If you’ve just started shopping around for new carpeting, you may notice that carpet manufacturers use their fair share of specialized terminology to describe the characteristics of their products. To the uninitiated, all this carpet industry jargon can get a little confusing. Fortunately, once you get the hang of it, carpet terminology is pretty straightforward. Understanding this terminology can also help to ensure you get the kind of carpet you want for a space. Today we’ll look at a few common carpet terms and what they mean.
Pile
A carpet’s pile refers to the height and pattern of its fibers. Generally speaking, there are two main types of carpet pile—cut pile and loop pile. In a cut pile carpet, the ends of the fibers are cut at an even height. In a loop pile carpet, the fibers loop around and attach to the carpet’s backing. Berber carpets are common examples of loop pile carpets.
Weight
A carpet’s weight is measured in ounces per square yard. The face weight of a carpet is just the weight of its fibers. The total weight includes the weight of its backing and latex as well. Carpets with especially high face weights are typically good-quality carpets.
Density
The density of a carpet refers to how closely the fibers are woven together. Carpets with high density ratings are generally more durable and resilient.
Twist
Closely related to its density, the twist of a carpet refers to the number of times each fiber turns in a 1-inch length. Carpets with high twist counts are especially good for high-traffic areas.
PAR Rating
This stands for the “Performance, Appearance and Retention” rating. A carpet’s PAR rating is measured on a scale of 1 to 5, and carpets with higher PAR ratings are more likely to retain their original appearance over long periods of time.
Still have some lingering questions about carpet construction? Give us a call today at (602) 493-7700 to speak with the experts at Carpet Closeouts and learn more!
Recent Comments