Blog, Carpet Flooring

Choosing the right carpet for your home is an investment, so you want to ensure that it lasts for years. While aesthetics certainly play a part, you should also consider the best options for the room you’re interested in carpeting, your lifestyle, whether you have children or pets, and the maintenance requirements. 

The first step in carpeting your home is knowing the different types of carpet available.

What are the different types of carpet?

• Berber

• Cable

• Cut and loop

• Frieze

• Plush

• Textured

Berber Carpet

Berber (looped) is a style of carpet made of thick, bulky yarn. Typically, it is made of olefin but is also available in wool, polyester and nylon. 

Unlike most other styles of carpet, the fibers are left as loops—hence the name—rather than sheared. The looped construction feels “bouncy” underfoot, but it’s not as soft as others. 

Durability

Berber carpet is remarkably durable because the fibers are uncut and woven very tightly, which prevents fraying.  

These factors make it very popular for high-traffic areas, like playrooms, living rooms, and children’s bedrooms. It’s also the primary carpet found in commercial office buildings.

Maintenance & Care

Berber is easy to maintain because liquid spills tend to sit on top of the pile rather than sink into it. It’s also great at hiding dirt because the loops are so dense. 

One downside is that the loops can snag, so pet claws or sharp edges can pull the fibers loose. 

Cable Carpet

Constructed of long, thick yarns, cable carpet is a luxurious style that adds coziness and warmth to your home.

The most popular fiber options are nylon, polyester, and wool, all of which offer a soft texture similar to shag.

Durability

Cable carpet performs best in low-traffic conditions, as the longer fiber length is prone to matting and crushing. That makes it ideal for bedrooms, guest rooms, and living rooms.   

This type of carpet holds moisture, affecting how it retains dirt. In that context, a cable carpet with a higher pile may appear discolored without regular deep cleaning. 

Maintenance & Care

With regular vacuuming and steam cleaning, your cable carpet should maintain its softness and color for many years. 

Cut and Loop Carpet

Featuring a combination of high, sheared tufts and lower-cut loops, cut and loop carpet is well-known for its sculptural, textural patterns. 

While the patterns can consist of different colored fibers, more subtle options in a single tone are also quite popular. 

Durability

One key drawback with cut and loop carpet is that the pattern starts to look worn down as the cut fibers fray or untwist. 

Because the pattern depends on the length difference between the cut and loop sections, it is best suited for low-traffic areas. 

Maintenance & Care

Cut and loop carpets need regular vacuuming, contributing to the worn-out appearance. 

Fortunately, the texture tends to hide dirt, so consider choosing a darker-colored carpet to cut back on how often you’ll need to vacuum. 

Frieze Carpet

Frieze or “twist” carpet has a knobby appearance because each long fiber is tightly twisted. The tightness of the twist causes the fibers to curl back on themselves, creating a soft and comfortable underfoot feel. 

Durability

One of the advantages of frieze carpet is that the twists resist matting and crushing. Because the fibers curl down, the pressure from foot traffic lands on the sides rather than the sheared top. You can use it in every carpeted room of your home with the confidence that it will stand up to wear and tear.

The texture also hides seams, making it an excellent option for rooms wider than a carpet roll or stairs. 

Maintenance & Care

Frieze carpets mask dirt, but it can be challenging to clean up liquid spills, as they tend to sink into the fibers. Be proactive by choosing stain-resistant fibers and cleaning up any accidents as soon as they happen. 

Plush Carpet

Of all the different types of carpet, plush carpet is arguably the softest. It has a smooth, flat pile made of tightly-packed fibers. 

The appearance and texture are similar to velvet, as the color looks lighter or darker depending on which direction the fibers are laying. 

Durability

Plush carpets are durable, making them a popular choice for homes with pets and children. 

The softness is luxurious and pleasant to lay on, so little ones who enjoy playing on the floor will be comfortable. 

One drawback of plush carpets is that they show indentations from footprints, vacuum tracks, and furniture because the fibers are so short and dense. While that is normal, it is something to consider before making a purchase. 

Maintenance & Care

Because of the uniform color and dense fibers, plush does best with regular vacuuming to remove dirt and pet hair. Otherwise, it can look discolored and lose some of its softness. 

Additionally, wet spills must be blotted up immediately, as they can spread quickly. You should avoid rubbing the carpet, which causes the fibers to fray and affects the texture. 

Textured Carpet

Textured carpets are highly versatile, as they can consist of either cut piles or loops that are tightly twisted and vary in length to create two different color tones. 

The appearance is more subtle than cut and loop style carpets but still adds plenty of visual interest without the tendency to appear worn down. 

Durability

Textured carpets are excellent at masking furniture indentations and stand up to even the heaviest foot traffic, so it’s perfect for busy households with pets and children. 

Because the fibers are twisted similarly to frieze-style carpets, they also resist crushing and matting.

Maintenance & Care

Like all twisted-strand flooring, textured carpets are excellent at masking dirt. The short pile also resists staining. 

You should maintain a regular vacuuming and steam cleaning routine to ensure the subtle patterning stays as beautiful as the day you installed it. 

Wrap Up

Carpet has long been a favorite thanks to its soft coziness, warmth, and upscale appearance. While it does require a little more care and maintenance, the different types of carpet make a huge difference in how much time you’ll need to spend on upkeep. 

The most popular types are Berber, plush, and frieze – but if you’re looking for softness, we definitely recommend the plush!

To get the most out of your new carpets, work with our professional installation team who can guide you through the best options for your home!