Carpet Basics
Carpet is a luxurious, modern floor covering with ancient roots.
In the distant past, carpet was painstakingly made by hand. But today, it’s largely manufactured by machine. When talking about carpet, there are a variety of technical terms used to describe specific styles. Understanding the different terms can help when selecting the best carpet for your home.
Learn about carpet, carpet gallery, carpeting installation, carpet questions and carpeting care and maintenance.
About Carpet
Carpet is a luxurious, modern floor covering with ancient roots. In the distant past, carpet was painstakingly made by hand. But today, it’s largely manufactured by machine. When talking about carpet, there are a variety of technical terms used to describe specific styles. Understanding the different terms can help when selecting the best carpet for your home.
Loop, Cut Loop, And Pile
When carpeting is made, fibers (also called yarns) are woven into a material backing. This is done in a way that creates small loops of yarn all along the surface. This surface is referred to as the carpet’s “pile”. If the loops are left in-tact, the carpet is referred to as loop pile carpet; if the loops are cut, the carpet is cut pile. Some carpets have a combination of both techniques and are referred to as cut and loop. Loop pile, cut pile and cut and loop carpets all have different characteristics because of differences in their surface textures.
Carpet Fibers
In addition to the differences in carpet pile, an important distinction between carpets is the fiber used in their construction. Fiber refers to the material used to create the carpet’s yarn, and fibers can be either synthetic or natural. The majority of carpet on the market today is made of synthetic fibers including, nylon, polypropylene or polyester. Natural fiber carpets are usually made of wool, though you will occasionally see other natural materials, such as silk, cotton or bamboo. Carpet characteristics will vary depending on their construction and material.
Which Carpet To Choose
Choosing carpeting can seem like a daunting task. At the Floor Store, we’re happy to walk you through all of your options and answer any questions you might have. Feel free to call us or stop in to one of our 9 showroom locations and talk through all of the options available to you.
Defining Your Texture
There are different carpet looks and styles to choose from, what's your texture?
LOOP
Supremely versatile, extremely durable and also quite affordable.
Textured
Hides footprints and vacuum tracks, good choice for high-traffic rooms that get a lot of activity.
TWIST
Described as casual and soft. Popular choice for spaces where the family gathers.
PATTERN
Turn your floors into a statement piece or simply add another layer of visual interest.
