With all of the styles and colors available today, selecting the right carpet can be a little overwhelming. It helps to narrow you options down by focusing your efforts on certain looks and feels. By choosing either a cut pile carpet or a loop pile carpet, you can significantly narrow your options making it somewhat easier to make your final decision. However, before you can decide between these two styles, it helps to understand the difference between cut pile and loop pile carpets and the pros and cons of each. This article will help you decipher between the two and help you choose the right style for you.
Cut pile is a style of carpet that is sheared, exposing the ends of the carpet fiber. Cut piles come in different lengths and thicknesses. They are the most popular styles of carpet today and tend to be softer underfoot and to touch than loop pile carpets. Cut pile carpets work well for a whole house type carpet. When selecting a cut pile carpet, one of the most important things to look at is the twist. Cut pile carpet contains a twist which helps it stand up and resist matting and crushing. The tighter the twist, the more durable your cut pile carpet will be. The heavier twist will also help create texture which in turn helps hide wear patterns and dirt. Cut pile carpets are come in a wide variety of colors and multi colors are made as well. They are typically made out of Nylon, polyester or wool with nylon cut piles being the most popular.
Loop pile carpets are not sheared like cut piles are. They are left as loops and constructed in many different weights and thicknesses. Loop piles are great option for both residential and commercial uses. The loop pile allows manufacturers to create many different patterns and textures. Loop piles are very popular in game rooms, family rooms and offices for their durability and wide variety of patterns. When selecting a loop carpet, the tighter the loops are, the more resistant to matting and crushing it will be. Loops that are twisted will help the overall durability even more. Loop carpets are typically made from nylon, wool or olefin with Wool and Nylon being the most popular and most durable. Care must be taken when moving furniture over or when vacuuming a loop pile carpet. If a loop pulls out, it could cause runs in your carpet if not properly fixed. Other than that, loop pile carpets are very durable and work great for both residential and commercial projects.
For the average residential house, deciding between a cut pile or loop pile carpet is a matter of personal preference. They have substantially different looks and feels but each one will perform well in a residential setting. The best thing to do is to decide which one you prefer and stick to that style. This will help narrow your choices down and help you come up with the perfect carpet for your particular project.
