Nylon

Nylon is very soft, durable, and resistant to stains and abrasion. It is one of the most popular carpet fibers and many synthetic carpets are made of nylon. It has good resistance to wear, mold, mildew, and rot, and it is easy to dye, and it holds its color well. It is usually affordably priced—less expensive than wool but more expensive than other synthetics. These carpets, if cared for well, can last 12 to 15 years, making them one of the most durable of synthetic fibers.

Polypropylene (Olefin)

Polypropylene is another popular carpet fiber, used in commercial applications and growing numbers of residential settings, and is almost as soft as nylon. Also known as olefin, polypropylene fibers are similar to natural wool and are often used as a synthetic wool substitute. This fiber is highly stain-resistant but is prone to soiling and holding onto oils which in turn, collect dirt. It is, however, relatively easy to clean—bleach can even be used in some cases. Polypropylene is not as resilient as nylon, so is therefore commonly used for loop-style carpets, such as Berbers. The cost of polypropylene is slightly less than most nylon carpets but more than polyester and acrylic.

Polyester

Polyester is prized for its ability to hold vibrant, fade-resistant colors. Because it is man-made, the fiber is also more hypoallergenic than some others. One type of polyester carpet, known as polyester/PET, is made from recycled plastic bottles, making it eco-friendly. Its main drawback is that polyester is prone to flattening under weight, making it a bad choice for high-traffic areas. It can also be prone to oil stains, which are very hard to remove from polyester fiber.

Acrylic

Sometimes marketed as "synthetic wool" because it offers the feel and appearance of wool at a fraction of the price, acrylic has good resistance to static electricity, moisture, mildew, fading, and staining. But it is not a very durable material, and it doesn't hold up well in high-traffic areas. It is sometimes blended with wool. Acrylics can sometimes turn brown if stained with certain alkaline chemicals, such as those found in cleaning products.

Wool

Wool, a natural, luxurious, long-lasting material, is the softest carpet fiber you can find. Unfortunately, low-grade wool is more susceptible to staining, while high-grade wool is extremely expensive. Some manufacturers combine wool with synthetic fibers to create a carpet with the benefits of both. Wool/acrylic blends are especially common.

Pure wool carpet is made with no chemicals or additives, which makes it an excellent choice for those with allergies or sensitivities to chemicals. But as a natural material, wool can be prone to damage from mold and mildew, which feed on organic substances. Wool is therefore not a good choice for areas where high humidity and moisture are an issue.

Loop Pile

Also known as "uncut pile" or "Berber pile" (named for a particular type of knotted pile used in North Africa), loop pile leaves the entire yarn loop intact on the surface of the piece. These carpets tend to be highly durable and resistant to stains, making it easier to clean the carpet. These types of carpet are perfect for high-traffic commercial applications or high-traffic family areas, such as recreation rooms. Loop pile carpets also don't show indentations caused by footprints and vacuum marks.

Loop pile carpet comes in variations, such as a level loop, where the fiber loops are all the same length, and patterned loops, where the loops are different heights. It is also possible for a carpet to have cut-and-loop construction, where some fibers are cut and others are looped.

A particular type of loop-pile carpeting is the sisal carpet, in which loops of different colors, and sometimes different heights, are arranged in rows, to produce a textured, patterned surface.

Warning

The loops of uncut pile are not only less soft and padded than cut-pile fibers, but experts warn how they can also be a snagging hazard, particularly for pets or small children.

Cut Pile

Cut pile is a style of carpet where the exposed fibers are sheared off. This typically produces soft, inviting, easy-to-clean carpets. Different styles can be created by changing the angle of the shearing that slices the loop, or by using different treatments on the thread before and after it is inserted into the backing. Cut pile comes in different lengths and thicknesses, and these carpets work well when an entire house is carpeted, as it blends well from room to room.

On the downside, cut pile makes it easier to see footmarks and vacuum trails. This tendency can be reduced by the twist of the fibers. The individual fibers contain a twist that helps the carpet stand up against matting and crushing. The heavier the twist, the more resistant the carpet will be to matting. Heavy twist also helps create texture that hides wear and dirt.

