Carpet Piles Explained

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Types of Carpet Piles

Carpet Piles Explained

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Pile defines the height of the carpet fibers from the carpet surface to the backing. A carpet is either a high, medium or low pile. There are different carpet pile types, each with its perks and downsides.

You can measure a carpet pile using a small ruler or any measuring device in inches.

Types of Carpet Piles

High Pile Carpet

A high or deep pile carpet has tall fibers with a height of ½ inch to ¾ inch. A shag rug is a solid choice for a deep pile carpet. Shag carpets are made of strands of yarn or upright loops.

Deep pile carpets are challenging to vacuum, so placing them in low-traffic areas is ideal. They bring coziness to bedroom spaces and last long with proper maintenance.

Medium Pile Carpet

Medium pile carpets have a fiber height ranging from ¼ to ½ inch. While medium piles are easier to maintain than deep pile carpets, they trap dirt between the fibers. Choose a medium pile carpet if you want a soft underfoot that withstands high foot traffic without matting.

Low Pile Carpet

A low pile carpet has dense fibers with a height of ¼ inch or less. The shorter piles are easy to vacuum. Because of the thick fibers, crumbs and dirt sit on the carpet surface. It’s also easier to remove stains on a low pile than on a medium or high-pile carpet.

These carpet types are best for dining areas, living rooms, and kids’ playrooms. Loops and Berber-style carpets are examples of low piles.

Woven Carpet Pile

Woven carpet piles are made using a traditional loom. The machine interlaces two or more sets of yarn to form a carpet. Wool, cotton, and silk make this type of carpet pile.

1. Flat Weave

Unlike other carpet types, flat weave carpets and rugs lack a tufted pile. The carpet fibers (weft) are threaded through the warp vertically, creating a flat weave. The carpet backing also has the same pattern; you can position the carpet on either side.

Most flat-weave carpets are made from natural fibers like wool, cotton, and jute. Because of their flat surface, flat weave carpets are easy to clean using a vacuum. You can also blot stains using a towel.

2. Axminster

Axminster carpeting designs use traditional weaving to form a carpet. The technique involves weaving the yarn through a loom. The loom selects a yarn, cuts it, and attaches the U-shaped tuft to the backing.

Axminster carpets are unique, with a blend of colors and patterns. They are the best carpets for any space, from high-end hotels to small apartments and receptions.

3. Wilton

Wilton carpets also use a traditional weaving method. Yet, for Wilton carpets, yarn is woven into a continuous loop. The yarn is cut after attaching the pile to the backing.

Wilton carpets are available in simple patterns and various texture options. They are stable with a strong construction suitable for high-traffic corridors and rooms.

Cut Pile

A cut pile carpet has cut yarns that stand straight up in a cluster. The pile resists crushing and matting and has a soft underfoot. When selecting a cut-pile carpet, you should check its twist. A good quality cut pile carpet will have a tight twist with a high face density.

1. Cut-Loop Pile

Cut & loop pile is a blend of looped yarns and cut ends. It mixes cut and uncut loops that form uniform or varying heights. Cut and loop pile makes different designs, patterns, and textures. Manufacturers use this style to create three-dimensional and sculptured effects on carpets.

Cut and loop create a visual pattern and texture on a carpet. The downside is the fibers tend to have a worn-out appearance. For this reason, the style makes stunning area rugs. Cut and loop carpets are available in various qualities. It’s best to determine the amount of foot traffic before making a purchase.

2. Velvet

Also known as velour or plus, velvet pile carpets are popular for their elegant feel. They’re sheared to give them an even finish. Velvet feels comfortable underfoot. Unlike twisted yards, its fibers are straighter and have cut ends at the top. Its surface level is smooth and ranges from 5mm to 10mm long.

Velvet carpets are made from natural or synthetic fibers like nylon or polypropylene. They’re ideal for areas with moderate foot traffic. Having a luxurious finish makes them pricier than other carpet types.

3. Shag Pile

Shag pile carpets were mainstream in the 70s. As the name suggests, they have a fuzzy appearance. Shag rugs consist of straight loops or yarn strands. They feature long woven fibers with a pile of up to 50 mm long.

Their loose texture makes them feel soft underfoot. But, shag piles are prone to flattening. Since it has a high pile, the carpet type requires more maintenance.

4. Saxony Pile

Saxony is a conventional cut-pile carpet with straight fibers. The fiber strands are cut into even lengths. The pile is compact to make the carpet feel soft underfoot. It has a classic, luxurious look but may not blend with other decor items in a room.

