Choosing the right carpet for your home might look like a straightforward job, however, it isn’t that easy if quality and durability are something that matters to you. There are many types of carpets available on the market all differing in design, colour, appearance and thickness. Out of all these things, quality and thickness are among the most important assets you should look for in a carpet. When in the search for the right carpet, you should know that there are two types from which you can choose: cut pile and loop pile carpets.
The carpet pile is the surface layer of the carpet, so its appearance and feel are the first things that you’ll see and feel. The weaving process of the carpet involves looping the fibres back and forth through the backing, which means that the carpet’s pile is determined by whether these fibres are left or clipped into their looped form. Consequently, the carpet pile plays a huge role in the carpet’s overall durability, appearance and ease of maintenance.
What Are Cut Pile Carpets?
The one thing we know about carpets is that cut pile carpets are the most sought-after type of carpets of all time. The name of these carpets comes from the process when the fibre loops are cut which results in an upright pile where the ends of the carpets are exposed. That being said, the cut pile type of carpets are diverse, available in different lengths, thicknesses and colours. Usually, they are made of polyester and wool whereas the ones made of polyester are commonly used for daily use. That’s because polyester is easier to maintain and clean which isn’t the case with wool carpets.
The secret behind the cut pile carpet’s beauty lies in its twist which helps the fibres to stand up and resist matting and crushing. Additionally, walking on them is extremely easy and pleasant since they are soft. The only downside is that they are more difficult to clean since the looser fibres allow dirt and liquid to easily get to the carpet itself.
What Are Loop Pile Carpets?
Loop pile carpets aren’t sheared like cut piles and they are constructed in many different thicknesses and weights. They are usually made from nylon, wool and olefin meaning that just like cut pile carpets, the loop pile types are also durable. Usually, these carpets are mainly used for stairs and hallways and show no signs of tracks and steps. Unfortunately, the fibres of these carpets can get easily snugged and pulled loose by pet claws and sharp objects which reduces their lifespan significantly.
Carpet Fibre Types
Wool
If you’re looking for carpets made of quality and natural material then you should look for ones made of wool. Wool is a natural fibre that is extremely durable and amazingly comfortable. The main fact that wool is a natural fibre makes it an eco-friendly material and the perfect choice for those of you who suffer from allergies. Unfortunately, wool isn’t resistant to stains which means that cleaning stains can be quite difficult.
Nylon
Nylon is a synthetic material that is extremely durable, waterproof, versatile and resitant to moisture. In order to invest in a quality carpet, you have to choose between two types of nylon: 6.0 and 6.6 whereas the latter is considered a better choice.
Polyester
Polyester is another synthetic type of nylon that is less popular than nylon even though it almost has the same characteristics. Polyester is an extremely durable material that is also easy to clean. Even though it isn’t waterproof, still it can withstand a certain type of moisture.
Polypropylene
Also known as olefin, polypropylene is another popular synthetic type of material used for carpets. It’s water-resistant and soft which is the reason why a lot of people prefer it over nylon and polyester. Unfortunately, when compared to polyester and nylon, it seems that polypropylene wears quite easily which will lead to tears after a short period of time.
Triexta
Triexta is a quite new type of fibre that is mainly made of polytrimethylene terephthalate which has almost the same properties as polyester. It’s said that triexta has the same durability properties as nylon which makes it a good choice for carpets.
As you can see, the choice for cut pile and loop pile carpets is huge which allows you to make the right choice. The most important thing for you is to decide whether you need a cut pile or loop pile carpet for your needs and then make a decision on the fibre. Whatever the type of carpet you choose, make sure to pick it from a trusted store that specialises in selling quality carpets. Otherwise, you risk spending your money on something that won’t satisfy or exceed your expectations.
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