Although much more popular than loop-pile carpet, cut-pile carpets are not as durable and will need to be replaced more often. They come in several variations, including shag carpet, a term that refers to a deep pile carpet featuring long-haired fibers that are soft to the touch. Shag carpet is now relatively rare, but other specialty cut-pile forms (described below) are quite popular and used for particular effects.

Saxony Cut

The term saxony pile refers to a particular type of cut-pile carpet with fibers that are very soft and dense. The relatively short fibers stand straight up and down to create a lush, fuzzy surface. The drawback to this style is that those strands are easily crushed down by feet and vacuum cleaners, leaving impressions on its surface. It is also susceptible to wear-and-tear, as well as staining, making saxony carpets a floor treatment best suited for use in low-traffic areas, such as formal living rooms or dens. They are also somewhat more expensive than traditional cut-pile carpets.

Textured Cut

The term textured-cut pile refers to a form of cut-pile carpet in which the fibers are of uneven lengths. They are also twisted into spiral strands using a special steam treatment that curls the individual strands so that they remain kinked. This style is also called "trackless" because it doesn't show footprints and other marks on its surface as do other cut piles, such as saxony. The spiral strands do not reflect light as much as straight strands, so it's not as noticeable when spirals are crushed down. This pile is suitable for mid- to high-level traffic areas.

Selecting the Right Carpet

How to Select the Right Carpet for Your Home

From the Store to Your Floor

You’ve decided that carpet is the best flooring choice for your home. Now what? There’s a lot to consider and many great options from which to choose. Today’s carpet offers a wide variety of choices in style, fiber composition, and color. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is here to help you find the perfect carpet for your needs.

Where to Start

Before purchasing carpet, answer the following questions:

• How is the room going to be used?
• Will it experience heavy or light foot traffic?
• Will the room be the center of activity for family and entertaining?
• Is there direct access to the room from outside, or is there distance between the carpeted area and the outdoors?
• Will the carpet receive direct sunlight?

Your answers will help narrow your carpet options and allow you to select the color, carpet construction, and cushion that best meets your needs. If you still have questions, ask your carpet dealer for guidance.

Here are a few additional factors that will influence your carpet selection:

• Will elderly individuals access the carpeted area?
• Do you have pets in the home?
• Will the carpet be used with heated flooring?
• Will you use the carpet indoors, outdoors, or in an area with both elements like a screened-in porch?

From the Store to Your Floor

You’ve decided that carpet is the best flooring choice for your home. Now what? There’s a lot to consider and many great options from which to choose. Today’s carpet offers a wide variety of choices in style, fiber composition, and color. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is here to help you find the perfect carpet for your needs.

Where to Start

Before purchasing carpet, answer the following questions:

• How is the room going to be used?
• Will it experience heavy or light foot traffic?
• Will the room be the center of activity for family and entertaining?
• Is there direct access to the room from outside, or is there distance between the carpeted area and the outdoors?
• Will the carpet receive direct sunlight?

Your answers will help narrow your carpet options and allow you to select the color, carpet construction, and cushion that best meets your needs. If you still have questions, ask your carpet dealer for guidance.

Here are a few additional factors that will influence your carpet selection:

• Will elderly individuals access the carpeted area?
• Do you have pets in the home?
• Will the carpet be used with heated flooring?
• Will you use the carpet indoors, outdoors, or in an area with both elements like a screened-in porch?

Color

A Rainbow of Choices

If a room is your interior design canvas, carpet is your palette. You may choose a neutral carpet to maintain focus on the other visual elements in the room. Alternatively, you may select a bold carpet that itself becomes a focal point of the room. Because carpet comes in nearly every color imaginable, the choice is yours.

