Landlord's Guide to Replacing Carpet & Flooring
Carpet Styles
Common Carpet Styles
For most applications the carpet style you select is a matter of preference. You can also buy varying qualities of all styles available. First, select the style of carpet you like best and then consider what quality you should buy. Rather than post pictures of carpets for you, I recommend that you visit a retail carpet store and get your hands on some actual carpet samples. Take some samples home for a couple of days and take your time making your decision.
Just remember, as soon as you walk through their door, retailers will use every trick in the book to try to get you to buy from them. Remember, even if you check-out and take home some of their carpet samples, you are not required to buy from them. Shop at more than just one store.
PLUSH
This type of carpet is usually one solid color and has a smooth, even pile height. During manufacturing, the tufts of this type of carpet are sheared to make the pile perfectly flat. It is the most popular style used in homes and apartments today. You can find practically any color imaginable. When made of nylon this type of carpet cleans easily and will wear well if properly maintained. Plush carpets will show footprints and vacuum marks. The standard life span of apartment-grade plush carpet (about 26 ounce) is about 5 years. Higher face weights can increase the life span significantly.
TEXTURED PLUSH
This plush carpet style often has more than one color of yarn and has varying tuft heights, thus reducing footprint and vacuum marks. It comes in many colors and has about the same cost as an even pile height plush style.
FRIEZE (my favorite)
This style of carpet has very tightly twisted tufts and wears very well. This style of carpet can last 15 years or more. It is often used in heavy traffic areas and provides reduced footprint and vacuum marks. Typically more expensive than plush styles, this would be a durable and elegant selection for the home.
SCULPTURED
This type of carpet has two types of tufts used in its construction, one is looped and one is not, which gives this carpet a hi-low appearance. The color usually varies in shade from light to dark and is rich in appearance. Not as popular as it was during the 70's and 80's, it is often used in apartments.
SAXONY
A cut pile carpet in a relatively dense erect configuration, Has well-defined individual tuft tips (this means it is easy to see each tuft on the surface of the carpet, giving it a rougher look or appearance). Similar to a plush style.
BERBER
This has become quite popular in recent years because of its elegant appearance. The tufts are looped and aligned in rows for a clean uniform look. When choosing this carpet be sure to select one with smaller loops to get the best wear. Large looped Berbers tend to collapse quickly and look worn-out sooner.
I don’t recommend Berber carpet in apartments or homes with small children or domestic pets as this carpet can snag and run easily and is difficult to repair. This carpet is usually made of Olefin fiber but is also available in nylon.
CUT PILE BERBER
This style of Berber is not really a Berber at all. It does not have loops. It has a similar appearance of a plush style carpet but has a multicolored appearance, a speckled look. Usually the main color is light with darker flecks of color throughout.
COMMERCIAL CARPETS
Level loop and cut pile styles
Commercial carpets are generally used in offices and commercial applications where there is heavy traffic. There are two types I want to mention. Commercial Level loop has small loops and Commercial Cut Pile is a short napped plush type of carpet. Both are usually made of nylon or olefin.
Recent advancements in olefin fibers have allowed for a carpet with brighter colors and more durability than previously available. Commercial carpet is usually glued directly to the floor although it can be installed over 1/4" high-density (6 to 8 pound) padding.
Any looped carpet can easily snag and run, and for that reason is not often used in residential settings where there are children or pets. This may be a good choice considering this carpet lasts a long time and takes a beating! The negative aspect of using commercial carpet is that this type of carpet is much thinner than non-commercial carpets and is not as soft underfoot.