What fibre is best for you?

Wool – The traditional carpet fibre.

Wool has been used in the making of carpets worldwide for hundreds of years, and there’s a good reason why. Properties include excellent appearance retention so wool carpets spring back into shape, good resistance to soiling, low flammability and wool is easy to clean too.  Wool is resistant to cold water based stains and has a low lustre appearance, which means the colours are always deep and rich.  For added strength and durability and to reduce shedding, wool is often blended with a synthetic fibre like polyamide or polyester, you may often find a blend of 80% wool and 20% man made fibres, resulting in a luxury carpet fit for any home.

Polypropylene – The most popular manmade carpet fibre.

Polypropylene is resistant to stains because the colour is locked in during the manufacturing process. In fact it can be cleaned using a part bleach cleaning solution making it an extremely practical choice for today’s modern families. Polypropylene is not only hard wearing but it’s also fade resistant and much lower in price making it fantastic value for money.

Polyamide (also known as Nylon)

Durable and resilient, Polyamide carpets can be dyed or printed after tufting and therefore have vibrant colours, exciting patterns and bold designs. Polyamide retains both its looks and style much longer than other synthetic fibres and is also the hardest wearing synthetic fibre.

Polyester

Most like wool in appearance and feel, modern polyester can produce a more natural softness. With an attractive, lustrous look, it’s more commonly used as a blend rather than on its own and is a well performing fibre that’s easily cleaned.

Which pile is best for you?

Twist Pile – Twisted piles have a coarse, rugged finish created from yarn which has been twisted tightly together. The loops are then cut in order to achieve its textured appearance. One of the most popular styles, it comes in wool or man made fibres. Available in a wide variety of colours, shades and prices.

Velvet / Velour Pile – Carpets with a Velvet or Velour pile have a very smooth, elegant cut pile finish. Their gorgeously velveteen feel makes them absolutely perfect for bedrooms. Luxury carpets are often of a velvet construction.

Saxony –Saxony has a dense, cut pile made with longer tufts creating a sensuous feel. Very popular in bedrooms or living rooms, saxonies do flatten and so are not practical in high traffic areas.

Berber / Loop Pile –Loop piles replicate the appearance of natural flooring such as sisal and coir. It is extremely durable, practical, and fantastic for all-purpose use. They typically come in natural and neutral shades. It’s very good at maintaining its appearance well throughout a long lifetime.

Shag Pile – Today shag piles are designed for luxury and decorative use. The extra long tufts create that shaggy look, which is becoming increasingly popular again