Piles, fibers and trends: Here's everything you need to know about choosing carpet
Carpet has been and continues to be, the go-to flooring choice. And for good reason! A well-maintained carpet should last 10-15 years. Carpet also insulates up to 17 times better than other surfaces, and the fibers hold heat – reducing energy bills and making it comfy to walk on. All of that, and it's quiet to walk on, durable, nonslip and is good value!
Carpet trends
With so many styles, the options may seem endless. If you're wondering what's popular right now, here are 5 trends in carpet:
Carpet made with recycled pop bottles or corn
This carpet is extremely popular, partly because the durability is superior to most carpets available today. The "Everstrand" is made from recycled pop bottles and the "Smart strand" is made from corn husk, both available from Allan Rug Company. This style of carpet also gets bonus points for being kid-friendly and pet-friendly.
High cut pile white carpet
It may not be as pet-friendly as the previous option, but it's super soft to walk on and rather glamorous. It's now popular in bedrooms and walk-in closets.
Silk-style woolen carpets
These carpets are made to look like silk, but are actually made from wool and luxcelle. We love this luxe-looking Twilight Trellis in Moonlight from Alexanian.
Carpet tile
Carpet tiles, such as these ones from Allan Rug Company, are popular with families because of the incredibly convenient option of replacing a single tile if it gets damaged. There's also the easy DIY installation to consider! This style of carpet works well for wall-to-wall carpeting and rugs. And you can put your own unique twist on your flooring with this style by mixing and matching patterns for a one-of-kind look.
Loop carpet
This is by far, the most popular trend in wall-to-wall carpeting. It adds pattern and interest to any room while allowing the furnishings to stay simple. You can really make a statement with the Blue Kilim from the S&C Collection, Missoni Black & While Stripe and the Missoni Classic Chevron, all from Allan Rug Company. We also love the Donegal and the Lenox from Alexanian.
Carpet fibers
Now you know some of the trends, but there are a lot of other factors that go selecting a carpet shopping. Let's face it – buying new carpet can be very confusing. Let's talk fibre types! Unfortunately, there is no perfect fiber [yet!] and carpet is a fabric that is subjected to incredible abuse. That said, there have been lots of advances in the technology that goes into them. These are the most common types of broadloom:
Wool
Wool is an all-natural fiber with no chemicals. It also works wonders by purifying indoor air, and inhibiting dust mites and bacteria growth. It's popular for its hypoallergenic properties and great for families because it naturally repels liquids. Wool carpets, such as the ones from the S&C Collection, don't show dirt as easily as their synthetic counterparts! However, wool is also the most expensive type of carpet.
Nylon
Nylon is by far the most-used carpet fiber with almost 75% of today's carpets made of nylon. And for good reason! Nylon is durable and resilient with good stain resistance and the ability to camouflage dirt. It's also easy to clean and non-allergenic. On top of all that, carpets made with nylon are very resilient – they can withstand the weight of heavy furniture and high traffic. What's not to like?
Polyester
This fiber may be a good choice for you if cost is a major issue. It's also non-allergenic! Polyester carpets, such as the Shaggy Majestic from Alexanian, are good for low foot traffic and frequent pet accidents – the fibers are moisture resistant and they stand up to abrasion. Polyester is also a great carpet fiber because it doesn't fade easily.
Carpet styles
Cut pile (pictured far left)
The yarn in a cut pile carpet, such as this Windsor from Alexanian, has been looped and then cut. It comes in many different lengths and thicknesses and it's softer than loop pile.
Loop (pictured middle)
Commonly known as a Berber, loop carpet is short, even, densely packed loops and it create a durable, easy to clean surface. It often patterned – which also happens to be the current #1 trend in carpet. Solids are also a good option. No matter the design, loop carpets, such as the Venus or Pioneer Key from Alexanian, are good for high traffic, great for stairs, and very durable. It's not recommended if you have pets though; their claws will catch in the carpet loops.
Cut & loop (pictured far right)
Not sure which of the two styles would work best for you? There's the cut & loop option! This style combines lower loops & higher cut piles on one surface, producing pattern and textures. We love this gorgeous Matrix carpet from Alexanian.
Underpads
The importance of a carpet underpad is often overlooked. It prolongs the life of a carpet, serves as an insulator, and adds comfort! The good news is that all of the following types of underpad work under any carpet. Just remember – a thicker pad doesn't necessarily mean a better pad. Ultimately, it will come down to cost and how/where you're using your carpet. These underpads are from Alan Rug Company and you can try all of these out 'underfoot' in the store, on top of the carpet you select.
Rubber pad (pictured far left)
This underpad is high density. It's good for low pile and high traffic areas.
Foam pad (pictured middle)
This is a great choice for basements with concrete floors because it breathes well, and it resists mold and mildew. It also has anti-microbial properties and is great for spills. Also important – it's very soft underfoot!
Felt pad (pictured far right)
The felt pad is 100% wool, so it's made of all-natural materials and, there's no off-gassing.
Carpet on stairs
When adding carpet to stairs, be sure to put a 'runner' up the stairs, not 'wall-to-wall'. To achieve this, cover stairs and high-traffic zones with dense, tight low pile carpets. Stair rods also make a great addition to your carpeted stairs. They lend a classic, traditional look to your interior or exterior stairs.
Resource guide:
- Twilight Trellis in Mercury
- Lenox
- Donegal in 720 Clancy
- Labyrinth in Aegean
- Chandler
- Shaggy Magestic
- Windsor in Storn
- Venus in 107 Barley
- Pioneer Key in 88815 Antique Silver
- Matrix in Storm
- Everstrand
- Smart strand
- Carpet tiles
- S&C Collection Blue Killim
- Missoni Black & White Stripe
- Missoni Classic Chevron
- Rubber pad
- Foam pad
- Felt pad
- Wool rug