Type Of Carpeting Materials
Carpet
fiber is typically made from one of four fibers: nylon, olefin aka
polypropylene, polyester, and wool.
Carpeting Parts
Carpeting
has two layers face pile and backing.
The face pile or (yarn fibers) is the part of the carpet that we walk on
and see. Though the face pile is very
important so is the backing yet no one ever seems to consider it when most
people shop for new carpeting.
Carpet
face pile comes in two different types; cut and or loop. In a cut pile carpet individual yarns stand
up straight from the backing. This is a
common type of carpet as it is less expensive to produce a carpet this way. In
a loop pile carpet the yarn comes out of the backing, loops over, and they
returns to the backing. Loop pile
carpets will last longer than a cut pile carpet. Cut and loop carpets combine both pile types
to add surface texture and often are used to blend multiple yarn colors.
Weight and Wear Of Carpeting
The
heavier the carpet the better the carpet is at handling wear. When buying a
carpet you should consider the carpet’s density, pile height, and fiber type
that the carpet is made out of. Carpets
are sold according to weight and sometimes one style of carpet is offered in three
different weights in the same color.
This is so people that are on a budget can buy a heavier weight and put
it in the main traffic areas and the lower weight carpet can be used for the
less used bedrooms. Most builders grade carpet is 26 ounces which is the
minimum weight required for someone to get a FHA (Federal Housing Authority)
loan.
Carpeting companies and most floor salesman don’t know
carpeting weight can be mixed so they force customers into an all or nothing
position when a customer is buying carpet.
35 ounce carpet in four bedrooms would drastically reduce the price of a
carpeting project if a customer wanted 65 ounce carpet but could only afford to
do it in the main areas everyone sees. So before you buy carpeting check to see what
weights are available for the style and color you like. It’s pointless to put really nice plush
carpet in a child’s room just because you want it to match with the rest of the
house. Give the children the lesser
weight carpet let them destroy it and put the plush carpet in your master
bedroom and living room; thus everything matches, you get the plush carpet in
your room, and you save money.
Humidity
Carpet will absorb water and is prone to mildew. So don’t ever put it in a bathroom or area
close to water. This is not healthy! In
fact it becomes a nasty situation over time.
Carpeting
Styles
Carpet comes in many different styles. The main styles used for residential
carpeting are Tufted, Cut and Loop Piles, Saxony, Textured Saxony, Plush,
Frieze, and Level Loop Pile.
Tufted
Carpeting
This
type of carpet is produced on a tufting machine by using either a single
colored or sometimes a non-colored yarn. If non colored is being used, then the
carpet will be dyed or printed with a design as a separate process. Carpets
that are tufted can either be cut pile, loop pile, or a combination of both.
Machines can produce a lot more meters of carpet than weaving, and they are
usually at the lower end of the market.
Cut
and Loop Pile Carpeting
The
cut and loop pile combines both looped and cut fibers. They provide a variety
of surface textures for medium durability. Cut and loop carpets are available
in either solid or different colors. The several different layers in this
carpet can hide dirt and footprints in formal and informal areas.
Saxony
Carpeting
Saxony
consists of tightly twisted cut piles that are heat set straight. They consist
of two or more fibers that have been twisted together in a yarn, and they
provide a very soft texture for informal as well as formal areas. They will
show each and every footprint and even marks from vacuum cleaners.
Textured
Saxony Carpeting
Textured
carpet is the bestselling and it works well in informal areas due to the very
soft feel. They are tightly twisted and texture headset for medium durability.
They also offer a multi colored look that will hide tracks and footprints.
Plush
Carpeting
Both
plush and velvet are lightly twisted and offer a uniform color. They are very
soft and offer more level than textures. This type of carpet is ideal for
formal areas due to it's luxurious appearance.
Frieze
Carpeting
Frieze
is a highly twisted cut pile type of carpet that is suited for high traffic
areas. It has short fibers that will tend to curl in different directions at
the surface to hide footprints and vacuum marks.
Level
Loop Pile Carpeting
The
level loop pile is constructed by weaving even loops of yarn into carpet
backing at both ends. This type of carpet is durable as well as track
resistant, due to the strong loops. Higher loops in the carpet will create a
more luxurious look. They are also great because they will prevent dirt from
filtering on into the carpet.
At Texas Best Flooring Company our number one selling carpet
is Frieze carpeting that is a blend of two colors usually in earth tones.
Carpet
Grain
Carpet has a grain that makes its fibers lean in one
direction. If you run your hand over carpet in one direction the fibers will
lay down. If you run it back the fibers
will stand up. If you cut a piece of
carpet in half and turn it 180% and then put it up against the other piece it
looks like you have two different types of carpet. That’s why when you install carpet you have
to make sure the smaller pieces you are seaming together are consistent with
the grain of the carpet you are attaching it too. If you don’t seam a carpet with this in mind
you run the risk of seeing a huge noticeable seam running the length of your room.
Carpet
Names and Collections
Flooring companies and carpeting manufactures make up the
names and collections of their carpet so that one, a customer can differentiate
between the many different ones they offer and two, to confuse the customer so
they cannot shop around for a better price on that carpet. Some competing carpeting brands/distributors
make their carpet in the same carpet mill.
Or many flooring companies will have their own carpet made directly from
the mill at the same mill as 100 other flooring companies are using. So the
carpet is the same quality and in most cases the same thing. However, flooring companies try to get
customers to fall in love with one carpet and if the carpet name is made up and
no one else is using that name then the customers feels that that flooring
company is the only one who offers that carpet.
This is not true! Forget the name.
When comparing carpet prices shop by color, weight of pile, style, type
cut or loop, and backing used. This is
how you should compare pricing. Don’t
fall for the flooring companies made up naming system.
These are the seven basic carpeting industry features one
needs to know and be aware of when buying carpet. For carpet installation and padding see some
of our other Texas Best Flooring Company blogs at Texasbestflooringcompany.com
Thank You,
David Hill
Owner/
President
Texas Best
Flooring Company, Inc.
