Cut Pile Carpet vs. Closed Loop

Carpet Manufacturing

• All carpets begin their life as loop pile carpets. During manufacturing, the fibers are pushed through the backing and looped back around to form the pile. Many types of carpet are left like this and they continue to be popular. Cut pile carpets are formed when the loops are cut to leave a straight pile. In some types of carpet, only some of the loops are cut to create a mixed cut and loop style finish.

Cut Pile Carpet Types

• There are different styles of cut pile carpet. Plush carpets have an almost velvety texture that looks great and feels luxurious underfoot, but is not suitable for heavy traffic areas as it is more easily marked. Saxony carpets feature a finish where two or more piles are twisted and heat-set to create a distinctive appearance. They are very durable but can be prone to showing footprints and vacuum cleaner trails. Textured carpets are ideal for heavy traffic areas as are frieze carpets which have a short, twisted pile that doesn't mark easily.

Closed Loop Carpet Types

• Loop pile carpets tend to be highly durable but typically provide less cushioning than cut pile styles. They come in three main types. Level loop carpets are woven with equal sized loops of yarn; the tighter the yarn, the more durable and dirt-resistant the carpet. Looped carpets like Berbers are made with thicker yarns and feel more luxurious, but are more prone to catches and tend to trap dirt. Textured loops are manufactured with varying loop heights to create surface patterns in the weave. They're great for high-traffic areas but can trap dirt like other looped styles.

Making Your Choice

• Your choice of cut or loop pile carpet will be influenced by many factors. The main considerations though relate to the level of wear and tear you expect the carpet to sustain once it is installed. Closed loop carpets tend to be more more hard-wearing and resistant to marks from heavy footfall and vacuum cleaners so are suited to high-traffic household areas like hallways and stairs. Cut pile carpets are softer underfoot and more suited to lighter traffic areas such as bedrooms, though be aware that the pile will eventually flatten with normal use.