By Anna Chan
(Credits: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpet)
(Credits: https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/rooms-and-spaces/floors/your-guide-to-the-different-types-of-carpe)
A carpet is a textile floor covering typically consisting of an upper layer of pile attached to a backing. The pile was traditionally made from wool, but, since the 20th century, synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, nylon or polyester are often used, as these fibers are less expensive than wool. The pile usually consists of twisted tufts which are typically heat-treated to maintain their structure.
The term “carpet” is often used interchangeably with the term “rug”, although the term “carpet” can be applied to a floor covering that covers an entire house, whereas a “rug” is generally no bigger than a single room, and traditionally does not even span from one wall to another, and is typically not even attached as part of the floor.
Carpets are used for a variety of purposes, including insulating a person’s feet from a cold tile or concrete floor, making a room more comfortable as a place to sit on the floor (e.g., when playing with children or as a prayer rug), reducing sound from walking (particularly in apartment buildings) and adding decoration or colour to a room.
Carpets can be made in any colour by using differently dyed fibers. Carpets can have many different types of patterns and motifs used to decorate the surface. In the 2000s, carpets are used in industrial and commercial establishments such as retail stores and hotels and in private homes.
In the 2010s, a huge range of carpets and rugs are available at many price and quality levels, ranging from inexpensive, synthetic carpets that are mass-produced in factories and used in commercial buildings to costly hand-knotted wool rugs which are used in private homes of wealthy families.
“The term carpet comes from Old French carpite. One derivation of the term states that the French term came from the Old Italian carpita, from the verb “carpire” meaning to pluck.“
Carpets can be produced on a loom quite similar to woven fabric, made using needle felts, knotted by hand (in oriental rugs), made with their pile injected into a backing material (called tufting), flatwoven, made by hooking wool or cotton through the meshes of a sturdy fabric or embroidered.
Carpet is commonly made in widths of 12 feet (3.7 m) and 15 feet (4.6 m) in the USA, 4 m and 5 m in Europe. Since the 20th century, where necessary for wall-to-wall carpet, different widths of carpet can be seamed together with a seaming iron and seam tape (formerly it was sewn together) and fixed to a floor over a cushioned underlay (pad) using nails, tack strips (known in the UK as gripper rods), adhesives, or occasionally decorative metal stair rods. Wall-to-wall carpet is distinguished from rugs or mats, which are loose-laid floor coverings, as wall-to-wall carpet is fixed to the floor and covers a much larger area.
Carpet Styles
The two main types of carpet construction are defined by the way the carpet fibers are attached to their backing.
Loop pile means the fibers are bent into little loops. It’s a very durable, stain-resistant carpeting, but has a low profile and limited cushioning. Within the loop pile family are:
Level loop is also called Berber. This type of carpet features short loops that stand up well in high traffic areas.
Multi-level loops mean the tops of the loops vary in height to give a carpet a patterned texture.
Cut pile carpets cut the yarn tips so there aren’t any loops. Cut pile carpets tend to be denser and softer than loop pile. There are several types of cut pile:
Plush has an even, smooth texture with a formal appearance.
Saxony has a smooth finish, but the fibers are longer and twisted to give each fiber more body. It’s popular, but the longer fibers mean footprints linger and furniture creates dents.
Textured cut pile has fibers of uneven lengths to create a rougher surface texture.
Frieze carpet has long fibers and isn’t recommended for high traffic areas. In its most extreme form, it’s known as shag carpet.
Cable has long, thick fibers and is very comfortable underfoot.
Cut and loop is yet another type of carpet that has both cut pile and loop pile fibers and combines the best qualities of both. It’s good for hiding dirt and stains.
Types of Carpet Fibers
Carpet is made from various synthetic and natural fibers. Each has different characteristics.
Nylon is the most popular. It’s durable and resistant to wear. It’s not good at fighting stains, so some varieties include a stain-resistant treatment.
Olefin is resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew and makes a good carpet for basements and outdoors. It’s tougher than nylon, but not as comfortable to walk on.
Acrylic is often used as an inexpensive alternative to wool. It’s not widely available.
Wool is the premier carpeting and the only natural fiber made into carpets. It’s durable and stain-resistant, and it’s considered an ecofriendly floor covering.
Judging Quality
There’s no universal grading for carpet quality, so beware of manufacturer’s claims to offer one. Instead, consider weight and density.
Weight indicates how many fibers are present in the carpet. The more fibers, the heavier the weight and the higher the quality of the carpet.
Density shows how many fibers are in the pile and how closely packed the fibers are. The denser, the better. You can “field test” density with your fingers — if you can feel the carpet backing, the carpet won’t be very dense.
Popular Misnomers
Two types of area rugs that are commonly called “carpets” are Persian carpet and sisal carpet. Both have loop pile construction.
