Carpet Flooring

Have you ever walked on a carpet and marveled at how soft and resilient it feels? That probably has as much to do with the quality of pad, than the actual carpet. Good padding protects your carpet, makes it last longer, and feel better. It acts as a shock absorber and protects carpet from the wear and tear of everyday use.

Understanding carpet construction is important for choosing the right carpet. Things to consider – what type of construction suits the traffic, ease of maintenance, look, and feel you want. Please browse our guide below to understand the style of carpet you are looking at and if it will fit your needs.

A Textured carpet is one of the most popular and well known. It is a cut pile carpet with tight crimps and alternating twists. This creates a casual and super soft feel. It is also known for hiding footprints and vacuum marks. This construction comes at multiple price points to fit the style and budget of anyone. It will hold up to heavy traffic and active families.

Good For: High traffic. Informal look. Goes well anywhere in the home.

Saxony carpet is dense and elegant. It looks like velvet and feels as soft. The yarn is level cut, with equal twists, and heat set for a uniform finish. This carpet has an expensive look and feel. Saxony is not recommended for high traffic areas since it will likely show footprints and vacuum marks.

Good For:  Low traffic. Elegant spaces. Great for a master bedroom, dining room, or formal living areas.

The Twist, also known as Frieze, is a cut style with tight twists that bend away from each other and slightly curl at the end. It has a textured surface look, highly durable, and good for active areas in the home. This carpet is the best choice for hiding footprints and common markings. It can also be a good choice for commercial projects. 

Good For: High traffic. Contemporary look. Family and pet friendly homes. Commercial locations. 

This carpet style is thick, long, and twisty. The yarn is cut at a variety of lengths. It is soft to walk on, but not good for high activity rooms, hallways, or stairs, due to its tendency for it to crush beneath the feet. 

Good For: Soft feel. Bedrooms and low traffic areas. 

A Loop carpet is an uncut yarn that creates a durable surface. It is easy to clean, holds up to wear, and lasts a long time. Since seams are more likely to be visible, it may not be a good choice for stairs.  

When the loops are all the same length, they are called Level Loops. This creates a smooth surface and each individual loop can be seen. They are firm and tend to be casual. 

Thick, bulky yarn when looped is often called Berber. Berber is denser and resists stains. Be advised, berbers may not be a good choice for pet owners since claws or nails may catch and cause fraying. 

Good For: Active rooms. Casual look. Low maintenance.

Cut & Loop combines both cut and uncut loops to create patterns and textures. These styles can come in one color or in multiple colors. The advantages are they offer many different styles and looks, whether a contemporary and formal space is in mind. This construction of carpet can disguise stains and withstands wear. 

Good For: A variety of choices. Contemporary or formal areas. Hides soiling and regular wear. 

The correct cushion is important for maintaining the life and look of your carpet. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, texture, cut-loop, or high level loop needs a resilient, firm cushion of 7/16 inch and no less than ¼ inch with 6 pounds cubic feet density. Polyurethane foams, including rebound, fiber, or rubber are good options. Berber or thinner loop and thinner cut styles require a stable, low-flexing cushion. Cushion thickness should not exceed 3/8 inch. Check with the carpet manufacturer to see if a specific cushion is required.