What types of carpet are there?
There are two main kinds of carpet in the UK, these are tufted and woven.
Tufted carpets
The majority of carpets purchased in the UK are tufted. A tufted carpet is where the fibre is punched by needles into a pre-made backing fabric, and the simpler manufacturing process makes it cheaper. Tufted comes in all fabrics and finishes, so it’s a great option.
Tufted pile options
There are 5 popular choices of pile to choose from for tufted carpets in the UK. Your choice of pile should be influenced by the room you are carpeting. Here are the main choices:
1. Twist pile
This is a cut pile carpet made from twisting the yarn and is the most popular choice of tufted carpet in the UK. It is a hard-wearing carpet and is a good option if you want the same carpet throughout your living space as it will take a lot of wear. Twist carpet normally comes in one block colour or with flecks throughout. It is coarser underfoot, so you may want to opt for something with a more luxurious feel in your bedroom.
2. Velvet pile
As the name suggests, this is the most luxurious and soft underfoot. This is a softer cut pile than the twist pile and is therefore best suited to bedrooms and formal living spaces, however you can use this throughout your home.
3. Loop pile
The loop carpet is made by a continuous uncut loop of yarn and is a great choice throughout your home as it holds its appearance well and it will bounce back easily. It doesn’t feel as luxurious underfoot but it will look good for a long time. There are many different styles of loop with Berber being one of the most popular. Do avoid loop if you have animals as it will catch and snag.
4.Saxony
A Saxony pile is a popular choices in the UK, particularly in bedrooms. The saxony is a deep cut pile so it is really soft and luxurious underfoot however over time it will have a tendency to flatten.
5.Shag
The shag pile has extra long tufts with a “shaggy” look, extremely popular in the 70’s. This is not an option for high traffic areas and should be only considered in areas of low traffic such as the bedroom.
Woven carpet
Woven carpet is made using the traditional loomed method, which creates a more premium finish. This carpet is made with all patterns and colours woven in rather than printed on the carpet. A more premium product than tufted carpet, it’s made either in pure wool or a blend of wool and manmade fibres, normally 80% wool, 20% nylon. Choose from Axminster’s, which tend to be patterned, or Wilton’s, which are more likely to be plain or have cut and loop styles.
Help on selecting the right Fibre
Wool
Wool is the premium and best option as it is easy to dye, holds it’s shape well, fire resistance and also cleans well. Wool is also a great insulator, which is brilliant for both heat loss and also noise. Wool is often mixed with a man-made fibre (something like 80% wool and 20% nylon is a great option) for optimum performance and it is recommended not to go below 50% wool mix. Wool is also an environmentally friendly choice and a sustainable natural fibre.
Polyamide
(also known as nylon) – Available in a wider range of hues and vibrant clear colours that can’t be reproduced in wool. A good all-rounder for family homes, good-quality polyamide or nylon carpets come with built-in stain-resistant treatments and score high marks for wearability.
Polypropylene
This man-made carpet fibre is a popular choice, because it’s hardwearing and resistant to stains. It can be cleaned using a part-bleached cleaning solution, although always check with the manufacturer or retailer first. However, Polypropylene is flammable and not self-extinguishing.
Wool-mix
Some consider a mix of 80% wool, 20% man-made fibres (such as polyamide or polyester), as the best combination for an all-purpose carpet.
Polyester
Often used for textured or shag carpets. Polyester is most like wool in appearance and feel, and is remarkably soft, durable and stain resistant. Most often used as a blend, rather than on its own.