Which is the best carpet style to buy?

Which is the best carpet to buy?

Choosing the right carpet can be quite a challenge. With colour and tone aside, there are many other options to consider and many price points to choose from. So, ‘which is the best carpet?’

This small review of different carpet types will help you to make that choice. The answer is certainly not ‘price’, although that plays a part. Read on and regardless of budget or preference, you will be able to find your prefect carpet in the More for Your Floor product range. And remember, you can always order small samples of our carpet to view in your own home to help you make a final decision.

First, let’s explore the four main different types of carpet; Twist, Loop, Berber, Cord and Saxony.

Finding the right carpet for your room shouldn't be a challenge

What are Cord carpets?

Cord carpets are ideal if you are looking for the most affordable solution. They are the least expensive type of carpet and have a ‘loop’ pile structure, which is known to be one of the most hard wearing of pile types. Generally they have a very low pile and are foam backed. Despite the low price point, they can provide many years of hard use. They don’t ‘flatten’ with footfall and most are stain resistant. Ideal for kid’s bedrooms, vestibules, sheds, exhibition spaces. In fact, anywhere you need hard wearing carpet at the lowest price.

What are Twist carpets?

Twist pile carpets are a good all-rounder for any room of the house, including hallways and stairs. They vary greatly in price, depending on their density. The thicker and more tightly packed the fibres are, the higher the price. As the name suggests, they are manufactured with fibres which are cut and twisted to produce a short, upright pile that gives a luxury feel underfoot. They are soft, yet hardwearing and are resistant to crushing and matting, so they stay looking great for longer in higher footfall areas.

What are Loop and Berber carpets?

Although the aforementioned Cord carpets are actually formed with a loop pile, they are in a class of their own. Loop carpets, however, often also described as Berber carpets, are a lot more luxurious than Cords. The looped fibres, rather than being cut are stitched back into the carpet to give an exceptionally hard wearing surface. They are soft underfoot, but not as soft as a twist pile, or a Saxony carpet. Often Berbers are manufactured from wool, or a wool mix to give them even more durability and luxury. They hide stains well and are great in high traffic areas, due to their low pile height.

What are Saxony carpets?

‘Saxony carpet’ is often a byword for luxury. Saxonys are best described as ‘plush, deep pile, super soft carpets’. They provide a gloriously indulgent look and are incredibly soft underfoot. By design, their natural ‘home’ is in the bedroom, or in a lounge or office where relaxation, warmth and texture is desired. Saxonys are generally woven very densely and like twist pile carpets, the denser the pile, the higher the price. Saxonys have a ‘cut pile’ which is a lot longer than a twist carpet’s and consequently it will show marks from foot prints, vacuums etc., but most would argue that only this adds to the luxury appeal.

Wool is often considered the 'Rolls Royce' of the carpet world but can't be cleaned with a dilute bleach solution

What is the best type of carpet?

It is often said that the ‘Rolls Royce’ of the carpet world is a wool carpet. But wool isn’t to every taste. Whilst wool is luxurious, naturally organic, durable and warm, its one main disadvantage is stain resistance, which, although good, isn’t quite as effective as in polypropylene carpets. Most polypropylene carpets have a built in stain resistance and can be cleaned with a dilute bleach solution. So, if practicality for a busy household with kids and pets is your primary concern, wool might not be for you. Some carpets also feature polyamide and polyester, but by far the most popular choice today, are the polypropylene variants.

To summarise, which carpet is best for the bedroom, hall, lounge or stairs and should I fit underlay?

Twist pile carpets can be used in any room, as can berbers and loops and they all stand up well to high footfall and wear and tear, however, the denser the pile, the higher the price and the better the quality and durability. It should be noted, that the addition of a good underlay beneath any carpet will always add to its resistance to wear, so it’s a great investment and will add a more luxurious feel. Berbers and twists can also be used on the stairs, but benefit greatly from a dense pile in this location, so don’t skimp on price in this high footfall zone. Saxony carpets are best avoided in high footfall areas, such as hallways and stairs, but can be used anywhere else due to their high quality and density. They are ideal for a bedroom or lounge.

Heathered/flecked carpets work well in most rooms due to their two tone appearance that helps hide dirt

What do these terms mean: Action back, Hessian back, Felt back, Gel back, Heathered, Flecked?

These are all terms used to describe different types of carpet. Here is a quick explanation of the meanings. Some twist pile carpets are often referred to as ‘heathered’ or ‘flecked’. This patination gives the carpet a distinctive, but subtle two-tone appearance due to the use of two or more weaves of colours blended together into the fibres. This appealing look also helps make marks and dirt less visible… so your carpet will look cleaner for longer.

The other terms mentioned refer to the different types of carpet backing. Action backing, also more familiarly known as hessian backing is a tough backing that resists wear and adds strength to any carpet. This type of carpet requires the use of underlay and gripper rods. Felt backed carpets on the other hand can be laid with or without underlay and gripper rods and can simply be adhered to the substrate, which is great if you are on a budget, or don’t require the added luxury of underlay. The softer backing also makes fitting easier.

Gel backed carpets have a solid, but flexible material on the back which is both waterproof and anti-slip. Gel backed carpets are designed to be used without underlay. The backing is similar to the material you would use as an underlay for carpet runners or rugs.

Well, that sums up our brief resumé of carpet types and their suitability. Now, take a look at our product listings, order a few samples… and start transforming your home today with the best value flooring ever!… at More for Your Floor.