon carpet comes in a wide range of prices, but even high-end nylon will be more affordable than many other flooring options. Give nylon carpet some serious thought when exploring flooring options for your home. 

Berber carpet hides traffic patterns well but be advised that this style may make seams more apparent. It is a great all-purpose carpet that can be a long-lasting performer. This type of carpeting also offers durability, spill resistance, and versatility for almost any room in your home. 

Berber carpeting (also known as looped carpeting) is known for its durability, spill resistance, and versatility. Looped carpets can stand up to heavy foot traffic, making them an ideal option for rooms and areas in your home that see lots of activity. Because the fibers are looped, they are also trackless so that vacuuming lines won't be visible. 

Each style has its own characteristics and performance capabilities. You should carefully consider each style’s features, qualities, and conditions while making your buying decisions.

Cut and Loop carpet is often referred to as patterned carpet. Cut and loop is a combination of cut and looped yarn that creates pattern effects by the variation in surface textures. These carpets are low profile and thus perform well.

This style is used in casual and traditional rooms and available in many patterns including fun geometrics and formal botanicals. The distinctive carved appearance and multiple colors do a great job of hiding stains and standing up to traffic.

Patterned carpeting is still in style and trendy today. Its in-demand features can add warmth and interest to a variety of different rooms in your home or business. This type of carpet is also a great option for stair runners, entranceways, and sophisticated living room designs. 

Things to keep in mind with patterned carpeting:

• Large areas of patterned carpet can close in a room.
• Stripe patterns can make a room seem longer by drawing the eye in the directions of the stripe.
• Sections of patterned carpeting can define different areas in a home or office.
• It can camouflage natural wear and tear on your carpet. 

The textured surface of this style of carpet does a great job of hiding footprints and vacuum marks. It creates a more casual atmosphere in the room. Textured carpets are great for all areas in the home from bedrooms to living rooms to dining rooms. They are ideal for today's active families and are available in a broad range of prices.

This type of carpeting hides vacuuming tracks and foot traffic well. Textured carpeting offers a classic style that works with most design styles and tastes. 

Each caret style has its own characteristics and performance capabilities. You should carefully consider each style’s features, qualities, and conditions while making your buying decisions.