When choosing a carpet always get a measure by a professional from a reputable carpet retailer, this will ensure the best fit and potentially save money from using the right width to reduce the amount of waste.
Think about how much wear the carpet will receive. Hall, stairs and landings generally get more wear, so consider a more durable carpet.
We have a choice of underlays, a good quality underlay will make your carpet look better and last longer.
All Domestic 80/20 wool/nylon
Twist pile carpets are generally accepted as the ‘default choice’ for when durability and variety of colour are the priority.
The term ‘Twist pile’ literally comes from the twisting of the yarn during manufacturing and it is this process, that gives the yarn it’s durability and spring-like resistance to crushing. Due to the enormous choice of colours, densities and lengths of pile available from many manufacturers, twist pile carpets can confidently be laid in almost any room in your home and most contract/office installations.
Traditionally, the 80/20 wool option is chosen for domestic usage due to wools superior durability and bounce back qualities, whereas the increasingly popular man made options, offer a cheaper alternative with the added characteristic of being naturally stain resistant. This has obvious appeal for rental properties where easy cleaning is a priority.
All Domestic 80/20 wool/nylon
Velvet pile carpets generally share all of the characteristics and yarn options as twist pile carpets and again, can be laid in most areas of your home and contract/office areas also. Velvet pile carpets generally tend to be more expensive than twist pile options, mainly due to the more intense manufacturing processes required to achieve the characteristic smooth velvet finish.
This velvety finish to the carpet obviously creates more ‘tracking’ than twist pile carpets in areas of regular footfall, so this is something to keep in mind. This effect becomes more obvious again with the increasingly popular man-made options, as the fibre carries more sheen to the surface. That said, with the emergence of the high-quality Viscose, Tencel and the very durable Antron PA 6.6 yarns, a very chic, minimalist look has been created and although annoying to some, it has increasingly become ‘the’ desired look, in both homes and contract areas alike.
All Domestic 100% wool
Loop pile carpets come in various styles and designs, ranging from the traditional level loop ‘Brussels’ design, to the extensive range of embossed loop designs options. Although loop pile carpets are suitable for all areas of your home, it is recommended the denser and tighter & mixed yarns designs are used on stairs to give the best possible wear. Looser loop designs do not wear as well and should generally be used in rooms only.
Dependent on the design chosen, loop pile carpets can create looks ranging from ‘Rustic’ to ‘Minimalist’ with the array of colours and designs available.
All Domestic 100% wool
If ultimate softness underfoot is required, Luxury and Shag pile options are the choice! In basic terms, they are Velvet pile carpets with longer Shag pile Contract 80/20 wool/nylon length pile heights and varying densities. The ‘Luxury’ pile offers the same smart, chic look as it’s Velvet pile cousin, whereas the ‘Shag’ pile (rooms only) Man Made is Velvet piles ‘Hippie’ cousin, with it’s long, loose and non-conforming pile direction. Both fantastic underfoot but generally not recommended for stairs.
As with any Velvet pile carpet, traffic lane issues are still a consideration for some to consider before purchasing.
Extensive choice of colours and yarn options available.
Domestic & Sisal / Coir / Jute
Natural fibre carpets have lost their popularity over the last few years in relation to being fully fitted within homes but they have maintained their popularity as Rugs, usually as the finishing touch to a new wooden or Amtico/LVT floor.
Some Contract Seagrass Similar to loop pile carpets, the natural ranges have the ability to transform the feel of your home into anything you desire, such as a traditional ‘Rustic’ look, using large weave designs, to ultra modern herringbone and similar tight weave designs, in fresh modern colours.
Although Natural carpets are recommended for most areas by the manufacturers, we would urge caution in relation to fitting on stairs, as they can often become slippery and dangerous over time.
Mr & Mrs Hampton
London
