Carpet Fibers and Styles

Fibers

Natural fibers can either originate from plants such as flax, cotton, jute, sea grass, or spun from the fleece of sheep, alpaca, llama and goats.

Wool carpet retains its shape even under heavy traffic. Wool naturally repels water and stains, resists fading, static, mildew and is fire resistant. It feels soft and has a rich appearance.

Sisal is a very strong, stable and it can be a little rough underfoot, but less so when combined with other fibers such as wool. Like most plant fibers, however, sisal absorbs moisture readily; therefore we recommend that these materials be used only indoors, in dry areas of a home or office.

Synthetic fibers such as nylon and polypropylene are synthesized from petroleum and natural gas.

Nylon is a fiber that is extremely strong, elastic, abrasion-resistant and lustrous. It will cost more than the other synthetics. This fiber is usually treated with a non-static, dirt repellant during manufacturing.

Polyester when used in thick, dense cut pile or textured styles, it's an excellent value. The industry is working toward recycling material into new carpet fiber. Currently, some manufacturers are using PET plastic beverage bottles to make polyester carpet fibers.

Polypropylene or Olefin
Its resistance to moisture characterizes polypropylene fiber. It is strong, abrasion-resistant, quick drying, colorfast, mildew-resistant, and soil and stain-resistant.

Cut pile: Loops are cut, leaving individual yarn tufts. Still one of today's most popular constructions, its durability is achieved with factors including the type of fiber, density of tufts, and the amount of twist in the yarn.

Plush / Velvet: Smooth, level surfaces; formal atmosphere, "velvet."

Saxony: Smooth, level finish, but pile yarns have more twist so that the yarn ends are visible and create a less formal look. Minimizes footprints.

Friezé: In this cut pile, the yarns are extremely twisted, forming a "curly" textured surface. This informal look also minimizes footprints and vacuum marks.


Berber Carpet: Berber carpets are usually made of earth toned or off-white heathered, flecked yarns in level and multi-level-loop constructions. Variations may use both loop and cut pile for surface interest. Often available in pastels and dark tones as well as naturals.

Level loop pile: Loops are the same height, creating an informal look. It generally lasts a long time in high-traffic areas.

Multi-level loop pile: Usually has two to three different loop heights to create pattern effects, providing good durability and a more casual look.

Cut and loop pile: Combination of cut and looped yarns. Provides variety of surface textures, including sculptured effects of squares, chevrons, swirls, etc.

Styles

Dhurrie: Dhurrie rugs and carpets are flat weave items traditional to India, made of cotton or silk. They are noted for soft colorations and varied patterns

Carpet squares: Loose laid or self-adhesive backed “tiles” of carpet.

Hooked rug: Rugs made by pulling yarns or fabric strips through a mesh backing. Many are designed in various colors to create a scene or design.

Indoor/Outdoor carpet: Carpet designed to be used outdoors.

Outdoor carpet: Carpet designed to be used outdoors on patios, walks and decks, made of polypropylene to withstand the weather and ultraviolet rays of the sun. Most outdoor carpet is designed for glue down installation.

Kilim or Kelim: A woven carpet or rug -- usually reversible -- without pile.

Printed carpet: Carpet having colored patterns applied by methods similar to printing flat textiles and paper.

Oriental rug: Hand-woven or hand knotted rugs native to the Middle or Far East. Available in many patterns and known for their colorations

Remnant: A short piece of carpet from a roll of carpet that usually measures less than mine feet long

Rag rug: A sturdy, colorful rug hand-woven from cotton scraps