For
warmth and softness underfoot, carpet is your choice. Carpet has two
components -- face pile and backing. Because the face pile (or yarn
fibers) is subject to all the wear and tear, it's your key
consideration. Backing is almost never seen once the carpet is
installed, but it plays a role in the overall quality. Any carpet
measuring more than 54 inches wide is referred to as
"broadloom."
Carpet
face pile comes in two variations: cut and loop. In cut-pile carpets,
individual yarns stand up straight from the backing. In loop-pile
construction, the yarn comes out of the backing, loops over, and returns
into the backing. Loop-pile carpets with a level surface are called
level loops. If the loop height varies, the carpet is a multilevel loop.
Most loop piles will perform better than cut piles over the long haul
because the loops help evenly distribute the impact of foot traffic. One
caveat: Loose loop-pile products, such as berbers, won't hold up as well
under heavy traffic, especially if they are made with polypropylene, a
less-resilient fiber.
Cut-and-loop,
or cut/uncut, carpets combine both pile types to add surface texture,
and often blend multiple yarn colors. Sometimes referred to as
"sculptured," these multitexture, multicolor carpets hide
footprints and soil well.
Generally,
the heavier the carpet, the better it will hold up. However, don't
select a product based on weight alone. Consider the carpet's density,
pile height, and fiber type when comparing different varieties. Many
carpets come in good, better, and best choices. These will be similar
styles available in the same colors. The difference is usually weight. A
retailer might offer a textured saxony in 28, 34, and 40 ounces, for
example. If you're budget-conscious, select the heavier product for
high-traffic areas and the lower-weight carpet for less-used rooms.
