Exploring the Variety of Carpet Types and Constructions

In Las Vegas, where temperatures can soar, carpets can provide insulation and help maintain a comfortable indoor environment.

However, with hundreds of carpet types on the market, all boasting top-of-the-line construction, how can you be sure that your selection will resist the heat, your home’s unique foot traffic, and provide the style and comfort you’re after?  We know a thing or two about carpets at Expert Flooring Solutions, a local Las Vegas flooring store. We’ve served Las Vegas since the late 1980s and have a company history dating back to the 1930s.

We will walk you through the different types of carpets and constructions available, helping you decide on your next flooring project.

1. Cut Pile Carpet:

Plush: Plush carpets offer a luxurious and velvety appearance. They are made from tightly twisted fibers, resulting in a smooth and uniform surface. Plush carpets are perfect for bedrooms and living rooms where comfort and aesthetics are a top priority.

Frieze: Frieze carpets feature long, twisted fibers that create a casual and contemporary appearance. Their durability and ability to hide footprints and vacuum marks make them ideal for high-traffic areas. This carpet type may be a good fit if you’re trying to achieve a modern aesthetic in a home with children and pets.

2. Loop Pile Carpet:

Berber: Berber carpets are known for their durability and resistance to stains. They have a looped pile construction that provides a textured and speckled appearance. Berber carpets are also a popular choice for homes with children or pets. This is a carpet we sell a lot of in our showroom. Homeowners love the detail and durability, and each manufacturer has their own version of this carpet in various shades, so you can count on finding what you’re looking for in berber carpets.

Level Loop: In level loop carpets, the loops are all the same height, creating a flat and even surface. You typically see this type of carpet in commercial settings like Drs’ office waiting rooms. They typically aren’t seen in residential spaces, though they are another carpet type that is highly durable.

3. Cut and Loop Pile Carpet:

Pattern: Patterned carpets combine cut and looped fibers to create intricate designs and patterns. They are excellent for adding visual interest to your space while maintaining durability. Typically, we will see homeowners install this carpet in bedrooms, sitting rooms, and formal dining rooms. Depending on the manufacturer, you can find great pattern carpets that are also exceptionally stain-resistant, Mohawk and Shaw are two worth looking into.

Textured: Textured carpets combine twisted and straight fibers, creating a two-tone appearance. They are versatile and can mask dirt and footprints effectively, making them suitable for busy households.

4. Carpet Fiber Types:

Nylon Fiber: The most commonly seen and discussed is nylon carpet. Its fibers are durable and stain-resistant.

Polyester Fiber: Polyester carpets are known for their softness and vibrant color options. They are also eco-friendly, as some are made from recycled materials.

Nylon and polyester fibers are often compared to each other as they are similar in lots of ways. Our Carpet Flooring: Nylon vs. Polyester blog compares the two in detail, their pros and cons, and includes helpful shopping information to guide you during your research phase.

Triexta Fiber: Triexta is a synthetic carpet fiber made from polytrimethylene terephthalate, which has some similarities to polyester. You’ll often mind it in flooring stores with the name SmartStrand. It has better stain resistance than nylon and is more durable than polyester. It may not be the best in each of those categories, but it brings both stain resistance and durability to the table in 1 fiber type.

Olefin (Polypropylene) Fiber: Olefin carpets are budget-friendly and highly resistant to moisture, making them suitable for basements or areas prone to spills.

Wool Fiber: Wool carpets offer unmatched luxury and natural resistance to stains and flames. While they are a premium option, their longevity and beauty are worth the investment.

5. Carpet Construction:

Tufted: Most carpets are tufted, making them by sewing the fibers into a backing material. Tufted carpets are versatile and available in various styles and price ranges.

Woven: Woven carpets are crafted on a loom, resulting in intricate patterns and exceptional durability. They are a high-end option often seen in luxury homes and hotels.

Needle-Punched: Needle-punched carpets are made by punching fibers through a backing material, creating a dense and durable surface. They are commonly used in commercial settings.

Takeaways

Hopefully, this short but handy guide has given you the basics of carpet types and construction. With this knowledge, you can enter each flooring showroom you visit with an understanding of what you want, what you dislike, and your criteria for resistance. Any flooring expert can guide you through options that match them and help you narrow your selections to the perfect carpet flooring. While it may be tempting to try online flooring visualizers provided through some big-box stores, we highly recommend collecting a few different samples and testing them out in your home so you can see and feel the differences in durability and design.

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