The always-popular beige carpet makes a room look open and spacious. For a bolder statement, match your carpet to a common color in your furniture and draperies. Environmental colors, like blues, deep greens, rosy quartz, and stony neutrals are becoming increasingly popular. Warm colors turn up the heat in a room that lacks light, while cool greens and blues have a calming effect. Lighter colors make the room seem larger; darker colors provide an extra level of comfort.

There are also practical considerations in color selection. New stain and soil-resistant technology make today’s lighter color carpet easy to clean, bringing confidence to those who want light flooring. Medium and darker colors, tweeds, and textures are good at hiding soil and dirt in your home’s high-traffic areas.

One final consideration: the color of your carpet will look different under different lighting conditions. Make sure to bring carpet samples home to look at them under your home’s unique lighting conditions.

Learn more: 6 Reasons to Choose Carpet for Your Next Remodel Project

Color

A Rainbow of Choices

If a room is your interior design canvas, carpet is your palette. You may choose a neutral carpet to maintain focus on the other visual elements in the room. Alternatively, you may select a bold carpet that itself becomes a focal point of the room. Because carpet comes in nearly every color imaginable, the choice is yours.

The always-popular beige carpet makes a room look open and spacious. For a bolder statement, match your carpet to a common color in your furniture and draperies. Environmental colors, like blues, deep greens, rosy quartz, and stony neutrals are becoming increasingly popular. Warm colors turn up the heat in a room that lacks light, while cool greens and blues have a calming effect. Lighter colors make the room seem larger; darker colors provide an extra level of comfort.

There are also practical considerations in color selection. New stain and soil-resistant technology make today’s lighter color carpet easy to clean, bringing confidence to those who want light flooring. Medium and darker colors, tweeds, and textures are good at hiding soil and dirt in your home’s high-traffic areas.

One final consideration: the color of your carpet will look different under different lighting conditions. Make sure to bring carpet samples home to look at them under your home’s unique lighting conditions.

Learn more: 6 Reasons to Choose Carpet for Your Next Remodel Project

Carpet and Rug Construction

Types of Carpet

Carpet is not one-size-fits all! In addition to several construction techniques you can choose from, carpets are made using a variety of fibers. Understanding the strengths and differences of each will help you make the right choice for your lifestyle, home, and budget.

“To get the best performance and most enjoyment out of your carpet, it’s essential to select a carpet fiber that fits your needs.”

Carpet Construction Options

Cut Pile

One of the most popular constructions, cut pile achieves its durability through the type of fiber used, density of tufts, and the amount of twist in the yarn. Highly twisted yarn holds its shape longer, making it a smart choice for high-traffic areas.

• Textured Plush – Decorative and versatile textured surfaces help hide footprints and vacuum marks while adding casual beauty to any room. Textured plush carpet is ideal for busy, high-traffic households.
• Saxony – This refined surface works well in traditional living and dining rooms.
• Friezé – Casual, informal frieze forms a “curly” textured surface with its twisted yarns. The unique texture helps minimize footprints and vacuum marks.
• Plush (velvet) – Best for low traffic areas and formal rooms, plush carpet has a dense, luxurious feel, but shows footprints and vacuum marks easily.

Loop Pile

Same-height loops create a uniform look that holds up well in high-traffic areas. Many of today’s popular Berber styles are level-loop styles featuring flecks of a darker color on a lighter background.

Multi-level Loop Pile

This style usually includes two to three different loop heights to create pattern effects, while providing good durability and a more casual look.

Cut-loop Pile

This carpet style combines cut and looped yarns. It provides a variety of surface textures, including sculptured effects of squares, chevrons, and swirls. The multi-color attribute is effective at hiding soil and stains.

Understanding Carpet Fibers

To get the best performance and most enjoyment out of your carpet it’s essential to select a carpet fiber that fits your needs. The majority of the carpet produced in the United States contains one of five primary pile fibers: nylon, polyester, polypropylene (olefin), triexta, and wool. Synthetic fibers represent the vast majority of the fiber used to manufacture carpet in the U.S. Each fiber type offers somewhat different attributes of durability, abrasion resistance, texture retention, stain and soil resistance, colorfastness, ease of cleaning, and color clarity. Manufacturers, retailers, specifiers, and designers are valuable resources in helping you determine the most appropriate fiber and carpet construction for your needs.

