The Best Carpet Choices

There is a lot more to picking out a carpet that you might realize, but carpet retailers are here to help. From the fiber to the cut, style and color there are an awful variety of carpets to choose from for almost every conceivable purpose. Carpeting is manufactured for indoor or outdoor use, there are even carpet squares that are affixed a lot like vinyl flooring tiles. New materials and techniques have sped up the process and made the carpets of today more durable to stand up to the wear and tear of the modern world. Carpet that is correctly chosen and installed will last around 20 years with proper care.

Different Types Of Fibers

Nearly every carpet today is made with synthetic fibers, nylon and olefin (polypropylene) being the two major fibers that a large majority of the carpets today are composed of. Olefin in particular makes an excellent choice for indoors or out. Natural fibers, such as wool, are more expensive and not nearly as easy to maintain as synthetics. Acrylic and polyester are also synthetics that are commonly used. Synthetics are often blended for added durability and ease of maintenance. A new trend in the carpeting industry is leasing towards Eco-friendship and much carpeting is manufactured from recycled materials.

The types of carpet that your carpet distributor can offer you is immense. Probably the most popular type is the cut pile, if you cut the looped strands of yarn that make up the carpet it creates a tufted strand that can be cut to any length depending on the customers' desires. As with any type of carpet durability is determined by the type of fiber used and how it is constructed. For example, if the tufts of yarn are given a couple extra twists, then its durability is increased.

Many Different Types And Styles

Loop pile carpeting is another type that is becoming increasingly popular in the carpet community. The loops that are affected in a cut pile carpet remain untouched to provide a level loop appearance. It is easy to maintain, but needs to be vacuumed often to prevent soil from working its way inside the loops. Patterned loop carpets are created when the loops are of varying height to give the appearance of a design, usually geometric in nature. While loop carpeting tend to be more durable than cut pile it is not as soft and luxurious.

Berber carpeting has made a comeback in recent years and is available major carpet outlets. Originating from Morocco, their compact loop construction makes them very durable for high traffic areas, but again, not as comfortable as cut piles, but it works very well in office and school settings where no one is likely to be running around barefoot anyway or very high traffic areas of the house. Hand woven Berber can still be found, but is very expensive and has been widely replaced by carpets created by mechanical means. Berber is stain resistant and reliably inexpensively when you consider the use that you will get out of them.

Loop And Cut Pile

Loop and cut pile carpet techniques are also combined to give a textured appearance throughout the carpet. The loops appear lighter in color than the cut pile tufts and can create some very interesting patterns. These carpets normally come in solid colors and provide above average performance. It also creates an informal and cozy look. Because of the unique patterns that they display, this type of carpet tends to hide dirt a bit better than others although that should not be a concern for those who care for their carpets properly.

One other type of carpet that holds a small niche in carpet market is the plush or velvet type. These carpets are made by twisting the tufts of carpet in the same direction just slightly. Their luxurious appearance makes them perfect for formal areas or up the risers of a sweeping staircase. They are harder to care for than other carpets nor do they provide the durability of other carpeting options as they do not hold up well under heavy traffic. They tend to show every footprint and vacuum trail although these marks are easily brushed out.

Do not Forget The Pad

Whiche carpet type and style you pick them all require an under pad that, when properly chosen, help reduce wear and tear and makes the carpet more comfortable. Be certain to put as much thought and research into the choice of the pad as you did for the carpet. Different carpets perform at their best with the proper choice of pad. Rebound carpet pads are the most popular, but others are made of foam while others still are waffle shaped to increase shock absorption.

The advent of synthetic materials has made carpet care much easier. Not only in durability, but in ease of cleaning. Substances such as olefin and nylon are more soil and stain resistant than natural fibers and make them much easier to care for on your own without having to call in a professional, although any carpet should be cleaned at least every six months as part of any carpet maintenance regimen. Vacuum all carpets regularly. Consult your local carpet professional if you have any questions about the proper way to care for the carpets in your home.

As much as choosing the proper carpeting for your needs is important, it is also important to choose the correct carpet distributor. Find one that is a warehouse of carpets, as well as all floor coverings that employs knowledgeable personnel and carries the supplies, hardware and amenities that you need from reputable companies in the industry. You normally pay less at established distributors due to their high volume of sales. Many provide installation services and free estimation, carpet can be installed directly by homeowners, but depending on the size of the job can be quite the undertaking. Whatever type of carpet you buy or hire someone to install it or lay it yourself a one stop shop for all your flooring needs is essential.