There is little doubt that you know what a
carpet is but do you know all of the different types of carpets
that are out on the market? There is quite a bit of history
attached to carpets and it may surprise you to find out how
long they have been around and what they have been used for.
They grace our homes and offices but do you often stop to pay
attention to their quality or fiber? Usually that only happens
when it comes time to pick out a carpet. We brush them for
their softness, peel them apart for their durability and pick
them based on the color. But there is so much more to carpets
than meets the eye. In this audio program we will cover the
history and the basic types of carpets. Before long carpets
will have more of a meaning to you than simply a soft treading
ground.
What is carpet
made of?
Carpet can be made of several different types
of fibers ranging from natural fibers such as cotton and
bamboo. It can also be made of synthetic fibers such as nylon
and polypropylene. Some newer synthetic fibers are polyester
and PTT polymer. Each of the different types of fibers has a
certain characteristic that makes them desirable to different
customers. Some want durability whereas others are more
concerned that the carpet is made from natural fibers which
will cost more. The carpet fiber that you pick will be
determined by how heavily it will be used. High traffic areas
do much better with synthetic fibers and can actually reduce
the amount of dust allergens. If cost is a major factor then
you most definitely want to go with a synthetic blend versus a
natural fiber.
What are the
different types of carpet?
This is a tricky question because it can be
taken two ways. The first is the types of fibers that make up
the carpet and the second is the actual types of carpets
themselves. Let's go with the second since the type of carpet
fibers has already been covered. There are several different
types of carpets and it may surprise you to learn that not all
carpets were originally created to be walked upon. It was not
until the 18th century that carpets were used as floor
coverings. Some of the different types of carpets are: woven,
needlefelt, flatweave, hooked and knotted pile carpets. Each
one is created using a different method.
Carpet binding is the process of sealing up the
edges of the woven fibers. If you look at a carpet you can see
where the edge has a sewn or bound edge that prevents the
carpet from unraveling. Natural fibers are used primarily on
materials such as wool or bamboo. Synthetic material is used on
synthetic fibers such as polyester and polypropylene.
Are there
natural carpets versus the synthetic materials?
Yes, there are natural carpets versus carpets
made from synthetic materials. The natural fibers used to
create these carpets can be anything from bamboo to wool. They
are stitched together using a natural binding and are very
eco-friendly to your environment because most are free from
harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde.