Types of Carpet

Types of carpet by pile style

One of the most important choices you’ll make when buying carpet for your living space is the pile style. There are two main types, loop pile and cut pile, each with several variations.

Loop pile carpets have loops of material that extend from the backing and loop back into the backing, so there are no exposed ends. Cut pile carpets have material that extends from the backing but doesn’t loop back down, so the ends of the material are exposed.

Loop pile is more resistant to staining because there are no exposed ends that can easily absorb liquids and dirt, but it’s also more prone to snagging and isn’t as comfortable underfoot. Cut pile carpeting is softer, offers more comfort and is better at reducing noise in your room, though it’s more likely to stain and soil, and it usually shows wear and foot traffic more easily.

Loop pile carpet types

There’s really only one type of loop pile carpet, usually called Berber pile, but you can choose carpeting with level loops or with multi-level loops. Level loops create a more uniform appearance, while multi-level loops can create patterns on your floor for more customization.

Loop pile carpet hides footprints and vacuum lines better than cut pile carpet, and it’s more resilient to wear, so it’s ideal in main living areas that see heavier foot traffic. It is harder to clean, though, and the loops can more easily snag on things like pet nails, which can result in visible pulls.

Cut pile carpet types

There are a few different styles of cut pile carpet you can choose from.

• Plush: A plush carpet has densely packed and twisted fibers all cut to the same length, usually quite short. This creates a very soft and luxurious feel underfoot, and the short pile length helps hide footprints and vacuum lines.
• Textured plush: Textured plush is just like plush carpeting, but you have different pile lengths that create some patterning across the floor. Fibers are still densely packed and twisted, and the varying heights can help hide footprints and vacuum lines.
• Saxony: Saxony is similar to plush, but the fibers are longer. This creates a very soft and luxurious feel underfoot, but the long fiber length makes footprints and vacuum lines very obvious.
• Frieze: Frieze carpet has cut piles that manufacturers can set into tight twists using heat. The piles are also crimped, which helps improve durability and hide footprints and vacuum lines. Frieze is the most durable and lowest-maintenance design for cut pile carpeting.

Cut-and-loop carpet

You can also choose cut-and-loop carpeting, which mixes loop piles and cut piles for even more pattern customization. The combination can help make footprints and vacuum lines less obvious on your flooring while still providing some of the cushioning and sound dampening of cut pile carpeting.

Carpet pile styles compared

Use the table below to compare the different pile styles and get a better idea of which is best for your space.

Types of carpet fiber materials

You also choose from different carpet fiber materials, including nylon, olefin, polyester, triexta and wool. In combination with the pile style, your carpet material can determine how comfortable your carpet is, how easy it is to maintain, how long it lasts and how resistant it is to staining.

Nylon carpet

Nylon is the most popular carpet material, largely because it’s the most durable and resistant to wear. The best carpet brands offer the most color, texture and pile options for nylon carpets. It’s ideal in high-traffic areas where you want carpeting, and it will usually boast the longest lifespan of any material.

As a synthetic material, nylon also resists mold and mildew well, and it won’t attract moths like natural fibers can. Plus, it holds up against crushing, so it won’t easily show footprints or vacuum lines. It can stain, but most carpet manufacturers treat the fibers to reduce the risk of staining and soiling.

Olefin carpet

Olefin is another synthetic fiber that’s slightly less durable and more prone to crushing compared to nylon. However, it’s the most water-resistant carpet material, so it’s the best option for outdoor carpeting and carpeted basements, where leaks and moisture are more common.

Polyester carpet

Polyester is a synthetic carpet fiber that is similar to nylon but is slightly less durable. It comes with lower carpet installation costs thanks to cheaper materials, and it resists stains better, but most importantly, it feels softer and more luxurious. That’s why it’s more common in bedrooms, where homeowners are more likely to want a plush, cushioned feel underfoot.

It doesn’t wear as well as nylon, which is another reason it’s more popular in less-trafficked rooms, like bedrooms.

Triexta carpet

Triexta is one of the newer carpeting materials that became commercially available in the early 2000s. It’s really a subclass of polyester carpeting, but it offers better stain resistance even without treatment.

Wool carpet

Wool is the most popular natural carpet material and sustainable option, in part because it naturally resists wear and staining well. However, the material can attract pests that feed on natural fibers, like moths, and it’s susceptible to mold and mildew, making it less viable in areas that may experience dampness.

Wool carpeting can also be challenging to clean, so it may not be ideal for people with allergies, as it can trap pollen, pet dander and other allergens.

Carpet pile height and face weight

After pile style and carpet fiber material, the most important factors to consider when choosing carpeting for your space are the pile height and face weight. These two factors have a major impact on the look, feel and maintenance requirements of your carpet.

Pile height refers to the length of the loops or cut piles above the carpet backing, and face weight tells you how much the actual carpet fibers weigh per square yard. Together, they determine how densely packed your carpet’s fibers are, which affects how it feels underfoot and how well it holds up to foot traffic.

