Choosing a carpet
Manufacture
Most carpets sold in the UK are woven or tufted.
Woven
Weaving pile yarn and backing fabric together is the traditional way to make
carpets. Woven carpets keep their appearance and last a long time but are
pricier than tufted carpets. The two types are Axminster, which is patterned,
and Wilton, which is often plain but can contain up to five colours.
Tufted
Most wool carpets are tufted – they’re quicker and cheaper to make, which is
done by inserting pile yarn into backing fabric and adding another backing
layer. Tufted carpets have a more limited range of patterns and colours than
Axminsters.
Fibres
Picking the right fibre for a room is the most important thing to consider to
prevent your carpet from wearing out too soon. Fibres are natural or synthetic –
these can be used together in carpets.
Wool Carpets
This is the most widely used fibre and is recognised as the best – it’s soft,
springy, easy to clean, will retain its colour and appearance for years, and is
naturally flame resistant.
Synthetic
These fibres are recommended for bathroom carpets, particularly in homes with
young children where the carpet can get soaked and wool carpets would absorb
moisture.
• Nylon is very hard-wearing – good for heavy foot traffic in areas such
as the hall. It’s cheaper than wool but it lacks some of a wool carpets
long-term benefits. It’s often used as a 20% blend with wool for added
durability.
• Polypropylene is cheaper than nylon for blends. Polypropylene carpets are
stain resistant and durable, but may flatten quickly more quickly than wool
carpets and is flammable.
• Polyester wears well but it also flattens quickly.
Textures
Carpets come in a wide range of textures that affect feel, appearance and
performance.
Shorter pile wool carpets such as twist and loop wear better and are easier to
maintain than longer pile, such as shag and Saxony, but aren’t as luxurious. And
avoid loop textures if you have pets with claws.
Stair
Carpets |
Carpet Quote |
Home Living
Room Carpet
| Bathroom
Carpet |
Carpet
Offcuts
| Carpets for
Less |
Bedroom
Carpets |
Twist Carpet |
Wool Hirst
Carpet
| Berber
Carpets |
Wool Berber
Carpets
| Mayfield
Carpets |
Wool
Carpets |
Ryalux Carpets