Carpet - What is it?
Carpet can add value to your property, brighten the inside of your house or simply keep your feet warm and comfortable. The modern type of carpet has been around in European interiors since the 18th century. Today, the textile floor covering comes in a variety of styles, is affordable, and can cover any area of your home.
Carpet - What is it made of?
Carpet is typically made of blended or single fibres, both natural and synthetic. Fibres are chosen for their appearance, durability and cost, as well as their ease of manufacture. Nylons and polypropylene yarn constructions make up 90 percent of the commercial market. Here’s a closer look at some of the fibres used to construct carpet:
- Nylon:The most common material used to construct carpets, nylon is considered sturdy, although it’s also considered particularly susceptible to stain, due in part to dye sites on the fibre. Nylon is petroleum-based. The price, therefore, varies.
- Polyester:The yarn is usually used in mid- to low-cost carpeting and is relatively stain-resistant, but it tends to mat down easily.
- Polypropylene:The product is relatively inexpensive and more stain-resistant than nylon, although it’s difficult to dye and not as sturdy as nylon or wool. However, Berber carpets are commonly constructed with polypropylene. The polypropylene is then called olefin. Olefin Berber carpets with small loops typically last longer and keep their appearance longer than their large loop counterparts.
- Wool:Although durable, wool is fairly expensive and therefore makes up a smaller portion of the market. Wool, though, is durable and can be easily dyed. Wool blended with synthetic fibres, like nylon, are considered even more durable. A common wool-synthetic fibre blend is 80-20 (80 percent wool, 20 percent synthetic fibre).
Carpet types:
Carpet has evolved a great deal over the centuries. Below is a look at the more common types of carpet.
- Woven:Due to the time it takes to manufacture them, woven carpets are typically the most expensive. The pile is either plush, a cut pile, or Berber, a loop pile. Woven carpets can also have numerous colored yarns.
- Needle felt:Needle felts are extremely durable and typically found in places like hotels. The synthetic fibres are intermingled and felted by using forked and barbed needles, giving it its durability.
- Knotted:Shag made knotted carpets popular in the 1970s. Hand-knotting is used to construct Oriental rugs and carpets and Kashmir carpets.
- Tufted:The most common way of manufacturing domestic carpets, tufted carpets have their pile inserted into a type of backing material. It’s then bonded to a secondary backing to provide stability.
Where else can I use carpet?
The floor isn’t the only place where carpet can be installed. Below are a few other places to consider:
- Wall-to-wall:Wall-to-wall carpet is easy to maintain and can help keep homes insulated. Maintenance typically requires vacuuming.
- Stairs:Carpet that’s installed on stairs can make it easier to traverse up and down, particularly for small children.
- Outside:There are types of synthetic carpets that can withstand the elements, thereby making patio areas easier to maintain.
With so many carpet options available, it is no wonder it is so widely used in homes and businesses worldwide.
Please remember the above is just a guide and you should seek professional advice.
