Choosing the Right Carpet Texture

The two most popular choices of carpet today are the loop pile and cut pile (also known as plush). Loop pile has individual strands of yarn pulled through the backing of the carpet twice, which creates a small loop, whilst plush carpets are constructed of loops that have been sheared, which results in the strands standing upright.

Loop Pile

Loop pile construction carpets don't crush or matt, due to their high level loops. They are however harder underfoot, uncomfortable to sit on or lay down on, and they can easily become damaged by pets with long nails. They are well suited for high traffic areas, which include living rooms, walk ways and entrance areas. They aren't as popular with bedrooms, as their hard texture makes them a less than attractive option. Loop pile choices include Berber, cable or sisal.

Cut Pile

The cut pile type carpets are much softer to walk or lay on and they offer better sound and thermal insulation. They tend to crush and matt though when they are subjected to high levels of foot traffic.

The use of nylon fibre paired with a tight low pile construction will help to limit the amount of pile and matt crushing, due to the high resilient nature of the nylon fibre and the added support that is gained from tight construction.

Cut piles come in many styles, such as shag, twist, textured, Saxony and velvet. Twist pile is one of the most popular styles, and comes in wool and man made fibres. The yarn is given an extra turn or two, resulting in a rougher surface texture that is less prone to showing footmarks.

Saxony carpets have a shorter pile length than shag pile, and the tufts tend to be closer together. Saxony styles are available in several different fibres. Velvet cut pile carpet has a close construction with a short pile and smooth top. It is available mainly in tufted and Wilton constructions and in wool or synthetic fibres.