Carpeting Basics

Carpeting is generally produced in rolls and installed wall to wall in any area. Rugs , on the other hand, are a floor covering that is not attached to the flooring. Both types are used in areas where you want warmth, sound insulation, and softness underfoot. Good bets are for bedrooms, halls, and living areas such as livingrooms, family rooms, and great rooms.

Carpet Construction

Carpets add beauty to a room by unifying the furnishings, walls, and accessories. There are many different styles, colors, and construction of carpets to select. Most carpets come in standard widths ranging from 9 ft. to 15 ft. Carpet pile is determined by the loop, which can be cut or not cut. Density is important to the durability of the carpet. To check, pull back the pile and see how much of the backing shows. If you see much backing, you have less carpet fiber to stand wear. The amount of denier and ply affect carpet density. Denier is the fiber size and weight and ply refers to the number of strands of yarn that form a single carpet yarn.

Carpet Textures

The following are the various types of carpet textures available:

Cut and Loop
Also known and random sheared, this type of carpet has cut and uncut loops that give a sculptured effect.

Frieze
This cut pile has yarns that are twisted creating a pebbly look.

Plush
This type uses evenly cut pile to create a velvet-like look.

Saxony
The combination of plush and short shag yarns give this carpet a rich look.

Level and Multilevel Loop
Both of these types of pile are constructed of uncut loops of yarn that are either uniform in height (level loop) or varying in height (multilevel loop). A sculptured style is achieved with the multilevel loop carpet.

Shag
This type is loosely constructed carpeting that uses a long pile that lies in a random shag appearance.

Carpet and Rug Fibers

The following are the various fibers from which carpets and rugs are constructed:

Wool
Offers a deep rich look with exceptional resilience and durability. Expensive. Resists soil, but requires special cleaning.

Acrylic and Modacrylic
Nonallergenic, close to the characteristics of wool. Available in a wide-range of colors. Resists crushing and mildew, but can pill. Cleans well.

Nylon
Excellent durability and resiliency with good color retention. Nonallergenic and resists mildew. Resists soiling and is easy to clean.

Polyester
Comes in a variety of textures and is very durable. Looks like wool and resists soiling. Easily cleaned.

Polypropylene Olefin
Very strong, durable, and moisture resistant. Can be used indoors and out with the appropriate backing. Easy to clean.

Written by the editors of HouseNet, Inc.

Back to Home Improvement Preview Lawn And Garden Home Decorating Preview Shopping Center