Carpet Buying Guide

Step 1: Making a Checklist

Before purchasing your carpet, it is important to think about how the carpet will be used so you can determine which type of carpet will work best for you. The following checklist will help you identify your carpet needs:

1. Will it be in a formal or informal area?
2. How much traffic will move over the carpet?
3. Will the carpet be near an entrance where dirt can be tracked in?
4. How will the carpet fit your decor?
5. What kind of look or feel do you want for a room?
6. Is air quality a concern? Look for carpet that is approved by The Carpet and Rug Institute for indoor air quality.

Step 2: Understanding Carpet Fibers

Understanding the difference between carpet fibers will help you determine which type of carpet will work best for you based on your answers above.

There are four basic fibers used in most carpets today, each with their own strengths. They all make excellent carpets, but your ultimate choice will be determined by the characteristics that are most important to you.

Although some carpets are made of blends, most are made entirely of one of the following four fibers:

Nylon
Nylon is an excellent choice for all traffic areas because it is durable, static-free, stain-resistant and repels mildew. Nylon also keeps its fiber height - so it can withstand the weight of both people and furniture. Colours don't run, since dye is added during fiber production. About 90 % of all home carpeting is made from nylon.

Polypropylene (also called Olefin)
After nylon, Olefin is the next most common carpet type - and the most inexpensive fiber. Olefin is used in about 80 % of commercial carpeting. Olefin is strong, easy to clean and resists both moisture and mildew. For those reasons, it is commonly used both outdoors and indoors, as well as in artificial sports turf.

 Polyester
A great-looking carpet option, and less expensive than wool or nylon. Polyester offers exceptional softness, making it ideal for thick, cut pile styles. Polyester is commonly used in soft loop piles or Berber loops, making carpets that are luxurious and crush-resistant. Polyester is known for its vibrant colours and is naturally resistant to fading. It is easy to clean and resists water-based stains.

 Acrylic
Acrylic is a wool-like fiber that is often used in velvet and level-loop carpets. It offers the look and feel of wool at much less cost, and is moisture and mildew-resistant. Also a strong performer in resisting stains and crushing and fading due to sunlight. The one weak point for acrylics is that they don't stand up to heavy traffic and so are not suitable for all household areas.

 Wool
The royal family of carpets, wool offers superior performance when appearance is what matters. Soft fibers with a rich, luxurious feel that maintain their fiber height well. Although wool does not possess natural resistance to moisture or abrasion, it ages well and is easy to clean. Because it is the most expensive carpet fiber, wool is generally used only in luxury carpets and area rugs.

Fiber Performance in Carpet

	Nylon	Olefin	Polyester	Wool
Fiber Strength	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Good
Appearance Retention	Excellent	Fair	Fair	Excellent
Stain Resistant*	Very Good	Excellent	Very Good	Very Good
Soil Resistant**	Very Good	Fair	Good	Very Good
Cleaning	Very Good	Very Good	Good	Very Good
Available Colors	Excellent	Fair	Very Good	Fair
Pilling & Fuzzing	Excellent	Very Good	Fair	Fair
Resistance to Household Cleaners	Very Good	Excellent	Very Good	Good

Step 3: Understanding Carpet Types

Today's carpet market is dominated by two primary carpet types:

Loop Pile: Individual strands of yarn are pulled through the carpet backing twice to create a small loop.


Cut Pile: The loop is cut at the top, leaving tufts of yarn that stand straight up.


The look and feel of a carpet will depend on the type of fiber used, the density of the tufts, and the degree of twist in each strand.

Carpet manufacturers have developed many ingenious ways to combine those two methods to create new more attractive or more durable carpets. Here's a breakdown of the most common styles on the market today:

Cut Pile Carpets

Cut pile carpet is typically more durable than loop pile and can be sheared in different ways to create a variety of textures and looks.

Velvet or Plush - Smooth, soft and elegant. Carpet pile is cut several times to create a luxurious, velvety sheen that shows every footprint. Ideal for formal areas such as living rooms.

Saxony - Similar to velvets but not quite as smooth. Soft texture created by twisting fibers tightly, then straightening yarn with heat. Retains foot and vacuum marks.

 

 

Textured - Textured cut pile is the top-selling type of carpet on the market. Carpet pile is twisted and crimped to create a multi-coloured look that hides footprints but retains its soft feel. Ideal for casual living spaces with moderate to heavy traffic.

 

 

Shag - The retro look from the 1960s is back in both practical and psychedelic styles. Shag uses a longer tuft and a thicker yarn. Creates a casual atmosphere in a family room or child's bedroom.

 

 

Frieze - Tightly twisted with short, curly fibers that hide footprints. Can be used to create geometric or scroll patterns. Perfect for heavy traffic areas.

 

 

 

Loop Pile Carpets

Long lasting and easy to clean, level loop pile is increasingly popular. Carpets with short, densely-packed pile block out dirt and are well suited to high traffic areas. Longer loops can give carpet a luxurious appearance.

Berber - Berbers have thick yarns and are often distinguished by their 'flecked' appearance, which is excellent for hiding traffic marks. Extremely popular these days and available in a wide range of tones and patterns, in both wool and less costly synthetics.

Cable - Soft, heavy yarns with lots of twist and a casual look. Good for medium traffic areas, cable is synonymous with comfortable, casual living.

Sisal - Twisted synthetic yarns that imitate the hardy, woven grass feel of aboriginal crafts. Tighter than berbers, with a stiff feel, sisals are good for high traffic areas and come in solid and fleck tones.

Multi-Level Loop Pile Carpets

Two or three different loop heights are used throughout the carpet to create random patterns or geometric images. Attractive textures, and good for casual high traffic.

Cut and Loop Pile Carpets

Different types and cuts of pile are combined to allow for a variety of textures, sculptured effects and colour combinations. Good for hiding footprints.