Low pile vs. high pile

Carpeting with a low pile height, usually closer to ¼”, hides footprints and vacuum lines better because the piles are more resistant to crushing. The trade-off is you’ll be vacuuming more, as low-pile carpet shows dirt and soiling more readily, plus the carpet provides less cushioning and doesn’t feel as plush underfoot.

High-pile carpets are more comfortable to walk on within a given pile style because you have more material under your feet. They hide dirt better, too, but they’re harder to clean.

Low-pile carpets are more durable, which makes them more popular in high-traffic areas, like living rooms, while high-pile carpets are more supple and are ideal in low-traffic spaces, like bedrooms. You can also choose a medium pile for the best of both worlds.

How face weight affects comfort and durability

When comparing carpets made of the same fiber with the same pile style and height, the one with the higher face weight has more fibers packed into each square yard. That makes it more comfortable underfoot and more luxurious-feeling. Denser pile also resists crushing better, so footprints and vacuum lines are less obvious.

Similarly, a higher face weight helps increase the durability and lifespan of your carpet. Tightly packed fibers support each other, so they bend and shift less under your feet, and there’s more material to stand up to everyday wear, so they hold up better to twisting, pivoting and furniture being dragged across them.

Other factors to consider

Tuft density is another important point to consider, especially when comparing carpets with different fibers, pile heights or face weights. It tells you how many tufts are packed into each square inch, making it a better measure than face weight alone, since a carpet can have a high face weight but a low tuft density if it uses a heavier fiber or a taller pile.

Twist level refers to how tightly the manufacturer twists the fibers together and sets them in place using heat. A tighter twist will create a more durable carpet that hides soiling, footprints and vacuum lines better, but as twist level increases, the carpet can feel more abrasive underfoot.

Types of carpet for each room

With so many options, choosing a single type of carpet for your flooring project can quickly get overwhelming, so it’s helpful to optimize your choice based on the room and how it’s used.

What to look for when deciding on carpeting

As you compare flooring options for different rooms, you should consider all of the following factors to make sure you get the best option for your space.

• Foot traffic: Go with a low pile height and a Berber pile for maximum durability and to hide footprints. Wool and nylon are the best materials to resist wear.
• Pet traffic: A cut pile is better for areas that will see heavy pet activity, as loop piles can easily snag on pet nails. Choose a stain-resistant carpet, like polyester or triexta.
• Stain risk: Polyester and triexta are stain-resistant, making them good options for dining rooms. Nylon can be suitable, but make sure your manufacturer treats the carpet to boost stain resistance.
• Risk of moisture: Carpet isn’t the best choice for rooms, like bathrooms or basements, that may experience leaks, large spills or heavy moisture. If you do want carpet in these areas, choose an olefin carpet, which has the best moisture resistance. Go with a low pile height to help speed up the drying process.
• Comfort: Homeowners looking for the softest and most luxurious underfoot feel should choose a polyester carpet with Saxony piles. Opt for a high tuft density and face weight.
• Noise control: Most carpeting will help reduce noise in your space. To maximize noise reduction, choose a high-pile carpet with cut piles and a high tuft density.
• Safety: A low-pile or medium-pile carpet with cut piles is safest on stairs, with reduced cushioning and better footing with less lateral movement.
• Budget: Polyester and olefin are more affordable than nylon and are good options if you’re on a tight budget. To cut costs further, pick a style with lower tuft density, keeping in mind they won’t be quite as comfortable.

Professional flooring companies will consider all of these factors to help you choose the best type of carpet or other flooring material for your next flooring project.

Best carpet types for bedrooms

A polyester carpet with Saxony or plush piles, along with a high pile height, face weight and tuft density, is the best carpet option for bedrooms. This maximizes comfort and noise-dampening effects, and the obvious footprints on the surface won’t be an issue in a room that sees minimal foot traffic.

Best carpet types for living rooms

Living rooms experience a lot of foot traffic, so here, you want to optimize for durability. Select a nylon carpet with a low pile height for the best results. A looped Berber carpet will maximize durability, but for a balance of longevity and comfort or if you have pets, choose a frieze, which has tightly twisted cut pile.

Still, most homeowners choose more durable materials for longevity and value over carpeting in their busiest spaces. Hardwood, engineered wood and vinyl are some of the best flooring options for living rooms.

Best carpet types for stairs

Safety is the main concern on stairs, so go with a low or medium pile height to improve stability and reduce lateral movement as you walk. A cut pile is best for reducing the risk of trips.

Best carpet types for basements

Olefin carpets are the most resistant to moisture, making them the best choice for basements. Choose a low pile height to help speed up drying in the case that your carpet does get wet. If your basement sees heavy foot traffic, go with a Berber pile carpet for durability.

FAQ

Bottom line

The best carpet for your home depends on how each room is used. Low-pile nylon is a durable choice for busy living areas, while softer, high-pile polyester works well in bedrooms. If you have pets, choose cut pile to avoid snagging on claws, and consider polyester or triexta for stain resistance. Compare pile style, fiber material, height and density together to find a balance of comfort, durability and cost.