Save yourself the indignity of being stumped at the carpet shop. Have a quick look at some of the more common terms in residential and commercial carpeting before setting out on a mission to furnish your bare feet with warmth and comfort.
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- Artificial Grass / AstroTurf: Born of the research department and North Carolina State University, AstroTurf made its debut at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas. Not up to par with modern day synthetic grass, this material is still basically available in several varieties and colors for use where cultivating grass just isn't an option.
- Berber carpet: Most generally, Berber carpet refers to an off-white, heathered look used by the Berber tribes of North Africa in their cloaks. The heathered style is created by small loops in multiple levels or in a cut and loop style. The consensus of carpet merchants is that wool or nylon based Berber is superior to Olefin. Nowadays, you can get the style in any color you desire.
- Braided: This style is usually reserved for decorative floor rugs or entry mats. Thick fibers of all kinds are woven into a durable plastic network in such a way that it gives the impression that the threads were simply woven together. This style may also be referred to has hooked rugs.
- Cut and loop carpet: The name gives away the simplicity of this carpet's design. The fibers are tightly woven through the underlying mesh. Then the loops are either left or cut. The predominance of looped or cut fibers creates the unique textures and patterns of this style.
- Flat woven: This durable style of carpet and rug is notable for its compact profile and resistance to pressure marks from furniture. The pile fibers are compressed when woven, creating not only a clean, natural aesthetic, but also a rug impervious to most penetrating stains and mildew.
- Hand knotted: This variety of carpet features the ornate patterns of Persian and Indian style and is usually crafted from silk, wool, or a combination of the two. Generally, this kind of rug has some variety of tassel on each end.
- Hooked: Synonymous with braided carpets or rugs, hooked rugs are typically distinguished by fibers intricately woven into an underlying mesh. Those bearing the name "hooked" often have more intricate patterns than the braided variety.
- Marine carpet: Offered in all styles of carpet, be it pile, Berber, or cut and loop, marine carpet simply refers to a durably constructed carpet, usually offered in tiles that can be used in aqueous environments.
- Needlepunch carpet: This is a non-woven style of carpet manufactured by extruding several different fibers at different thicknesses. The fibers are brought together into a tight matrix and put in a full or half latex bath. The latex provides a rigid backing for super hard wear. These products are made to resist mildew, pilling, zippering, and rot.
- Pile carpet: Also known as "cut pile carpet," this variety is simply a consistent, tightly knit mesh of cut loops of yarn. It is an underfoot favorite and known for its plush qualities and the wide variety of colors and shading that can be achieved.
- Tile carpet: While available in several varieties of carpet, the tile style is usually reserved for outdoor or commercial applications where a quick, inexpensive install is required. Needlepunch is an excellent variety of tile carpet.
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