Carpet offers a padded surface to the feet almost anywhere. To get the right style for your space, it is important to know the characteristics of the different types of carpeting available.
Made with a variety of natural and synthetic fibers, the four most common materials being nylon, polyester, triexta, and wool.
Types of Fibers to Choose
The type of fiber certainly makes a big difference in the performance of the carpet.
You can choose from three popular fiber types: PET (polyester), nylon and triexta.
All are 100% inorganic fibers. Wool is a popular fiber for carpets, but it is not the best option for homes with children.
Nylon fiber
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Nylon is the most used carpet fiber in homes. It is considered one of the best versatile carpet fibers with high durability.
It is also easy to clean and maintain. Nylon alone is not very stain resistant, which is why many different treatments are used by manufacturers to improve their stamina. Nylon seems to be an expensive option, but there are options in all price tag.
Polyester fiber
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Fiber polyester rug is known for its softness and high luster. Compared to nylon, the high luster of polyester gives a brighter and richer color. It is also naturally stain resistant.
Polyester is also a relatively environmentally friendly synthetic option. It is easily recyclable and can be made from recycled polyester. However, it is not as durable as a nylon carpet fiber. It also tends to be more economical than nylon.
Triexta Fiber
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Triexta, a type of polyester, is a relatively new carpet fiber on the market with excellent stain resistance and durability.
As it is naturally stain resistant, it does not require additional stain treatment, resulting in a softer mat. However, it does not support heavy traffic well.
Polypropylene
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Polypropylene or Olefin is a carpet fiber used in many Berber carpets for commercial purposes because it has the appearance of wool.
However, it is not as durable as other synthetic fibers and can be difficult to clean and maintain.
It resists water and dries quickly, making it a good choice for basements or outdoor rugs. It tends to be cheaper than nylon, but it does not last as long.
Wool Fiber
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Wool is the organic fiber on the market and is to be considered as a premium carpet choice. It is pricier than other synthetic fiber. It is a very durable carpet fiber, but cannot withstand heavy traffic areas.
Wool has a natural resistance to staining, but fibers absorb water and other liquids, which means that spills should be cleaned quickly to prevent stains.
By being able to absorb moisture, it will act as a natural humidifier, but in winter, it can become static (much like wool socks). Unlike synthetic fibers, it is also fire resistant.
Instead of burning, it is charred, making it better than synthetics in front of a fireplace or wood stove. This is an eco-friendly coating option that does not emit VOCs. It is also a renewable resource.
Types of Carpet Pile
Uncut Carpet Pile
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Also called “loop pile” or “Berber pile”, the loop of the uncut carpet leaves all the thread caught on the surface of the piece. These mats tend to be very durable, easy to clean and stain resistant, making them perfect for high traffic commercial applications.
In addition, uncut pile carpets do not show prints caused by foot and vacuum.
The main disadvantage of an uncut pile is that it tends to be less soft and less padded than a cut pile carpet. In addition, loops may present a risk, especially for pets or small children.
Cut Carpet Pile
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Cut pile usually produces soft, inviting and easy to clean carpets. Different styles can be created by changing the shear angle that crosses the loop or by using different treatments on the wire before and after insertion into the barking.
On the other hand, the rigid threads allow a better view of the footprints and vacuum marks. This also makes the wear and tear more obvious, which means that these rugs need to be replaced more often.
Saxony Cut Pile
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The Saxony pile consists of individual vertical locks to create a lush and fuzzy surface.
The disadvantage of this style is that these strands are easily crushed by feet and vacuum cleaners, leaving marks on the surface.
It is also subject to wear and tear, making the Saxony carpets a floor treatment only for use in areas of low traffic.
Textured Cut Pile
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This style is also called “no track” because it does not show footprints and other marks on its surface as much as other stacks cut, such as Saxony.
This is accomplished by taking individual yarns and twisting them, which are adjusted using heated steam. Spiral strands do not reflect light as much as straight strands, so it is less visible when the spirals are crushed. This pile is suitable for medium to high traffic areas.
Plush Carpet Pile
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Sometimes called velvet cut pile, this style features short, densely packed fibers that together create a rich, luxurious carpet surface. Unfortunately, this style of carpet is quite temperamental.
Subject to wear, scratches and footprints, the pile of velvet carpeting should only be used in luxurious, low-traffic environments.
Frieze Cut Pile
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The frieze cut pile is composed of very twisted and kinked individual strands, causing them to curl irregularly on the surface of the carpet.
This highly durable style tends to hide dirt and wear and is suitable for busy and commercial environments.
Carpet Tile vs Broadloom
There are two main types of commercial carpets:
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1. Broadloom roll
2. carpets tiles
And if you are looking for a soft floor covering for your facility, choosing between these two types is one of the first decisions to take.
Considerations for installing broadloom and carpets tiles
Broadloom carpets
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Broadloom carpets are available in large rolls, usually, at least 12 feet wide, and are placed on a rug that rests on the substrate of your floor.
Teams install them by aligning the large pieces and cutting some of them, including the carpet mat below, to the appropriate size for a room.
Carpet tiles
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Carpet tiles, also known as carpet squares or modular carpets, are in the form of pre-sized squares with built-in stand and base.
They are sitting directly on your substrate. Your installer will install the individual parts one at a time, with a minimal cut, resizing only a few pieces if necessary.
Broadloom Carpets Advantages And Disadvantages
Advantages Of Broadloom Carpets
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Broadloom is the traditional and even more popular choice of carpeting on corporate floors.
It is offered with many design options, including patterns, colors and even mosaics, with almost unlimited aesthetic possibilities.
Because Broadloom is installed in a carpet, it can look great even if your substrate has minor imperfections.
Quality broadloom with moisture support provides superior stain resistance and the seams can be concealed with chemical solder.
Some broadloom with the appropriate underlayment material can be used to create a softer and richer feel than the carpet tile allows.
In general, you will find that large broadloom carpets are cheaper than carpets tiles.
Disadvantages Of Broadloom Carpets
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First, it creates waste during installation, due to the necessary process of cutting large pieces, especially carpets.
The cost of unnecessary or unused materials can offset unit price savings. Secondly, it is difficult, and expensive to repair.
If any part of it is irreversibly damaged by moisture or mildew, all carpet of a section must be removed and reinstalled to secure it completely.
Carpet Tiles Advantages And Disadvantages
Advantages Of Carpet Tiles
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No carpet is required, the carpet allows quick and easy installation in relation to broadloom, reducing costs and simplifying the schedule.
Over time, maintenance is easy because you can quickly remove each part to clean or replace if it is damaged.
Because of the size of the tiles and the ease of replacing small sections of your carpet, you can profitably store spare parts that require minimal space.
The carpet tiles offer a variety of design options and enable designs that Broadloom cannot reproduce economically, such as a chess effect or certain textured layouts.
Disadvantages Of Carpet Tiles
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Design limitations and costs. Carpet tiles offer some possibilities, but they are not suitable for some models that broadloom handles, such as larger patterns or mosaic styles.
Seams are most visible with carpet tiles, which can be a disadvantage for some projects. The cost of certain carpet tiles is higher than that of broadloom.
