Guide to different types of carpet

Guide to different types of carpet

The decision to pick a flooring option for your home is more complex than most people realise. After all, there are many significant qualities that you have to weigh up and keep in perspective. From durability, longevity, cost, appearance, and maintenance, the list goes on. One of the flooring options that has remained trendy, fashionable and popular over the years is carpeting. In the event that you have decided to go with carpeting, then here is a guide to different types of carpet.

Carpets come in a diverse range of materials each with its own positives, as well as drawbacks. Keep in mind that usage is critical to picking the right carpet or any other flooring. This is to say, the ideal carpet for your living room will not necessarily be the right option for your bedroom. As such it is vital to consider the intended use of the carpet to ensure your carpet is used for the correct purposes. This will also help guarantee your carpet stays in place for a reasonable amount of time. So, what is the best carpet material for your home? We have put together a guide to help enlighten you on the various options available to you.

Jute

Firstly, we will take a look at the jute. This is a naturally beautiful carpet option made by weaving dried fibres of plants. Jute fits exceptionally well in modern home interiors and provides a gorgeous textured finish. Moreover, jute-made carpets are excellent at complementing natural and neutral colour schemes. Jute can also be effectively partnered with bright, vibrant and lively colours.

Benefits of jute

  • To start with, jute has a rustic and organic aesthetic that is perfect for achieving a natural touch to your décor.
  • The highly durable properties of jute make it ideal for high-traffic areas of your home.
  • Jute is not only thick, but it is also soft making it suitable for homes with children and pets.
  • In most instances, jute is easy to clean and maintain.

Drawbacks of jute

  • Jute can be highly absorbent making it a bad option for humid or damp areas of your home.
  • Sometimes jute can eave debris from the fibres underneath therefore requiring a lot of cleaning.
  • Moreover, continued exposure to sunlight will lead to discolouration, therefore, limiting its use to interiors.

Mountain grass

Mouintaingrass is another eco-friendly carpet option that is made from plant materials. The eco-friendly properties of mountain grass mean that it is made from natural materials that are easy to harvest, regrow and replenish. In fact, mountain grass is one of the most environmentally-friendly carpet options available.

Benefits of mountain grass

  • Firstly, mountain grass is extremely durable making it a practical option for high traffic areas of the home.
  • Mountain grass also adds a visually appealing natural aesthetic to any room that it is used in.
  • Much like jute, mountain grass irrelatively easy to clean and maintain.

Drawbacks of mountain grass

  • Due to the construction process, mountain grass is only available in a limited variety of colours.
  • Mountain grass also tends to be rigid meaning it is not as soft underfoot.
  • Lastly, mountain grass carpets tend to stain easily.

Nylon

When it comes to man-made carpet materials, nylon is possibly the most popular material. Perhaps this popularity comes from the that nylon has profound benefits and is cost-effective.

Benefits of nylon

  • The high levels of durability make nylon a preferred carpet option for many homes.
  • Nylon carpets have hydrogen molecules embedded in its structure. This means that steaming the carpet will reactivate this molecule and return the carpet to its original state.
  • While other carpet options are susceptible to appear flattened over time, nylon carpets will not.
  • In addition, nylon carpets are available in a diverse array of colours, designs, patterns, and prices.

Drawbacks of nylon

  • Nylon is extremely absorbent meaning any spills will sink into the fibres.
  • With so many nylon carpet options available it is crucial to be wary of inferior quality options.

Nylon blend

Carpets can also be available in a variety of blends that incorporate various materials into one. Blends are generally designed to negate the negative properties of the materials used.

Wool nylon blend

A wool carpet presents a luxurious but costly carpet option. When cared for properly, wool carpets can be quite durable. Mixing wool and nylon will result in a stronger and more durable carpet material. Mixing wool and nylon is also significant in bringing the overall price of the carpet down without compromising the quality.

Nylon polyester blend

Polyester is a soft material that blends well with the strong nylon fibres. However, polyester is not durable and cannot stand the test of time. For this reason, opt for a blend that has more nylon than polyester.

Polyester

Another popular synthetic carpet material is polyester. Polyester can be made from recycled plastic, therefore, making it an eco-friendly carpet option.

Benefits of polyester

  • Polyester is one of the cost-effective carpet options available. Furthermore, polyester is quite soft making it ideal for homes with children and pets.
  • In addition, polyester is highly stain-resistant and quick drying.
  • Finally, polyester is available in a wide and diverse assortment of designs, colours, and patterns.

Drawbacks of polyester

  • One of the greatest weaknesses of polyester is that it is not a durable carpet option and often requires replacing every few years.
  • Polyester is also susceptible to getting matted meaning it is not ideal for high traffic areas.

Wool

Wool is also another carpet material option with a long history. Made from short lengths of wool from sheep, wool is a renewable material. This makes wool highly eco-friendly with less of an environmental impact than synthetic fibres.

Benefits of wool

  • One of the greatest benefits of wool is its durability and ability to stand the test of time.
  • Wool is also available in a variety of designs, colours and patterns.

Drawbacks of wool

  • Wool carpets often come with a hefty price tag. This can be as much as double the price of its synthetic counterparts.
  • Wool is also highly susceptible to stain permanently as compared to other materials.
  • Finally, wool is very absorbent meaning it can become waterlogged resulting in mildew.

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