Carpets are an integral part of home décor and furnishings and sometimes they light up a room just being the most attractive element of your home. There are so many different types of carpets available that spoil you for choices. Most homes have some carpet or other and many also believe in maintaining them well and take help of professional service providers for their upkeep.
Usually people buy a carpet more from visual and aesthetic preference but do not know or understand the elements that make up the carpet. Most professional services providers who help preserve your mattresses and carpets like carpet cleaning services and mattress cleaning services do share the secrets to good maintenance that largely lies in the fabric, and other smaller details. Having some knowledge helps in choosing and preserving your carpets and mattresses.
Types of Carpet Fibres
There are several types of carpet fibres like nylon, acrylic, wool, polyester, and polypropylene. The Fibres yarns are looped through backing material. This is similar to stitching a button to a blouse. The fibre loops may be cut at different lengths and angles or left intact as they are. The carpet pile refers to how the fibre loops are treated. When choosing a carpet you have to take into account the type of fibre it has and of course the pile—that is how loops and carpet backing are attached to one another. Just observing these two factors decide on the carpet comfort, its feel as you step on it and how it is likely to last or wear.
Nylon: These are hardy yet soft, and have good resistance to abrasion and stains. By and large this is the most popular option chosen by consumers. Around two thirds of most synthetic carpets are nylon based. It can be resistant to mold, mildew, rot and wear. It’s easy to dye and retains its colour well. Though it is more expensive than other synthetic carpets it’s less expensive than wool carpets and is available at an affordable range. If maintained well they can last up to 15 years.
Polyester: This variety is valued for its ability to retain colourful, fade resistant shades. It is manmade. Its fibres are not allergy producing when compared to others. Some of these carpets are made through recycling plastic bottles. The one main disadvantage is that it has a tendency to get flattened under weight. So such types should not be selected if you are considering buying one for high-traffic areas. Also oil stains are difficult to remove from such types and it’s quick to catch oil stains.
Wool: This is a long lasting, rich and natural material and has the softest fibre in the carpet segment. But if the wool is low grade, it would be prone to staining. On the other hand, high grade varieties are quite a pinch on the pocket. Some carpet makers produce a mix of wool with synthetic fibre blend to make items with benefits of both. So Acrylic/Wool mix is commonly found.
There are no chemicals or additives in pure wool making them an excellent option for those with allergies or those being sensitive to chemicals. But since its made from natural material it can come under spoilage from mould and mildew, as these feed off organic things. So in areas of high humidity or moisture content choosing wool is not a good thing as it would invite problems. This is something all service providers of professional carpet cleaning would also share.
Acrylic: Commonly termed also as synthetic wool it looks and feels like wool but comes at much lower price. Acrylic is quite resistant to static electricity, mildew, moisture, fading and from stains. But it is not good for high traffic areas as it’s not too durable. Often it comes mixed with wool. Acrylic carpets tend to get brown if there are alkaline chemical spills found in many cleaning items.
Olefin or Polypropylene: This is a popular fibre used in commercial areas and is catching up also in residential units. They are soft much like nylon. They are used like synthetic wool substitute and are very similar to natural wool. It is stain resistant to quite a good degree but has a tendency to collect dirt if soiling happens through oil or greasy spills. But it has its advantages as it is very easy to clean. Professional carpet and matress cleaning services suggest use of bleach.
This is not as hardy as nylon. They are used for berbers or loop style carpets. They cost marginally less than nylon carpets but higher than acrylic and polyester ones.
Types of Pile
Loop Pile: This leaves the whole fibre yarn loop intact on the surface of the carpet. They come in many types like level loop, where all loops are of equal length. Patterned loops are those where loops are in unequal lengths. It is common to see carpets in cut and loop construction where some fibres are cut and some are looped. But loops of uncut piles can cause pets and children to buckle over.
Cut Pile: In this type of carpet the exposed fibers are trimmed off making the carpets easy to clean and soft. This type works best in areas or homes where the entire floor is carpet covered. Disadvantage of this type is that the footmarks look very prominent.
Saxony Cut: This refers to a specific type of cut pile carpet where it has soft dense fibres. These short fibres stand up and down giving a lush, fuzzy feel to the surface. But this type is sensitive to heavy foot traffic and vacuuming that leaves marks on its surface. It’s prone to stains and wear. It is best for calmer low traffic areas.
Plush Pile: Also termed velvet-cut pile, this style is a variation of cut pile where fibers are shorter than the Saxony ones and richly dense giving it a luxurious feel. But this is a delicate type and should be used in low traffic areas.
All manufacturers, retailers and professional carpet cleaning services and elsewhere would say knowing the above information would assist you in selecting better for the area you want the cover for.
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