How-To

-Ideas for Great Floors, Sunset

Carpeting is available in a greater variety of patterns, color combinations, and constructions than ever before. In addition to providing design, carpeting enhances your home by absorbing sound, insulating against cold, cushioning your feet, and helping to prevent slips and falls. Carpets come either as broadloom for wall-to-wall applications or prebound as area rugs.

When shopping for carpet, look for performance rating guidelines. These ratings are based on traffic performance. Typically, they are based on a 5-point scale, with 4 or 5 being best for the highest-traffic areas.

Fiber
Fiber is carpet's basic ingredient. There are five basic types of carpet pile fibers: nylon, olefin, polyester, acrylic, and wool. Plant fibers such as sisal offer another choice. Fibers can be blended to combine the best characteristics of each in one carpet. For instance, sisal can be blended with wool for optimal feel and wear resistance. Most carpeting in the United States is made of nylon, and for good reason: It is wear resistant and resilient, withstands the weight and movement of furniture, and comes in many colors. It also resists soils and stains.

Olefin (or polypropylene) is also a strong fiber. It, too, resists wear and stains and static electricity. It holds up well against moisture, which makes it suitable for indoor/outdoor rooms.

Polyester maintains its color and looks the most lush when used in thick, cut-pile textures. Polyester is also easy to clean and resistant to water-soluble stains.

Acrylic looks like wool and costs much less. It has a low static level and is moisture and mildew resistant.

Wool has been touted through the ages for its overall performance. It is soft, has high bulk, and comes in many colors. However, it can be more expensive than synthetic fibers.

Pile
The construction of a carpet's pile gives it a distinct texture and pattern. There are three main construction techniques: level loop, multilevel loop, and cut pile. Sometimes, in much the same way fibers are blended in a carpet, these techniques are combined to add even more dimension.

Level-loop pile features loops at the same height. It is informal and includes the popular Berber carpets. It doesn't show footprints, so it works in high-traffic areas. In general, the tighter the loop, the more durable the carpet.

Multilevel-loop pile, with loop heights at two or three different levels, creates interesting patterns. It, too, is durable and has a casual look.

Cut-pile carpet means that the loops are cut, creating tufts of yarn. It has a more formal look. The type of fiber, density of tufts, and amount of twist in the yarn all play a role in the durability of a cut-pile carpet.