Learn more: 3 Steps to Consider When Shopping for New Carpet

Selecting the Right Cushion

The cushion that sits between your baseboards and the visible carpet is an unseen but essential part of your carpet system experience. It’s well worth the time to ensure you’re picking the best option. A firm and resilient carpet cushion forms the foundation for your carpet. The right cushion acts as a shock absorber to increase comfort and extend the durability of your carpet. It also improves acoustics and provides increased insulation, making a room quieter and warmer.

When selecting cushion, check the carpet manufacturer’s requirements for thickness and density. A general rule of thumb for most residential carpet applications is to choose cushion no more than 7/16 inch thick and no less than 1/4 inch with 6 pounds per cubic feet density. If the carpet is a berber or a low-profile carpet, choose a cushion no more than 3/8 inch thick with 8 pounds density.

The type and thickness of cushion you need varies based on your traffic levels and patterns. For example, bedrooms, dens, lounge areas, and other rooms with light or moderate traffic can use thicker and softer cushion. Living rooms, family rooms, hallways, stairs, and other heavy-traffic areas require thinner, firmer cushion.

The wrong carpet cushion can negatively affect the carpet in several ways, including diminished appearance, wrinkling, buckling, separation of the carpet seams, and breakdown of the carpet structure itself. Improper cushion selection also may void warranties from the carpet manufacturer.

A Quick Cushion Guide

Residential cut pile, cut-loop, or high-level loop carpet requires a resilient, firm cushion with a thickness of 7/16 inch and no less than 1/4 inch with 6 pounds per cubic feet density. Types of cushion may be comprised of fiber, rubber, or various polyurethane foams including the very common bonded foam product often referred to as “rebond.”

Berber carpet, thinner loop, or cut pile carpet is made with large, wide loops, and functions best when supported by a stable, low-flexing, cushion. A thicker, softer cushion is not recommended. Cushion thickness should not exceed 3/8 inch for these products. Check with your carpet manufacturer to determine whether your carpet selection requires a specific cushion.

Carpet and Indoor Air Quality

“Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an important consideration, especially since we spend approximately 90 percent of our time indoors.”

The Green Label Plus Symbol

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an area of growing importance because of the amount of time we spend indoors as well as concerns about asthma, allergies, and VOCs. Green Label Plus is a voluntary, industry testing program for carpet, adhesive, and cushion products that establish the highest standard for indoor air quality ever set by the carpet industry.

The program sets a higher standard for IAQ and ensures that customers are purchasing the very lowest emitting products available.

The Green Label Plus program has such a positive impact on the indoor environment that it is recognized by third parties for its testing requirements. Additionally, the Green Label Plus program’s tough standards exceed the green building requirements dictated by California schools.

Read the Green Label Plus – Fact Sheet

If you are concerned about asthma, allergies, or VOCs, be sure to ask about Green Label Plus carpet, cushion, and adhesive options for your home.

“Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an important consideration, especially since we spend approximately 90 percent of our time indoors.”

The Green Label Plus Symbol

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an area of growing importance because of the amount of time we spend indoors as well as concerns about asthma, allergies, and VOCs. Green Label Plus is a voluntary, industry testing program for carpet, adhesive, and cushion products that establish the highest standard for indoor air quality (IAQ) ever set by the carpet industry.

The program sets a higher standard for IAQ and ensures that customers are purchasing the very lowest emitting products available.

The Green Label Plus program has such a positive impact on the indoor environment that it is recognized by third parties for its testing requirements. Additionally, the Green Label Plus program’s tough standards exceed the green building requirements dictated by California schools.

Read the Green Label Plus – Fact Sheet

If you are concerned about asthma, allergies, or VOCs, be sure to ask about Green Label Plus carpet, cushion, and adhesive options for your home.