Construction: Textures and Patterns
Today’s carpet
offers much more than a conventional loop pile. To add to a room’s
sophistication and interest, consider choosing a textured pattern.
New technology can produce multilevel loop and cut/loop patterns.
Choose diamonds, bows, pin dots, or fleurs-de-lis designs that
"pop out" in sculptured effects. The texture, colors, and pattern
of the carpet can be made to complement or contrast with patterns
of your furniture and window treatments. Using a solid color,
textured carpet is a great way to provide interest and pizzazz,
without going to a multicolor, overall pattern.
Textured styles
also fit well with today’s active and casual lifestyles. Textured
carpet can be created through the use of several construction
techniques. Many of these styles are known for their soil-hiding
ability.
Cut
pile: Loops are cut, leaving individual yarn tufts. Still
one of today's most popular constructions, its durability is achieved
with factors including the type of fiber, density of tufts, and
the amount of twist in the yarn.
- Plush
/ Velvet -- Smooth, level surfaces; formal atmosphere, "velvet."
-
Saxony
-- Smooth, level finish, but pile yarns have more twist so
that the yarn ends are visible and create a less formal look.
Minimizes foot prints.
-
Friezé
-- In this cut pile, the yarns are extremely twisted, forming
a "curly" textured surface. This informal look also
minimizes foot prints and vacuum marks.
Level
loop pile: Loops are the same height, creating an informal
look. It generally lasts a long time in high-traffic areas. Many
of today’s popular Berber styles are level loop styles with flecks
of a darker color on a lighter background.
Multi-level
loop pile: Usually has two to three different loop heights
to create pattern effects, providing good durability and a more
casual look.
Cut
and loop pile: Combination of cut and looped yarns. Provides
variety of surface textures, including sculptured effects of squares,
chevrons, swirls, etc.
Really
Express Yourself!
Perhaps you are ready to boldly express yourself with a floral,
fleur-de-lis, or multicolored carpet that will enhance plaids,
stripes, or solids furnishings. European, English, French Country,
and Colonial are some of the descriptive words used for the beautiful
combinations of patterned carpet used with patterned furnishings.
