Names of Carpet Styles

Types of Carpet

• There are three main types of carpet. Loop pile carpet yarns are rings of fiber sewn into the carpet backing. Cut pile carpet starts out as loop pile, and the ends of the loops are cut evenly, close to the carpet backing material. Cut and loop carpet combines cuts and loops that create a sculpted surface that typically has varying shades of one color.

Loop Pile Styles

• This style is highly durable and holds up well in heavy-traffic areas. The two main styles are Berber and level loop. Berber has a dense texture of large loops typically made from nylon, wool or the synthetic fiber, olefin. It is highly resistant to stains but its large loops are easily snagged by house pets, which destroy its appearance. Level loop carpet has closely tufted loops that form a smooth, hard finish that is longwearing but harsh to the touch. Based on its abrasive surface, it is normally installed in homes without babies or small children.

Cut Pile Options

• There are three main cut pile carpet designs. Saxony, also called plush, has a slightly lustrous, soft finish about 1/2 inch high that looks different depending on which way the pile is "combed." Since it easily shows vacuum marks and footprints, Saxony is best for low-traffic areas such as formal dining rooms or adult bedrooms. Textured carpet is softer than Saxony due to looser tufting and has an irregular surface that resists dirt and does not show traffic marks, which makes it a top choice for heavily used floors. Carpets with frieze finishes have short, twisted, hardwearing surfaces that resist dirt and stains. They are most commonly used in commercial and industrial buildings with high foot traffic.

Cut and Loop Pile

• By far the softest carpet type, cut and loop was a popular style in the '70s and '80s that was commonly called shag carpeting. The combination of short cut strands interspersed with long loops effectively mask dirt and wear, and the color variations change as people walk on it. Cut and loop pile carpet is difficult to find at major carpet retailers but can sometimes be found at carpet remnant stores.