Types by pile style
Twist pile
Description: The most popular type of carpet in the UK, twist pile is made from yarn that is tightly twisted and cut. The textured, coarse finish hides marks and is very practical.
Best for: High-traffic areas like hallways, stairs, and living rooms due to its durability.
Saxony
Description: A luxurious and soft carpet with a deep, dense, and velvety pile. It comes in two finishes: velvet (smooth and silky) or textured (with twisted yarns).
Best for: Bedrooms and living rooms where a feeling of comfort and opulence is desired. It does show footprints and vacuum marks easily.
Loop pile
Description: Created by weaving uncut loops of yarn, giving it a strong, textured, and hard-wearing surface.
Best for: High-traffic areas like stairs and hallways, especially in homes without pets, as claws can snag on the loops. Berber carpets are a type of loop pile known for their flecked appearance.
Types by construction
Tufted
Description: The most common and affordable construction method. A machine punches tufts of yarn into a backing material.
Features: Offers a wide range of designs and is quicker to produce, making it more budget-friendly.
Woven
Description: A more traditional and durable method of production, where the pile and backing are woven together on a loom. This creates a high-quality finish where the pile is less likely to loosen over time.
Features: Typically has a higher upfront cost but better long-term durability.
Types by fibre material
Wool
Description: A natural, eco-friendly fibre known for its softness, resilience, and excellent durability. It's naturally stain-resistant and can absorb and release moisture, helping to regulate humidity.
Features: More expensive than synthetic options but offers superior comfort and longevity.
Best for: Creating a luxurious feel in any room.
Polypropylene
Description: A cost-effective and highly popular synthetic fibre that is fade and stain-resistant. It is non-absorbent, making it easy to clean.
Features: Highly practical and ideal for busy households with children or pets. Can flatten more quickly under heavy traffic compared to wool.
Wool mix
Description: Typically a blend of 80% wool and 20% synthetic fibres (like polypropylene or nylon). This combines the natural softness and resilience of wool with the added durability and stain resistance of synthetic materials.
Features: Offers a balance of comfort, durability, and cost.
Natural fibres
Description: Includes eco-friendly options such as sisal, seagrass, and jute, which are typically used to create flatweave or loop pile carpets.
Features: Provides a rustic, textured look and is very hard-wearing. They can be more challenging to clean and may not be as soft as wool or synthetic options.
Triexta (SmartStrand)
Description: A newer, eco-friendly synthetic fibre made from renewable materials. It is known for its softness, durability, and built-in stain resistance.
Features: Combines the soft feel of premium fibres with the practicality of a tough, stain-resistant material.
HOUSE CARPET
Carpets for a house come in a range of materials, styles, and pile types, each offering different benefits in terms of durability, comfort, and aesthetics. When choosing, it's important to consider factors like foot traffic, budget, and maintenance requirements for each specific room.
Common carpet types
By material
The material (or fiber) of a carpet determines its key characteristics, such as softness, durability, and stain resistance.
Nylon (Polyamide): As the most common synthetic carpet fiber, nylon is known for its durability and resilience, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like hallways and living rooms.
Wool: A premium natural fiber, wool is luxurious and soft, and it insulates well for warmth. It is naturally durable but can be more expensive and harder to clean than synthetics.
Polypropylene (Olefin): An affordable, synthetic fiber that is highly stain-resistant, fade-resistant, and moisture-resistant. However, it can be prone to flattening in high-traffic areas.
Polyester: An affordable synthetic option known for its softness and vibrant colors, though it is not as resilient as nylon.
Natural fibers: Jute, sisal, and seagrass offer an eco-friendly and textural look. Sisal and coir are very durable, while jute is the softest but least hardwearing.
By pile style
The pile is the visible surface of the carpet, and its construction significantly affects both its look and feel.
Cut pile: The yarn loops are cut, creating a soft, plush surface.
Plush/Velvet: A dense, soft, and uniform cut pile, offering a luxurious, formal look. It shows footprints and vacuum marks easily.
Saxony: A longer-cut pile with a classic, elegant finish.
Frieze: A durable, tightly twisted, and textured cut pile that minimizes the appearance of footprints.
Loop pile: The yarn is left in its original uncut loops, making it highly durable and resilient.
Berber: A popular, low-profile loop pile known for its durability. It often features small flecks of color and a rustic texture.