Textured Saxony carpets have thick layers to prevent color fading. The layers also help prevent vacuum marks or footprints. To create a smooth texture, Saxony pile carpets are woven in loops. The loops are also sheared off to give them a tufted look.

5. Twist Pile

Twist pile carpets have a textured look. They’re made from compact, twisted yarn to achieve this look. Twist pile carpets are ideal for large living rooms with high foot traffic. The textured design makes the carpet design suitable for hiding vacuum marks.

It’s easy to maintain twist carpet piles. They’re durable and come in different shades. Twisting the yarn makes the fibers denser. It reduces the rate of flattening and softens the tufted ends.

6. Textured Cut Pile

Unlike cut pile carpets, textured types have uneven fiber lengths. Some manufacturers may use the terms “cut pile” or “textured” to describe the same carpet style.

Twisting the fibers creates an uneven look that makes the carpet style durable. Cutting the yarns to different lengths creates a thicker feel. As a result, the carpet style gets a solid resistance to footprints.

Loop Pile

Loop piles come in different colors and patterns. These carpet piles are popular since they are durable and versatile. Loop pile carpets need extra care when vacuuming and moving furniture. When a single loop pulls out, it could cause runs in the carpet if not restored. Loop pile carpets can either be Berber, textured, multi-level, or level loop.

1. Berber Pile

A Berber pile is a short thick construction looped together. They are available in wool, polyester, and nylon materials. Due to their low pile, Berber carpets handle high foot traffic and resist wear.

A Berber loop carpet is distinct for its multi-color flecks spread through the carpet or in a pattern. Most Berber carpets are stain-resistant and less quick to absorb wine spills and sauces. Though it appears outdated, Berber is one of the best carpeting styles for hallways, stairs, and office buildings.

2. Patterned Loop Pile

Patterned loop pile carpets have slight height variations in the loops. This style is also known as Textured Loop Pile. Combining two or three-loop pile heights creates a textured finish on the carpet.

A patterned loop carpet conceals footprints and vacuum marks. Its attractive patterns and textures make it the ideal carpet for a high-traffic family room.

3. Multi-Level Pile

A multi-level pile features varying loop heights with several color combinations. The carpeting style is similar to patterned loop piles but more significantly different in loop sizes. Its loop height difference results in a textured pile. Multi-level pile carpets are ideal for medium to high-traffic areas.

4. Level Loop Pile

The fibers in a level loop pile are all the same height. A level pile creates a smooth and even carpet surface but makes the carpet less soft. Level loops can be thin or thick. Smaller loops that are tightly woven are resistant to matting and crashing.

A drawback to level loop pile carpets is that the loops pull, which is difficult to restore. There might be better carpeting styles for households with pets and kids. Nonetheless, level loop carpets are easy to clean and do not trap dirt between the fibers.

Flat vs. Shaggy Pile

Flat pile carpets are suitable for homeowners who value a uniform tidy look. Vacuuming and removing stains on a low pile is more manageable than on a shaggy pile. Moving furniture on a low pile is also more practical due to the flat surface.

The full, lengthy fibers on shaggy carpets keep their original appearance over time. They are more durable when placed in low and medium-traffic areas. There are several ways to restore a shaggy carpet pile. Homeowners rake their shag carpet to undo the matting on the long shag fibers.

Unlike a flat pile carpet, a shaggy carpet creates a cozy and warm space. Low-pile carpets are more suitable for formal settings. You should also pick a flat pile carpet if you suffer from allergies. They collect less dirt and allergens and are also easier to vacuum.

Tufted vs. Woven Carpet Pile

Woven carpet piles are more durable than tufted carpets. They’re often made of pure wool or blend. Woven carpets are made by weaving material together. They come in three types—axminster, wilton woven, and flat wave.

Since tufted carpets consist of synthetic materials like nylon, they’re cheaper to produce. Tufted carpets are available in two types—hand-tufted and machine tufted. Hand-tufted carpets are of a higher quality.

They’re second to woven carpets in durability. Woven carpets have a deeper texture since the yarns are pre-dyed. Printed tufted carpets may fade over time as they use color injection.

Carpet piles are available in many shades. Finding a carpet style that suits your home decor is easy. The first step is to know how your lifestyle stacks up against a carpet style. Consider the foot traffic in different rooms before choosing a carpet pile. You also need to check the manufacturer’s warranty terms.