Types of FlooringCarpet

Carpet is the universally popular floor covering. From sumptuous plush to rugged Berber tweeds, carpet offers great design while providing comfort, absorbing sound and providing insulation. It comes in an endless array of colors, textures and styles to bring out the personality of any room in the house, including active areas where fashion and function are equally important. Thanks to newer manufacturing technologies, carpet today is available with soil, stain, odor and static-resistant features and is extremely durable.

When choosing carpeting there are three things to consider: style, fiber and padding.

Carpet Styles

Traditional

PLUSH CARPET

This carpet is smooth, soft, clean and luxurious. Although most often used for formal living and dining rooms, it is also perfect for more private areas such as the bedroom or study. Plush is available in a wide variety of colors.

FRIEZE (free-zay)

The nubby look of frieze is both distinctive and practical. This tightly-twisted, textured carpet has a durable surface fiber that is easy to clean, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas. Because it does not easily crush, it minimizes footprints and vacuum marks. Frieze is available in a wide range of colors and densities, in both wool and man-made fibers.

BERBER

This resilient carpet is also a great option for high-traffic areas and families on the go. With a wide variety of textures and colors in earthy tones or flecked styles, is enhances homes of any style including rustic, classic, country, eclectic and contemporary. Its tight loop construction is great for minimizing footprints and vacuum marks.

LOOP CARPET

Handsome and low maintenance, loop carpets are constructed to last. Offering both fashion and longevity, loop carpets are ideal for high traffic areas such as basements, offices and children’s playrooms. This carpet is available in a wide array of colors.

WOOL CARPET

This natural fiber carpet is soft and resilient with lasting good looks. Over time, wool carpets maintain their shape and soft touch. They are also considered a safer option as they are more flame resistant than some synthetic carpets.

INDOOR/OUTDOOR CARPET

These practical, yet stylish carpets are designed to resist fading and withstand the elements. Their durability and resistance to mildew makes them ideal for porches, pools, workshops and basements.

Make a Statement!

TEXTURED CARPET

This cut pile carpeting is both versatile and visually appealing and can lend a custom look to any home. Its slight shimmer complements a casual room, but also meets the higher expectations of a room designed for more formal gatherings. It is comfortable, warm and comes in hundreds of colors.

Fibers

NYLON

The most popular synthetic carpet fiber comes in brilliant colors and is excellent for hiding soil and traffic.

OLEFIN

Also called polypropylene, this fiber is popular in Berber and loop carpets. This fiber is resistant to stains, static, mold and mildew and can be used both indoors and out. However, it is less resistant to matting and crushing than nylon fiber.

POLYESTER

This carpet is soft and offers excellent color clarity. However, it is not as durable as nylon fiber.

ACRYLIC

Acrylic looks and feels like wool, but is mold and mildew resistant and has low static levels. It is used primarily in loop carpets and bath mats.

WOOL

Although somewhat more expensive, wool provides great bulk, performance and elegance. 

ECO-FRIENDLY FIBERS

• Sisal
• Coir (coconut fiber)
• Seagrass
• Jute
• Hemp

Padding

There are three basic types of cushion, each available in different grades, which vary by weight (density), thickness and the amount of force it takes to compress the cushion.

FOAM

The most common is bonded foam (sometimes called rebond), which is formed by combining shredded foam into one solid piece.  Other forms include prime, which is similar to the cushioning in upholstered furniture, and froth, thin, dense foam that is useful in commercial areas with wide expanses of carpet.

RUBBER

Waffled rubber provides a soft, resilient cushion that is ideal for residences. Flat rubber is a firm, dense cushion that is normally used in large-scale commercial applications and with loop or Berber carpet.

FIBER

Natural fibers are one of the oldest types of carpet cushions and include felt, animal hair and jute. Synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, polypropylene and acrylics are relatively dense and firm.

ECO-FRIENDLY PADDING

Because of its thermal and acoustic qualities, cork makes an excellent option for carpet underlayment. The eco-friendly material is taken from the bark of the cork oak tree without damaging the tree itself.

What Else to Consider When Buying Carpet

• Study samples at home, and remember that the color of a room-size carpet will be more intense than the samples.
• As hair, dust and pollen get stuck in carpet fibers, they may not be ideal for those who have allergies.
• Sound-absorbing fibers and proper padding mean quieter rooms, making carpet a popular choice for second-story hallways and bedrooms.
• Carpet may be a challenge to clean if it is used in areas that are subject to stains and moisture, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms.
• In high-traffic areas, consider stain-resistant carpeting such as Dupont Sorona® Smartstrand® or Stainmaster^® with technologies that push soils and spills away, for easier clean up and longer-lasting carpet.
• Carpet in strong, bold colors may limit your future options when repainting walls or changing furniture.
• Good padding is a good value. Although the up front cost may be more, selecting higher grade padding in the beginning can add years to the life of your carpet, especially in high-traffic areas.

Custom Rugs

Can’t find exactly what you’re looking for? Custom rugs are the natural solution. From traditional to abstract designs we can create a rug perfectly suited to your space. We can even duplicate patterns from draperies, upholstery, wallpaper and logos.