One of the many reasons why homeowners choose to install carpet over other flooring materials is because of its thick, durable fibers. Carpet is generally comfortable under your feet, and it enhances the ambiance by buffering sounds. With many different colors and styles of carpet to choose from, you can easily find a great option to install in your home. One of the qualities that directly impacts décor, the visibility of wear patterns and other factors is carpet texture.
Regardless of whether you prefer wool or synthetic carpet, you can select from numerous carpet textures that each have unique benefits. A closer look at the traits of different textures can help you to pick out the perfect flooring for your home.
Plush Cut Loop Pile Carpet Texture
One of the most common types of carpet texture in homes is a plush carpet. Plush carpet is a type of cut loop pile flooring. This style is usually monochromatic, but you may find a few options that have multiple colors blended together.
The carpet tufts have been cropped so that the pile is flat and even. While it is comfortable to walk across and has an appealing impact on style, plush carpet shows footprints and other imprints. However, because it is cropped short, it maintains its shape and may work well in high-traffic areas of the home.
A variation of cut loop pile carpet is velvet carpet, which differs slightly in pile density and the intensity of tuft twists.
Textured Carpet
A variation of plush carpet is textured carpet. It has a similar feel as plush carpet, but the tufts have uneven heights. This type of carpeting is more commonly available in multi-color styles. Because of these two qualities, the presence of footprints on the carpet is less visible. The piles may have an embedded pattern that is defined by height variations, or they may have a random look.
Frieze Carpet Texture
Frieze carpet is typically a higher-end material that is characterized by dense, soft twisted tufts or curled tufts. The exact carpet texture is defined by the tuft formation, but all frieze carpet styles are thick and plush. Frieze carpet is durable and does not quickly show signs of wear, and this is because the tufts may naturally lay in different directions. A variation of frieze carpet that has longer tufts is shag carpeting.
Saxony Carpet
Like frieze carpet, Saxony carpet has tall piles that are comprised of cut loops. The piles are closer together, so the twisted tufts stand straighter than tufts in frieze carpeting. Saxony carpet is plush and comfortable to walk on, but the tufts generally fall in one direction and show footprints easily. Because of this, Saxony carpet texture is preferable in formal areas with minimal foot traffic.
Berber Carpet
Another popular type of carpet is Berber. Berber is comprised of thicker strands of yarn than what many other types of carpeting are made out of. It has a level loop pile that makes it very durable. As a result, it is frequently used in high-traffic areas. It will not show footprints or other imprints.
Most Berber carpet is available in neutral shades that have one or several additional colors speckled into the design. This unique coloring conceals stains and hides dirt better than most monochromatic carpets. However, the loops can snag, so this carpet is not ideal for homes with pets. Berber carpet is comfortable to walk on, but it lacks the softness of plush, textured, frieze or Saxony carpets.
Cut and Loop Texture
This type of carpet is comprised of tufts or piles that are cut at varying heights. These are interspersed with loops to create a unique and appealing style. As you might imagine, the look of this type of carpeting can vary dramatically based on the variation of cut tufts versus loops. Some cut and loop carpet styles have a single color, and others feature two or more colors that may be mottled, speckled or patterned.
In addition, the embedded pattern of tufts and loops may have a clear pattern or maybe random. Cut and loop broadloom may be durable and will conceal wear, but the specific benefits and qualities depend on the material’s exact properties.
As you explore flooring options for your home, it is important to understand how carpet texture affects wear patterns, longevity and décor. Some types of carpet texture are generally more expensive than others, so your options may be limited by your budget in some cases. It may be wise to decide what type of carpet is most ideal for your specific needs, and you can then narrow down your search to materials with the desired texture.
