If you’re looking for a new carpet for your home, it can be a stressful experience. Chances are, there’s a lot that you aren’t aware of! We all know it can be a pain, but finding the right carpet can make or break your home.
Depending on where the carpet is going, there are plenty of things you need to take into consideration, too! The carpet you need for a bedroom will be different from one in a living room or hallway.
Because of this, it always helps to know what you’re looking at and how to tell the difference.
A great place to start is with carpet textures. Let’s dive into it.
Types Of Carpet Texture – What’s The Difference?
1. Natural Fibers
If you want an eco-friendly and sustainable option, look into natural fibers. These can be made from seagrass, wool, sisal, or jute.
You probably won’t be allergic to anything it’s made of, and they are not only sustainable, but also non-toxic and biodegradable.
These carpets can have loads of different textures and varieties, so they’re pretty versatile. However, they aren’t typically as soft as the carpets made from synthetic fibers.
Some are very durable but rough, so think carefully if you’re considering one of these!
Carpets made from these materials are also likely to stain easily and soak up liquid. In other words, they’re not great for homes with dogs, kids, or clumsy people.
2. Berber Loop Pile
Looking for a carpet that’s suitable for high traffic and very easy to clean? The Berber loop pile is the one for you! These are made from individual loops of different lengths.
The yarns are tufted together to create designs, which adds texture and density.
These carpets are very durable and low-profile. You don’t have to deal with vacuum marks or footprints, so it’s great for high traffic areas. It isn’t great for cats, though, as their claws can get stuck in the loops easily.
3. Texture Patterns
Want a styling floor? Textured patterns are an interesting option! These are made from combining cut piles and loops to create shapes.
They can be anything you want them to be, and are usually pretty easy to clean! There are plenty of options available for these.
4. Level Loop Pile
The level loop pile is a carpet that’s perfect for hallways and staircases because of their durability and texture. These carpets are made from closed loops instead of individual strands.
While they aren’t soft and luxurious, they are great for their durability. You won’t need to worry about these carpets fraying or being ruined any time soon!
Because of this, these should be placed in high-traffic areas. Hallways, staircases, and anywhere else that people and animals love to walk on.
Because of the texture, this carpet is also great for offices and wheels won’t struggle to slide across the top.
These carpets are smooth, with a uniform height. They’re easy to clean, and come in all kinds of solid, tweeds, and multi-tones. Very versatile.
5. Frieze
These are great for high-traffic areas due to their extreme durability. They will always have a consistent appearance, so they work well on staircases, in hallways, and other areas where you might wear shoes.
Appearance-wise, these carpets are short and dense, with a perm-like appearance. They come in loads of different colors, and are amazing at hiding dirt away.
6. Shag Carpet
Want something retro? Shag carpets come in so many styles, textures, and colors. They used to be popular way back in the day, but are suddenly making a comeback (and we don’t hate it).
The best thing you can do with these is carefully place them in specific spots to add contrast and be a conversation-starter.
Heights vary, and the yarn can be up to three inches tall! Just remember that the longer the yarn, the more difficult it is to clean it!
Vacuums will struggle with this. If you want a shaggy shag carpet, you’ll be looking for a longer yarn.
For these, placement in bedrooms is the best idea. There, shoes don’t tend to be worn, and it isn’t a high-traffic area.
Putting these anywhere else can prove a challenge for anyone involved in the cleaning process, and it won’t last very long.
7. Textured Plush
Here, durability goes hand-in-hand with comfort. These carpets have yarns that are cut to different lengths, and they are placed at different angles.
This adds more depth to the carpet, and also makes it thicker and more durable than plush carpets.
They aren’t smooth, but are still super soft and pleasant. These kinds of carpets come in all kinds of colors, and are durable to deal with decent foot traffic.
You can use them in most kinds of rooms, just keep them away from hallways and doors where they’ll get too dirty.
8. Plush Pile
Soft and luxurious, these are a kind of cut-pile carpet. In other words, single strands have been created by cutting the loops of yarn in a carpet.
These strands are all the same length, so a plush carpet is incredibly smooth and has a velvet-like finish.
They will make your floor feel super soft and comfortable, so they’re great in just about any formal room. Avoid putting these in places where you know it will get dirty, like in front of doors or hallways.
You will notice footprints and marks from vacuums on these, but they aren’t the most durable carpet options out there. There are plenty of color options to pick from, and they’re typically solid colors.
Final Thoughts
Carpets can be confusing! However, once you know what to look for, finding the perfect carpet for your home becomes easier than you might think.
As long as you know which ones will or won’t work for you, your home, and the placement, all that’s left is to pick a color!
In a world full of neutrals and beige, why not try picking a carpet full of color? Make a statement!
Hi, my name is Johnathon Gooder and I have been in the flooring industry for almost 20 years. I’ve done it all - lay flooring, painted carpets, repaired sections of an entire floor - you name it, I’ve probably had a hand at it.
I like to help wherever I can, which is why I’ve seen more than most. I could diagnose an issue with your carpet over the phone, within 30 seconds, with the amount of knowledge I have on all types of carpet repairs!
Anyway, I have made this website to share my tips and tricks on all things carpet related. From DIYs to maintenance, the best products to use to useful information on your chosen flooring, I’ll cover it all.
So, get ready to get to know your carpet on a more personal level, and let’s see if we can’t solve whatever problem you’re facing right now.
