What Is Berber Carpet?

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What Is Berber Carpet?

What Is Berber Carpet?

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Berber is a carpet type made of tiny loops that aren’t cut but woven together. Most Berber carpets have light colors and feature looped pile styles. The carpet type dates back to the Stone Age era.

It’s named after the “Berber Tribe” of North Africa. Berber carpets are common in home and office flooring options. They’re durable, stain-resistant, and inexpensive.

Pros:

• Durable: Berber carpets are more durable than other residential types. It feels sturdier when looped than cut. The carpet type is low pile and has a tight weave.
• Available in different materials: Berber carpets are made from nylon, polypropylene, and wool. The right material depends on your needs and budget.
• Low maintenance: Since the carpet has a loop style, it’s easy to keep it clean. Spills don’t soak into the fibers. Instead, they sit on the surface.
• Inexpensive: Since Berber carpets are easier to manufacture, they’re cheaper than other types. It’s worth noting that the price varies depending on the type of fiber.

Cons:

• Snagging or running: If you have pets, you may have to deal with snags. Cats like scratching the texture of looped carpets. Snagging and running tend to appear on the carpet’s edges.
• Coarse texture: Since they feature a loop style, Berber carpets aren’t as soft as cut-pile carpets.

Berber carpets are common as they blend with different decor designs. Besides offices and basement floors, Berber is becoming mainstream in various residential rooms. There are two types of Berber carpets—modern and traditional.

1. Modern Berber carpets are more popular. They feature a loop style resembling handmade knots. They’re available in both natural and synthetic fibers like polypropylene.
2. Traditional Berber carpets consist of natural fiber materials like wool. They feature colored geometric patterns.

Common Berber Carpet Materials

1. Wool

Wool is a natural fiber type, but it’s a bit pricier. The price ranges from $17 to $35 per square meter. It’s a sturdy material, luxurious, and feels soft underfoot. The downside of wool Berber carpets is they’re challenging to maintain.

2. Polypropylene

Most manufacturers sell Berber carpets made of polypropylene. Polypropylene is mainstream since it’s inexpensive yet durable. It’s easy to clean polypropylene Berber carpets using regular household detergents.

The material also generates static electricity. Though its pile may flatten over time, it’s an inexpensive and low-maintenance option.

3. Nylon

Nylon is a synthetic carpet fiber that’s durable and easy to clean. Berber carpets made of nylon have a mid-range price tag. The synthetic fiber tends to last longer than polypropylene. Nylon Berber carpets are ideal for high-traffic areas like stairs or hallways.

4. Polyester/ Olefin

Polyester Berber carpets cost around $1 and $2 per square foot. While this might sound like a good bargain, the carpet fiber is not popular. It wears fast in high traffic areas, and also pills. The carpet flattens and forms fluff balls on the surface, making it look old.

Berber vs. Frieze Carpets

Berber carpets are more common in contemporary decor designs. Frieze is better at concealing footprints or vacuum lines. It’s a bit more shaggy, and its fibers are independent, so they can bend in different directions. Berber is tighter and more uniform since it’s a looped type.

Frieze has more twists to enhance durability. Berber carpets feel less soft but are ideal for high foot-traffic areas. Since they’re a cut-pile carpet, Frieze will feel softer than a looped type.

The downside to Frieze carpets is they don’t come in different sculptured patterns. They also cost more but last longer. Both carpet types are made of wool, olefin, or nylon.

Berber vs. Saxony Carpets

Saxony carpets have a straight-cut pile texture. Most Saxony carpets are available in wool blends or synthetic fibers. Manufacturers of Berber carpets tend to use pure wool. Berber carpets have a hand-made appearance and feature a tight loop texture. There are two types of Saxony carpets—straight and textured.

Textured Saxony carpets are newer in the market. They resemble the straight type but feature fibers twisted in different directions. Both have a retro look and are durable under proper maintenance.

Saxony is suitable for low-traffic areas but doesn’t need much care. Unlike Berber Carpets, it doesn’t hide dirt and stains.

Berber Carpet vs. Wood Flooring

Berber carpets are durable, but it depends on the fiber used. If you’re installing hardwood flooring, you can expect it to last longer. But it depends on the amount of foot traffic and how you maintain it. Both can last longer without losing their visual appeal.

It’s easier to mop away stains on wood flooring. Stains may ruin the wood flooring if it’s of low quality. Wood floors have a sophisticated look, but Berber carpets come in many patterns.

You can choose a color scheme that matches your floor design. Berber carpets offer a soft walking surface and insulate the room. Wood floors are ideal for areas like the kitchen prone to spills.

Berber carpets are well-liked for their bright hues and flecks of darker patterns. Having looped styles make them durable and easier to maintain.

Both residential and commercial Berber carpets are suitable for heavy foot traffic. When purchasing a Berber carpet, consider the type of material, your needs, and your budget.