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Quick Buyer's Guide For Carpets
When selecting a new carpet, it's important to know the options we have available and the various carpets you can choose from, so we've created this easy to follow guide to help you decide.
Tufted Carpets
Easily the dominant choice in today's carpet marketplace, tufted carpets account for approximately 95% of all carpets sold, and for a good reason. To start with, they offer exceptional comfort. Thanks to their manufacturing process, tufted carpets are known for their durability and plushness.
The creation of tufted carpets involves the insertion of numerous yarns through a primary backing to form loops, which are subsequently trimmed to reveal the yarns and produce a wonderfully soft and cushioned texture underfoot. A secondary backing is then affixed to the underside to firmly secure the now-trimmed loops in place.
Thanks to this simple process, it is easy for manufacturers to produce quality carpets quickly and in a range of styles and colours.
Cut Pile Carpets
Cut pile carpets are characterised by the even cut of their carpet fibers, creating a dense and soft surface that is plush and luxurious underfoot.
Twist Carpets
Twist pile carpets are one of the most popular types of carpet in the UK. Characterised by their tightly twisted yarns, they offer the perfect blend of durability and comfort. The tightly twisted fibers not only enhance their resilience but also provide a soft and comfortable underfoot feel, making them perfect for lounges, bedrooms, and hall, stairs, and landing areas.
Twist pile carpets are known for their ability to bounce back and recover their shape, ensuring a long-lasting appearance. Available in a large choice of stain resistant and durable polypropylene finishes, as well as luxurious and natural wool blends, there is something for everyone. With a wide range of plain and heathered colors and textures to choose from, twist pile carpets offer versatility and style.
Saxony Carpets
Saxony carpets are known for their luxurious and sophisticated appearance, featuring densely packed, evenly cut fibers that create a smooth pile with an elegant surface. Saxony carpets offer a soft and plush feel underfoot that exudes a sense of refinement, making them a popular choice for formal living rooms and master bedrooms.
However, their velvety surface can show footprints and vacuum marks more readily than other carpet types, so they are best suited for areas with lower foot traffic. With their timeless appeal and wide range of colour options, Saxony carpets remain a classic choice for those seeking a touch of opulence in their home.
Velvet Carpets
Velvet carpets, also called velour or plush carpets, as their name suggests, epitomize opulence and luxury. They are characterised by their incredibly smooth and velvety surface, achieved through densely packed, evenly cut fibers. Velvet carpets offer an unparalleled level of softness and comfort underfoot, creating an inviting and sumptuous ambiance in your home.
While they provide a rich and lavish appearance, it's important to note that velvet carpets are more prone to showing footprints and vacuum marks due to their smooth texture, so bear that in mind. As such, they are best suited for low-traffic areas, like elegant formal lounges or master bedrooms, where their exquisite beauty and plush comfort can truly shine.
Loop Pile Carpets
This type of carpet is hard wearing and functional, making it ideal for rooms with heavy foot traffic. However, this type of carpet is not always suitable for homes with pets, especially cats, as their claws can pull out the loops.
Berber Carpets
Berber carpets, inspired by the handwoven wool carpets made by the Berber tribes of North Africa, are popular for their unique style and practicality. These carpets feature looped fibers made from sturdy materials like wool, nylon, polypropylene, or blends of these fibers, offering exceptional durability.
Berber carpets are an excellent choice for high-traffic areas due to their resilience and ability to hide dirt and wear effectively. May not be the best fit for households with pets, as animals with claws (especially cats) can potentially snag the looped fibers.
Multi Level Loop Carpets
Multi-level loop carpets are known for their intricate textures and patterns. These carpets feature loops of varying heights, creating a visually appealing surface that helps to add depth to any room.
Beyond their aesthetic charm, multi-level loop carpets are also prized for their durability and effectiveness at concealing dirt and wear. As with all loop carpets, they are probably best avoided if you own a pet with claws.
Level Loop Carpets
Constructed with uniformly looped fibers at the same height, level loop carpets create a flat, even surface that is highly resistant to wear and tear. Their durability is complemented by their ease of maintenance, as they are generally resistant to stains and relatively straightforward to clean.
Level loop carpets offer a simple and uniform appearance, making them great for any home, but as with all loops, it is probably best to avoid if you have cats.
Woven Carpets
Woven carpets are a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of carpet manufacturing. These carpets are meticulously crafted on traditional looms, where the weaver interlaces the pile yarns with the backing, creating a dense and tightly woven fabric. The result is a carpet that boasts exceptional durability and longevity, and is available in a wide variety of styles, colours and patterns.
Their time-honored production process and high-quality materials make woven carpets a work of art as much as a floor covering, with some carpets lasting generations. The only downside to a woven carpet is the price. Due to the slow nature of the manufacturing process and the fact that only the finest materials are used, they tend to be at the higher end of the market price wise.
Axminster Carpets
Axminster carpets are the pinnacle of luxury and craftsmanship in the world of carpeting, and are renowned for their intricate and vivid designs. They are the epitome of customisable carpets.
They are created by twisting yarns and inserting them into the backing at the same time, creating ‘U’ shaped tufts. This means that each tuft can be utilised as part of a design to build up images, patterns, and more. This manufacturing process locks in the yarns to create a stylish and durable finish that is super soft and results in a carpet that exudes opulence and offers exceptional durability and resilience.
Axminster carpets are often found in prestigious hotels, grand residences, and upscale establishments, where they contribute to an air of sophistication and timeless elegance. Their ability to blend artistry with practicality makes Axminster carpets a symbol of luxury and enduring beauty the world over.
Wilton Carpets
The distinguishing feature of Wilton carpets is their manufacturing process, which involves weaving the carpet pile and backing together on a Jacquard loom. This intricate method is very similar to that used by Axminster, the main difference being that a continuous fibre is woven all the way through.
Wilton carpets are revered for their plushness, resilience, and the ability to withstand heavy foot traffic. They are available in a range of intricate and diverse patterns, from classic to contemporary. These carpets not only provide comfort underfoot but also lend an air of sophistication to any room, showcasing a fusion of aesthetics and practicality that will literally stand the test of time.
