HOME TRUTHS: THE BEST TYPES OF CARPET
Are you thinking about getting a new carpet in your home? If so, you may feel overwhelmed at the sheer number of different carpet styles that are available to buy. With so many different styles, how do you figure out which is the right style for your home? In addition to personal preferences, there are some other things that you may need to consider when purchasing a new carpet for your home.
Below, interior design and decorating expert Sylvia James at HomeHow.co.uk has created this guide, providing you with everything you need to know about the different types of carpet. This guide will help you determine which type of carpet is best for you and your family.
What Are The Different Types of Carpet?
Berber Carpet
A Berber carpet is a loop style of the carpet where the loops are not cut, and so are left as bouncy loops. This is a durable type of carpet and works very well in high-traffic areas such as the living room or hallway. One of the downsides of Berber carpeting is the fact that the loops can become damaged if things get caught in them. This can be a particularly bad issue for pet owners as their claws can get stuck in the loops and pull them out, creating imperfections in the carpet.
Woven Carpet
Woven carpets tend to be more expensive than other carpet types as the manufacturing process is more complicated and takes much longer. The pile on this type of carpeting is woven into the backing and then cut to length. This creates a very soft and velvety surface that is very comfortable to walk on. Woven carpets tend to be much less common than other carpet types due to their long manufacturing times and the fact that they tend to cost much more than other carpet types.
Saxony Carpet
The Saxony style of carpet is a soft cut pile type of carpet that has a very even surface. It is typically a densely woven design that feels soft under the feet. One of the main disadvantages of Saxony carpeting is the fact that it is quite thick and tends to show furniture marks and vacuum prints. This is an elegant style of carpet and it works well in most rooms of the home.
Level-Loop Carpet
A level loop carpet features various loops that are all of the same height. This makes this type of carpet a very even and level surface. It is a thin type of carpet that tends to be less comfortable under the feet than other carpet types. Due to its flat texture, this type of carpet tends to be found mostly in office settings and commercial buildings. However, it can also make a brilliant, low-maintenance carpet for many homes. It is one of the most durable types of carpet and works very well in high-traffic areas. It’s also great for pet owners as it’s very unlikely that a pet’s claws will get caught in this type of carpet.
Shag Carpet
Shag carpeting is a very thick and bulky type of carpeting with a much deeper pile than other carpet types. With this in mind, this type of carpet is extremely comfortable to walk on. The yarn on the shag carpeting is twisted to give it a signature curly look. One of the main downsides of shag carpeting is the fact that it can be quite difficult to clean due to the deep pile. The long fibres on this type of carpeting also make it very difficult for wheelchair users to get around.
Frieze Carpet
Frieze is a type of carpeting where the pile is cut down to make it shorter. It is similar to shag carpeting but has a shorter pile due to the cuts. The yarn is twisted for a curly look, similar to shag carpeting. This is a comfortable type of carpeting that is soft and durable. One of the main downsides of frieze carpeting is the fact that it can sometimes be difficult to clean, and stains tend to sink into the backing.
How Do You Know When a Carpet Needs to Be Replaced?
There are a number of signs that you can look out for that will indicate you are ready for a new carpet. Below is a list of things that may indicate you need a new carpet:
- Visible stains
- Increase in allergy symptoms
- Visible wear and tear
- Rips
- Ripples, bubbles, or wrinkling appearing
- Uneven
- Coming away from the walls
How Do You Maintain a Carpet?
Regular vacuuming is one of the best things you can do to maintain your carpet and keep it looking fresh and clean, but what about when you want to get a deeper clean? It’s recommended that you perform a deep clean on your carpet every few weeks in addition to vacuuming to ensure that it remains in top shape.
Below is a list of various cleaning methods for carpets:
Steam Vapour
Water is one of the simplest natural solutions to cleaning. You won’t have to worry about any chemicals or allergic reactions when it comes to water. If you already have a steam cleaner, then that’s great. If not, it’s a great investment if you’re looking to move to cleaning your carpets naturally.
Steam cleaning can help to clean, deodorise and sanitise your carpets. It also helps to relax the carpet fibres and allows them to look their best the same time as killing small pests such as dust mites. Steam cleaning will allow you to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria due to the hot steam.
Water and Vinegar
Create a mixture of one part vinegar and two parts water in a large spray bottle. Mix these liquids together and add a little bit of salt. If you want to add a deodorising effect, simply add a few drops of clear essential oil.
Shake up the bottle to combine the mixture together and then spray it generously on the stained area. You can also use this mixture for cleaning the entire carpet if you wish. Leave the solution to dry, and then vacuum over it.
Water, Vinegar and Baking Soda
Sprinkle some baking soda over the stained area on your carpet. Allow this to sit on the stain for a minimum of an hour. Ideally, it’s best to leave it overnight.
Mix vinegar and water together in equal parts inside a spray bottle, and then spray this mixture over the baking soda. This should then start to fizz. Once the fizzing is over, pat the area with a clean cloth to blot up the mixture.
Baking Soda
Baking soda will do the trick if you want to deodorise your carpet naturally. This product absorbs odours very effectively. Sprinkle a light layer of baking soda over your carpet and allow it to sit for several hours. Then, simply vacuum it up.
If you want to add a deodorising scent to your carpet, add some drops of clear essential oil with the baking soda before sprinkling it.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many different types of carpets, so it can be difficult to figure out which is best for you. In this guide, we have gone over the various types and the benefits of each type. We have also provided tips on how to tell when you need a new carpet and how to maintain your carpet.