Selecting Carpet Style

October 6, 2009
Christopher Musial

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Textured, level-loop, cut-and-loop, and plush (also known as saxonyl) are the predominant styles of carpeting. Any style can be used in high-traffic areas if the fiber is very durable and if the density  (number of tufts per square inch) is high.

Selecting Carpet Fiber

Acrylic

Characteristics: Acrylics are the nearest in appearance and feel to wool among man-made fibers, but at lesser cost. Commonly used in velvet and level-loop constructions.

Advantages/Disadvantages: Moderately durable, this synthetic resists water-soluble stains but not oily stains. It resists moisture and mildew and has a low static level. It is not very fire resistant.

Cotton

Characteristics: Used in the foundation of some woven carpets, and occasionally in some cheaper pile carpets, cotton is definitely a low-end choice.

Advantages/Disadvantages: Known for its soft ‘hand,’ or feel, this natural fiber tends to soil easily and to compress.

Nylon

Characteristics: Nylon represents more than 65 percent of the pile fibers currently used in the U.S. Also considered to be the strongest carpet fiber. It is available in a wide price range, reflecting the quality and density of the particular fiber.

Advantages/Disadvantages: Nylon is wear-resistant, resilient, and withstands heavy use. It resists water-soluble stains, mildew and shedding. It needs static control but generally good for all high-traffic areas.

Olefin

Characteristics: Made of polypropylene, this fiber is remarkably colorfast because color is integral to the fiber’s manufacture.

Advantages/Disadvantages: It resists soil, stains, moisture and mildew, very durable, making it good indoor/outdoor carpeting. It also resists static electricity.

Polyester

Characteristics: Noted for its lustrous, luxurious ‘hand’ in thick cut pile, polyester fiber is relatively inexpensive.

Advantages/Disadvantages: Moderately durable, it has excellent color clarity and is resistant to water-soluble stains.

Wool

Characteristics: Soft, with high bulk, and available in many colors, it is used either alone or in mixtures, especially with nylon.

Advantages/Disadvantages: Wool is noted for its performance and fire resistance but is somewhat more expensive than synthetics.