A carpet is a loom-woven or threaded floor covering. Many people
choose to carpet their home from wall to wall or place carpets over
wood floors. There are many benefits to carpeting. Not only
does it insulate against the cold, add safety, absorb sound, and cushion
the feet, but it can also help to tie together a color scheme or make a
bold statement of its own.
There are several aspects to consider when choosing carpeting for your
home, including color scheme, construction, and cost, as well as its
location and the use it will receive. A carpet with a quality
rating of 4-5 (on a scale of 1-5) will usually be best for a high-traffic
area of the home, such as a hallway or living room, while a quality
rating of 3 may suffice for a less-traveled area such as a bedroom.
Neutral colors typically blend in well with surrounding design elements,
but this is not the only choice in carpeting. There are also many
bold colors that can make carpeting the focal point of a room and express
an element of style.
In addition to various colors, textures and patterns also lend an air of
sophistication. A cut-pile carpet features cut loops and is one of
the most popular carpet constructions available. There are several
types of cut-pile carpets, including plush/velvet, which has a smooth,
level surface, Saxony, which has a smooth surface but more twist to the
yarns to create a less formal look, and frieze, which is a cut pile
featuring very twisted yarns, creating a "curly" texture. Level
loop piles are loops that are not cut, but are the same height, creating
an informal look. An example of this is Berber carpet.
Multi-level loop pile has several different loop heights to create
texture and patterns. Cut and loop pile is a combination of the two
and provides the most amount of texture.
Fibers are an important part of carpet construction and may be nylon,
olefin, polyester, acrylic, wool, or blends of the above. Nylon is
the most popular carpet fiber, while olefin provides resistance to wear
and stains. Wool tends to be the most expensive fiber and generally
has the most bulk.
When pricing options, it is best to consider how long the carpet will be
used. In general, a better grade of carpet will last longer than
one of lesser grade, and the better carpet may be well worth the extra
cost in the long run.