When you’re building a new house, there are so many choices you need to make. From roofing to appliances, your head is probably spinning. One of the hardest choices though is your floor covering – specifically, new carpet. Why? There are just so many options.
The best carpet for your home is often based on your specific needs. Do you have young kids and pets? If yes, stain resistance should be a priority. Will it be used in high traffic areas such as the family room? Then you should probably opt for something with high durability.
We at Parkvuehomes have put together the ultimate guide to help you understand the different types of carpet, which will hopefully make the selection process a little easier for you.
Common carpet materials
Carpet fibres have evolved over time to include synthetic fibres, such as polypropylene, polyester, and nylon. Wool is a popular choice, as the natural fibers are soft and resilient. There’s also sisal, although this material is much less common in Australia. We will look at these materials further to help you in deciding on a carpet type:
Polypropylene carpet – this type of carpet also known as olefin, offers exceptional value for money and is the ideal entry-level choice, with investors often selecting this option as it is easy to clean.
Polyester carpets and nylon carpet – both of these materials are more cost-effective than wool and are popular due to their hard-wearing nature and soil resistance making them the best carpet for accidents and high foot traffic.
Wool and wool blends – wool is great for pile retention, which is a bonus when you are moving furniture around and don’t want the dreaded look of furniture legs indented into your carpet. Wool is also the only material that is naturally flame retardant. It is generally considered a high-end, quality carpet type and will, therefore, demand a higher price point. Wool blends are mixed with synthetic carpet fibers and offer durability and resilience.
What carpet styles are available?
Multi-level loop – this has a textured finish with loops that are at various heights. There are different designs that create textures or patterns, or alternatively more plain styles to suit the look you are trying to achieve. Multi-level loop carpet is extremely durable.
Cut piles – cut pile carpet is manufactured with cut yarn loops to give an upright pile that presents with a more luxurious and formal look. You can choose between either cut pile plush carpet for a soft velvet and formal look or the popular cut pile twist carpets for a luxurious feel and smooth textured finish. A textured finish can present with less shading from vacuuming and traffic. The carpet pile height and pile construction will also change the look and feel.
Cut and loop – this style combines cut and looped yarns to create subtle sculptured effects with square or swirl patterns. Level cut and loop pile plus textured cut and loop pile carpet styles both offer a soft and smooth feel. Level cut and loop pile carpet offers lineal patterns, whilst textured cut and loop pile carpet brings patterns with a visual effect.
Saxony carpet – Saxony carpet is made from twisted yarn. The long pile has a soft feel under your feet, but it’s not as hard-wearing as other styles. It’s best reserved for low-traffic areas like your bedroom rather than hallways and stairs.
How should carpet be maintained?
Carpet can be easily maintained with a regular vacuuming regime. A weekly vacuum with a good quality vacuum cleaner will prolong the longevity of all carpet types. High traffic areas would benefit from more frequent vacuuming.
Note that vacuuming frequently will only remove surface dirt, so ensure that you incorporate a deep steam clean (for synthetic carpet types) every 1-2 years or dry clean (for wool carpet types) to remove pollutants, dust mites, pet hair and other debris that are usually further trapped below the surface or in between fibres.
In the end, you want to make sure that you choose the carpet that is right for you, and hopefully, you are now on your way to knowing more about the types that would suit your home.
