Types of Carpet: Fiber and Style Guide

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Few home features say "homey comfort" more than a good-quality carpet. Walking barefoot across cold stone tiles or hard wooden planks just can't compare to the feel of the soft, cushiony fibers of various types of carpet underfoot. Comfort preferences aside, a carpet's padded surface is also a practical flooring option, offering unbeatable thermal and acoustic insulation. Carpeting is also slip-resistant and provides a soft landing for accidental falls.

What's more, with an extensive range of colors, textures, styles, and new trends in carpeting, there's a carpet type to suit every decor. Gone are the days when carpets were merely a boring beige means to cover a floor. Now, with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to decide where to start when carpet shopping. So, here's what you need to know about carpeting and carpet types that can add a welcoming sense of warmth and style to your home.

Must-Know Carpet Terms

Here are some key vocabulary terms to know when learning about different types of carpets.

• Fiber: The principal material of a carpet that is seen and felt on the visible surface.
• Pile: The surface of the carpet, made up of looped carpet fibers.
• Weight: The number of fibers in a carpet. The more fibers, the heavier the weight and the better the carpet quality.
• Density: The number of fibers in a pile. The more fibers, the denser the pile, and the higher the carpet quality.
• Height: The length of the wear layer of the carpet, measured from the top of the pile to the top of the backing.
• Durability: The carpet's lifespan.
• Resistance: A fiber's ability to withstand rubbing, abrasion, and everyday usage.
• Resilience: A carpet's ability to recover from crushing.

Keep these terms in mind when shopping and choosing a carpet. The most important factors to consider are the pile and type of fiber, as these will determine how the carpet looks and feels—not to mention how it will stand the test of time.

Understanding Carpet Piles

There are two main types of carpet piles: loop pile and cut pile. The difference between them is how the loops of fiber that make up the pile are treated once the yarns are passed through the carpet backing during manufacturing.

Loop Pile Carpets

Commonly referred to as uncut pile or Berber pile, loop pile carpets leave the yarn loop intact. They are available as level loops, where the fiber loops are the same height and create a level surface, or multilevel loops, where the loops vary in height for a textured, patterned effect. A popular example of a multilevel loop pile is sisal carpet, featuring loops of different colors and heights arranged in rows to create a subtle pattern and textured look. Loop pile carpet is perfect for high-traffic spaces, as it is durable and resilient.

Cut Pile Carpets

As the name implies, cut pile carpets have the tops of the yarn loops cut off. They are sheared at different lengths and angles for different types of carpet, resulting in a wide variety of styles, heights, and thicknesses. Cut pile carpets are the most popular carpet pile type, even though they are less durable than loop pile and more prone to crushing.

Saxony Cut: Saxony is a type of carpet consisting of densely woven, twisted carpet fibers that are closely packed and stand up straight. The fibers are evenly cut, creating a uniform look and smooth, velvety surface. However, they have little resilience and don't bounce back quickly, making Saxony suitable for low-traffic areas.

Plush Cut: Also referred to as velvet-cut, plush carpet consists of short, densely packed fibers with a smooth, even surface that is soft to the touch and has a formal and luxurious look. However, it is not very durable or resistant, making it a better option for elegant and formal low-traffic areas, like a guest bedroom or dining room.

Texture Cut: This informal type of carpet consists of uneven, twisted, and kinked fibers that create a fuller textured surface. This pile type is durable and has the added benefit of concealing dirt and footprints, making it a great option for a busy household and mid- to high-traffic areas, like a hallway or playroom.

Frieze Cut: Frieze carpet is distinguished by its long fibers that are twisted together and kinked, resulting in a curly, knobby-looking surface often compared to a shag carpet. The long strands create an informal yet inviting look and offer great insulating properties. They are also highly durable and stain-resistant, making them suitable for high-traffic areas. Bear in mind, however, that frieze carpets are not the easiest carpets to clean.

Sculpted Cut: Often referred to as cut-and-loop, or patterned carpet, sculpted carpet combines the best of both worlds with looped and cut-pile fibers. They can either be level or multilevel and are sometimes arranged in geometric patterns, creating a textured and layered-looking carpet design. This type of carpet tends to show wear quickly, so it is best suited to low- to moderate-traffic areas.

