CARPET BUYERS INFO

Common Carpet Pile Types or Styles (Continued)

Cut - The pile loops are cut to expose the ends of the yarn. There are four basic cut pile styles:

Textured Saxony - The durability of a textured Saxony pile generally falls between that of a Saxony and a Frieze. This pile has a greater twist than a Saxony and therefore reduces footprints and vacuum cleaner marks.

Velvet Plush - This is a carpet that shows shading from vacuuming. Typically, there is little tuft definition and it has an extremely smooth surface which looks to many people like velvet. Individual tufts are tightly packed, creating a very dense pile which is both rich and soft. It's perfect in living rooms and bedrooms with moderate to light traffic.

Loop - Instead of cutting the loops, carpet mills leave the loop uncut with no visible ends, providing very good resistance to matting and crushing. There are several looped styles of carpet available:

Level Loop Pile - The loops are of equal height, making the carpet very durable and resistant to matting, often used in high traffic areas. Berber is the most popular residential carpet of this style. It is usually made of an untwisted yarn which is low in profile and typically has a multicolored appearance.

Multilevel Loop Pile - Usually has two to three different loop heights to create pattern effects. It's looped structure provides good durability.

Cut and Loop - Cut and loop carpets have both cut and loop piles and usually have a sculptured pattern which is multicolored.