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Godfrey Hirst
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Buying a Carpet? Read This First
From which fibre to choose, to which style – we answer your burning carpet questions
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Not sure whether to go for a wool or nylon carpet? Confused about the difference between a cut pile and a loop? The experts at leading carpet manufacturer Godfrey Hirst share their vast experience to help you choose the perfect soft covering for your floor.
Why Carpet?
It’s often difficult to decide whether to opt for a hard or soft floor covering, but if you’d like a cosy option it’s worth considering a carpet. Not only is it soft and comfortable to walk on, but it’s great for insulating your room on cooler days.
Its resilience is a key factor too, as it won’t crack or scratch. For even more durability, pair your carpet with a resilient hard floor covering.
Carpet is a great option if you’ve got children, or are concerned about safety, as it’s not slippery and provides a nice soft landing. On upper levels of the house it’s also ideal, as it absorbs sound and won’t cause footsteps and scraping furniture to echo around the home.
It’s often difficult to decide whether to opt for a hard or soft floor covering, but if you’d like a cosy option it’s worth considering a carpet. Not only is it soft and comfortable to walk on, but it’s great for insulating your room on cooler days.
Its resilience is a key factor too, as it won’t crack or scratch. For even more durability, pair your carpet with a resilient hard floor covering.
Carpet is a great option if you’ve got children, or are concerned about safety, as it’s not slippery and provides a nice soft landing. On upper levels of the house it’s also ideal, as it absorbs sound and won’t cause footsteps and scraping furniture to echo around the home.
Which Fibre Should You Choose?
The versatility of carpet is one of its benefits, but the sheer wealth of material options available can be confusing. Here’s a rundown of the different types of fibres you could choose:
Wool and wool blend. Wool is a natural fibre, so it’s renewable, sustainable and even flame retardant. It’s also incredibly soft to walk on and is hard-wearing, with its natural protection against staining. Wool carpets are a good option if you want a floor covering that keeps your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Sorona® Triexta. For high traffic areas, look no further than a triexta fibre, an eco-friendly material that’s not only soft, but is also extremely durable and hardwearing from stains; spills can be removed with just cold water.
Nylon. If you need something really tough and hardwearing, nylon carpets are a good choice for their strength and stain resistance. They also come in a wide range of colours, so are great if you’re looking for the perfect match for your interior scheme.
Polyester. For a cost-effective option, go for a polyester carpet. It might not be as luxurious as wool, but it’s still soft and has great colourfast properties. This type of carpet is ideally suited to a low-traffic area.
Polypropylene. Another purse-friendly material, polypropylene is a synthetic fibre that is colourfast and stain-resistant. Once again this is a good choice in an area that doesn’t get too much foot traffic but could use an update.
The versatility of carpet is one of its benefits, but the sheer wealth of material options available can be confusing. Here’s a rundown of the different types of fibres you could choose:
Wool and wool blend. Wool is a natural fibre, so it’s renewable, sustainable and even flame retardant. It’s also incredibly soft to walk on and is hard-wearing, with its natural protection against staining. Wool carpets are a good option if you want a floor covering that keeps your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Sorona® Triexta. For high traffic areas, look no further than a triexta fibre, an eco-friendly material that’s not only soft, but is also extremely durable and hardwearing from stains; spills can be removed with just cold water.
Nylon. If you need something really tough and hardwearing, nylon carpets are a good choice for their strength and stain resistance. They also come in a wide range of colours, so are great if you’re looking for the perfect match for your interior scheme.
Polyester. For a cost-effective option, go for a polyester carpet. It might not be as luxurious as wool, but it’s still soft and has great colourfast properties. This type of carpet is ideally suited to a low-traffic area.
Polypropylene. Another purse-friendly material, polypropylene is a synthetic fibre that is colourfast and stain-resistant. Once again this is a good choice in an area that doesn’t get too much foot traffic but could use an update.
How Do You Decide on Carpet Style?
Carpets come in a variety of designs, but they’re mainly all versions of these fundamental styles:
Cut Pile. Going for a luxurious, formal look? Choose a cut-pile carpet where the yarn loops have been snipped to form an upright pile. The finish is short and velvety, but be aware that the suede-like finish that shows footprints isn’t for everyone.
Loop pile. For a more textured feel, choose a loop pile carpet. This style consists of loops of yarn that have been arranged in a combination of patterns. By positioning higher and lower loops the manufacturers can create distinctive designs. This type of carpet doesn’t show footprints and is great for high traffic areas.
Combination of cut and loop pile. To create sculptured swirls or patterns, manufacturers use a combination of loops and cut pile styles. This is a good option if you’re looking for a design that’s a little different.
Carpets come in a variety of designs, but they’re mainly all versions of these fundamental styles:
Cut Pile. Going for a luxurious, formal look? Choose a cut-pile carpet where the yarn loops have been snipped to form an upright pile. The finish is short and velvety, but be aware that the suede-like finish that shows footprints isn’t for everyone.
Loop pile. For a more textured feel, choose a loop pile carpet. This style consists of loops of yarn that have been arranged in a combination of patterns. By positioning higher and lower loops the manufacturers can create distinctive designs. This type of carpet doesn’t show footprints and is great for high traffic areas.
Combination of cut and loop pile. To create sculptured swirls or patterns, manufacturers use a combination of loops and cut pile styles. This is a good option if you’re looking for a design that’s a little different.
What’s Next in Carpet Design?
The latest carpet technology is all about the environment, with manufacturers focusing on renewable and sustainable materials. If you want a wool blend that mixes two sustainable materials, try a wool bamboo fibre blend, for example.
For a carpet with high eco credentials, added durability and a lovely soft texture, you can’t go wrong with eco+ Triexta. This material is made from 37% Sorona® renewably-sourced polymer, which is derived from natural corn sugar, the production of which produces a low amount of greenhouse gas emissions. It’s highly stain-proof and colourfast, so is a great option when you want a luxurious feel with added resilience.
Tell us
Have you chosen to decorate with carpet?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team
The latest carpet technology is all about the environment, with manufacturers focusing on renewable and sustainable materials. If you want a wool blend that mixes two sustainable materials, try a wool bamboo fibre blend, for example.
For a carpet with high eco credentials, added durability and a lovely soft texture, you can’t go wrong with eco+ Triexta. This material is made from 37% Sorona® renewably-sourced polymer, which is derived from natural corn sugar, the production of which produces a low amount of greenhouse gas emissions. It’s highly stain-proof and colourfast, so is a great option when you want a luxurious feel with added resilience.
Tell us
Have you chosen to decorate with carpet?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team
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I have decided to replace my 30 year old New Zealand berger carpet. It has lasted extremely well but is starting to look tired. I noticed the edges of some parts of my carpet were being eaten by carpet beetle about 5 years after laying. I was told it was probably in the carpet when purchased. If I choose 100% wool carpet again how can I prevent the same thing happening again?