Different Types of Carpet Fibers

Carpet fibers can be divided into two broad categories: natural and synthetic.

Natural Fiber Carpets

Natural fibers have been used to make floor coverings for centuries. They're a reliable and trusted option for providing warmth and comfort underfoot.

Wool Carpets: Today, wool is not the only natural fiber used to make carpets, but it is the most popular—mostly thanks to its durability and luxuriously soft feel underfoot. It is naturally flame-, abrasion-, and stain-resistant, but alkaline detergents may damage the fibers. Wool is also a sustainable resource, making it an excellent option for an eco-friendly household.

Keep wool carpets away from high-humidity areas, as they are prone to damage from mold and mildew, and watch out for moths, which like to feast on natural fibers. High-grade, pure woolen carpets are expensive, so consider a wool and synthetic blend for a more affordable option with many of the same benefits.

Other Natural Carpets: Although other natural fibers like cotton, silk, bamboo, jute, sisal, hemp, seagrass, and coir are more commonly used in area rugs, they are occasionally used to make carpets. As demand grows for affordable, sustainable alternatives to wool and synthetic carpets, non-wool natural fiber carpets are becoming increasingly popular. However, most often, these natural fibers are combined with wool or synthetic materials to offer softer textures, increased durability, and improved mold resistance.

Synthetic Fiber Carpets

The majority of carpets today are fabricated with synthetic fibers. Unlike natural fibers, synthetic materials are hypoallergenic, moth-resistant, and have reliable durability. Synthetic fiber carpets are also more consistent across production and supply because they are easily reproduced and are not affected by shortages due to climate conditions or disease.

Nylon Carpets: Nylon is the most popular type of carpet fiber on the market today. It's resilient, versatile, and considered the most durable synthetic carpet, lasting up to 15 years when well cared for. The fiber has high resistance to everyday wear and moisture, as well as excellent abrasion and crush resistance. Nylon also has reliable yarn memory to hold a twist, and good stain resistance when treated with a stain repellant. So, the strong, resilient fiber is the perfect choice for heavy-traffic areas and commercial facilities.

Plus, thanks to the fiber's excellent ability to hold color, nylon carpets are available in colors and styles to suit almost any decor. While nylon is less expensive than wool, it is often pricier than other synthetic carpets.

Olefin Carpets: Olefin (polypropylene) carpets are popular for their natural stain and moisture resistance. They are the go-to carpet for interior spaces subject to potential water damage, like bathrooms and basements or even outdoor areas. Though olefin is one of the most resistant synthetics, it is the least resilient and quickly shows signs of wear, so it is best installed in low-traffic areas. As the fiber is solution-dyed, it is the most colorfast fiber, so no amount of sunlight, bleach, or harsh chemicals will alter the carpet's color. Also, thanks to its low production costs, olefin is a budget-friendly type of carpet.

Polyester Carpets: Polyester is known for its ability to take on dyes with luxurious, vibrant, and fade-resistant colors. It's a hydrophobic fiber that naturally repels liquid, giving it notable stain-resistant qualities and making it a good pick for environments prone to moisture, mildew, and mold. That said, since polyester has low resilience, it quickly shows signs of wear in high-traffic areas. Polyester carpets should also be treated, as the fibers are not resistant to oil stains, which are hard to remove.

On the plus side, polyester carpet is one of the most economical options, making it a great type of carpet for anyone on a budget or looking for temporary flooring for a rental property. PET (polyethylene terephthalate), for example, is a common polyester carpet made from recycled plastic bottles, making it eco-friendly and recyclable.

When deciding on a type of carpet, keep in mind your habits and the room you will use it in. If you need a carpet that stands up to a lot of foot traffic, consider something durable like high-density wool or nylon. If you have pets or children (or are prone to spilling), look for something stain-resistant or a fiber that can easily be treated. Read the labels for clues about the carpet's resilience, density, fiber, and pile. These are the factors that determine how long your carpet will last and whether it is ultimately worth the investment.