Level loop: A uniform, dense loop pile that is practical for high-traffic areas.
Cut-and-loop pile: Combines both cut and looped yarns to create a patterned or sculpted texture.
STAIRS CARPET & RUNNERS
There are two primary options for carpeting stairs: covering them entirely with a broadloom carpet or installing a narrower stair runner. The best choice depends on your home's traffic levels, desired aesthetic, and budget. For maximum durability and safety, look for low-pile carpets made from wool or nylon.
Broadloom stair carpet
This type covers the entire staircase, including both the treads (where you step) and the risers (the vertical part).
Pros:
Maximum noise reduction. Covering the entire surface provides the most sound dampening for a quieter home.
Increased safety. The cushioned surface provides grip and can lessen injuries from a fall on a hard surface.
Hides imperfections. Fully covering the stairs conceals any wear and tear or damage to the underlying wood.
Cons:
More expensive. Full coverage requires more material and more complex installation, increasing the overall cost.
Covers design features. This option hides the original woodwork of the stairs, which can be a drawback if you have a traditional or historic home.
Stair runners
This is a strip of carpet, often with a finished edge, that runs down the middle of the staircase, leaving the wood visible on either side.
Pros:
Highlights existing woodwork. Runners are ideal for showcasing beautiful wooden floors or painted stairs.
Customizable style. You can add borders, decorative edging, or stair rods for a more refined look.
Less material and cost. Runners require less carpet, making them a more budget-friendly option.
Cons:
Less sound absorption. The exposed wood on either side will not absorb sound like a fully carpeted staircase.
Potential for slips. The exposed wood surface is more slippery than carpeted stairs.
Recommended carpet materials for stairs
Because stairs are a high-traffic area, the material and pile of the carpet are critical for durability and safety.
Nylon: A top choice for stairs, nylon is highly durable, resilient, and stain-resistant. Its fibres spring back into shape after being compressed.
Wool and wool blends: Wool is naturally resilient, stain-repellent, and provides a luxurious feel. Blended options (typically 80% wool and 20% synthetic) offer a balance of warmth, durability, and cost.
Polypropylene (synthetic): A more budget-friendly and stain-resistant option that holds up well to daily wear.
Sisal: A durable and hard-wearing natural fibre that is good for high-traffic areas but can be more expensive.
Loop pile and cut pile: Tightly woven carpets, such as loop pile or twist pile, are ideal for stairs as they resist flattening over time
Types of Stair Runners
Stair Carpet
A classic choice, providing a soft feel and available in various colours and patterns.
Carpet Stair Treads
Individual pieces for each step, these are a great option if you prefer most of the stair to remain visible.
Persian Stair Runner
Known for their intricate patterns and rich colours, Persian runners bring an exotic elegance to any staircase.
Patterned Stair Carpet
Ideal for adding a focal point to your home, available in designs ranging from subtle to bold.
Stair Carpet Runner
Specifically designed for the width of your stairs, these runners leave the edges of the steps visible, framing your staircase beautifully.
Stair Rug
Similar to stair carpet runners, but often featuring more detailed designs and unique textures.
Striped Stair Carpet
Offers a modern, elongating effect to your staircase, making it appear longer and more spacious.
OFFICE CARPET
Commercial office carpeting must balance durability, aesthetics, and acoustics to create a productive environment. Because these carpets are designed to withstand heavy foot traffic, spills, and rolling office chairs, they are often different from residential options
HOSPITALITY CARPET
Performance ratings
To ensure a hospitality carpet meets the necessary standards, manufacturers certify their products based on durability and appearance retention. In Europe, this is done through EN 1307 testing, which assigns traffic ratings:
Class 31: Suitable for light commercial traffic, such as hotel rooms.
Class 32: For normal commercial use in areas like restaurants.
Class 33: Rated for heavy commercial traffic, including hotel reception areas and lobbies.
Hospitality carpets are specially designed for hotels and similar venues, balancing durability and high-performance features with aesthetics and comfort to withstand heavy foot traffic and create a positive guest experience. Key attributes include stain resistance, easy maintenance, and features like cut-and-loop construction for rich texture. They are engineered to provide thermal insulation, contribute to a luxurious feel, and can even incorporate custom branding or logos, all while meeting the demanding needs of public spaces and guest rooms.
Key Features & Benefits:
Durability & Performance:
Engineered for high-traffic areas, these carpets are built to last, offering resistance to wear and tear from busy corridors, lobbies, and guest rooms.
