Blog
How to Choose the Best Carpet for Your Space
30th January 2018
With the new year moving on at full force, you are likely to want to start on spring cleaning and home improvement projects in the next several weeks. Replacing carpet in high-traffic areas and rooms that you are redesigning is probably one of your concerns. How do you tell which carpet will work the best for your home or office? Do you know that the softer the carpet, the more likely it is to show dirt and traffic marks? We explain some of the terms you will hear and see when looking for carpet for your home improvement project or office remodel.
What is carpet pile?
Carpet pile is the material that the carpet is made from, and it can have a variety of lengths, thicknesses, and styles. Each style forms a different texture from the others, and the characteristics of each offer benefits like hiding dirt better than another pile. Knowing the use of your space before carpeting can help you decide which pile type is right for your project.
Types of carpet piles
Level loop
- Offers good stain resistance
- Some cushioning
- Useful in mainly commercial applications
- Twisted loops that form an even layer across the carpet
- Does not look as uniform as other styles like the cut-loop version
Cut pile
- Straight pieces of material that are twisted after they are cut
- Extra soft texture that tends to show marks from vacuuming and footprints
- There are several variations of cut pile including Frieze, textured, Saxony, velvet, and others
- Each variation has distinct characteristics – for example, Saxony works well for areas where you want a luxurious carpet and textured provides better resistance against traffic holding up to more wear and tear
Cut-loop
- Combines cut and loop forms of yarn to create a unique style carpet
- Works well in homes that want a beautiful design that also holds up to traffic
Pattern loop pile
- Uses loops of varying sizes to make a complete design
- This style works best in casual settings like great rooms, dens, and living rooms
The functionality of your chosen space makes a big difference in the carpet you want
Whether you plan to entertain every weekend or you just want a cozy space for the kids to curl up when coloring is a massive consideration when it comes to selecting the best carpet. An office space will do best with a commercial grade carpet that is easy to clean, shows little marks, and stands up to traffic. For your office, the level loop carpet might give you the best features, where a patterned loop pile might be more comfortable for your den. There are stain treatments, Teflon coating, and a variety of padding thicknesses that you can use to get the most out of your carpet as well.
Common carpet terms you should know
Dupont Teflon coating
This carpet treatment provides extreme dirt resistance and lets you use treated carpets in high traffic areas with great success. Teflon coating reduces the carpets ability to soak up stains and liquids, but there is a maintenance factor to consider with this option. Every time you clean your Teflon-coated carpets, you must get the carpet treated again to provide stain resistance.
Nylon carpet
This material tends to stand up to stains extremely well and provides great resistance to soiling. Nylon is more durable than polyester or polypropylene. Six by six nylon is an even higher quality material that withstands tons of traffic and provides high stain resistance.
Anti-static treatment
If you are like most of us, your home or office is full of technological devices like computers, printers, smartphones, fax machines, and copiers. Adding carpet with an anti-static treatment can help you protect your devices from static charges. Less static also means less dirt and dust sticks to the carpet when you vacuum.
Fade resistant
Carpet with this treatment is less likely to dull with regular exposure to the sun. This style works well in offices and homes with much natural light.
Volatile organic compounds
- Carpet with VOC’s can irritate the throat, nose, and eyes for months after installation
- Opt for VOC-free carpet if someone in your home has allergies
Choose a carpet style that takes into account the function of the space, the budget you can afford, and the look you want to achieve. For extremely sunny rooms, opt for a carpet that is treated to withstand fading. To get the most luxurious style, you may want to opt for wool carpet if you do not mind the upkeep and maintenance that goes along with it. For more information about carpet styles or treatments, our experts at Accent on Floors are happy to help you choose the best carpet for your project with a quick call to 804-458-0048.