Stain Resistance:
Many hospitality carpets come with special finishes to resist stains, making them easier to clean and maintain, especially in high-use environments.
Aesthetic Appeal:
They offer a wide range of designs, colors, and patterns, from classic luxury to modern styles, helping to create a desired ambiance for any venue.
Comfort & Luxury:
Fibers like natural wool provide exceptional softness and warmth underfoot, enhancing the guest's comfort and adding a sophisticated touch.
Thermal & Acoustic Properties:
The dense fibers in carpets act as a thermal insulator, providing warmth, and can help control noise levels by dampening sound.
Customization:
Many manufacturers offer custom branding, allowing for personalized patterns or the integration of hotel logos to create a unique guest experience.
The thermal insulation provided by carpet fibers can contribute to energy savings by keeping spaces warmer, reducing the need for excessive heating.
Applications:
Hospitality carpets are used throughout a venue, including:
Guest Room Carpets: For comfort and to add a touch of luxury.
Hotel Hallways & Corridors: To withstand heavy foot traffic and provide a welcoming pathway.
Public Spaces: Such as lobbies and event spaces, where style and durability are crucial.
CONTRACT CARPET
A contract carpet, also known as commercial or industrial carpet, is a type of flooring specifically engineered for durability and high traffic in business and public environments. Unlike traditional residential carpets, they are designed to be extremely hard-wearing, long-lasting, and easy to maintain.
Contract carpet is the ideal choice for any commercial setting that experiences high volumes of foot traffic. It is necessary in business and public environments where a residential-grade carpet would quickly show wear and tear. For commercial properties, it is a practical and durable solution that stands up to the rigorous demands of daily use.
AXEMINSTER
Axminster is both a historic type of woven carpet and a modern manufacturing technique known for creating durable, detailed, and colorful patterned carpets. The original hand-woven carpets were developed in Axminster, Devon, England, in 1755. The name now refers to a machine-weaving process that locks each piece of yarn into the carpet's backing.
Key characteristics
Superior craftsmanship: The Axminster weaving process creates a strong, integrated three-dimensional structure. It is valued for its quality and performance retention, making it ideal for both residential and high-traffic commercial use.
Intricate patterns: Axminster looms can produce complex, detailed, and vibrant designs. This versatility allows for almost limitless patterns, including traditional motifs and modern geometric or pictorial designs.
High-quality materials: Most Axminster carpets use an 80% wool and 20% nylon yarn blend. The natural properties of wool provide softness, resilience, and excellent color retention, while the nylon adds strength and durability.
Lasting durability: The weaving method locks each tuft of yarn securely in place, preventing premature wear and shedding. This results in a long-lasting and resilient floor covering, especially suitable for high-traffic areas like hallways, hotels, casinos, and airports.
WILTON CARPETS
A Wilton carpet is a type of woven carpet known for its durability, crisp patterns, and exceptional construction. The name comes from the town of Wilton in England, where the weaving technique originated in the 18th century. The Wilton weaving method is one of the oldest carpet-making styles and is a hallmark of high-quality woven carpets.
Key characteristics of a Wilton carpet:
Woven construction: Unlike tufted carpets, the pile fibers are woven into the carpet's backing simultaneously, creating a single, integrated piece. This makes the carpet extremely strong and resilient.
Durability: The dense, stable construction means Wilton carpets can withstand heavy foot traffic and resist crushing, making them suitable for high-traffic areas in homes and commercial settings.
Pattern definition: The jacquard loom used in the weaving process precisely controls which colored yarns appear on the surface. This allows for clear, crisp designs, often with geometric or repeating floral patterns.
Pattern limitation: Wilton carpets typically use a limited number of colors, historically 5 or 6, which restricts the complexity of designs compared to other weaving methods like Axminster.
Versatility: The weaving technique allows for the creation of both looped and cut pile textures, or a combination of both, providing a range of design options.
Backing: The carpet has a single, strong backing, with unused colored yarns buried within it to provide extra weight and resilience.
Wilton carpets are often compared to Axminster carpets, another type of woven carpet. While both are high-quality, Axminster offers more complex, intricate patterns with more colors, whereas Wilton is prized for its structural stability and crisp, geometric designs.
RUGS/PRAYER MATS
CARPET CLEANING
DOMESTC & COMMERCIAL