The Basics of Carpets
Texture Types
Is Carpet a Good Choice for Flooring?
How do I decide on colour and style?
What do I need to know before buying?
What do I need to know about Carpet Fiber?
What do I need to know about Carpet Undercushion?
What is Yarn Twist and Pile Density?

"Remember ... Measure Twice - Cut Once!"

The Basics of Carpet
There are basically eight issues that are the main contributing factors in the makeup of carpet:

1. Type of Fibre or Yarn	Making up 99% of all carpet sold today, is nylon, polyester trevira, polypropylene, or wool. Each yarn has it's own attributes and appropriate usages.
2. Basic Style	Most manufactured carpets fit into one of three basic categories; Loop Pile, Cut Pile, Cut & Loop.
3. Basic Style Variations	Within the three basic styles there are many , many variations with the most common being cut pile saxonies, cut pile textured yarn saxonies (commonly called " trackless " or "semi trackless" carpet), and loop pile berbers.
4. Weight	The "weight" of the carpet can vary from approximately 20 oz per square yard to 120 oz per square yard, depending on the amount of yarn used in the carpet.
5. Density	The density of the carpet is determined by the combination of two things; gauge and stitch count. Very simply, the gauge is the number of rows of tufts used, going across the width, with the stitch count, the measurement of the distance between tufts, down the length of the carpet. For example a "tenth gauge" carpet has ten rows of tufts per inch wide. A stitch count of ten means that in the tufting process, the tufting needle spaced the tufts 1/10th of an inch apart going the length of the carpet, while sewing or "tufting" the carpet. Most common gauges and stitch counts are 1/8th, 1/10th, 1/12th.
6. Twist Level	For yarn tufts to have stability and strength the yarn is "twisted" before tufting. Varying amounts of twist, yeild varying amounts of performance and different "looks" and "feel". For example, a "hard twist" carpet increases performance but may sacrifice the soft feel of the product.
7. Colour	The colour of carpet is determined by two common methods; tufting the carpet with pre dyed yarn (solution dyed) or dying (colouring) the carpet after tufting.
8. Stain Protection	There are many brand names of stain protection available today, but basically stain protection on your carpet fits into one of two categories: a) A topical treatment such as " Scotch Guard", that is applied to eliminate static and protect against staining. b) A yarn treatment such as "Stainmaster" where the yarn is specially treated to eliminate static and provide an even higher level of stain protection. It is important to understand that some items can/will stain any carpet, however stain protection will guard against permanent staining from many, many common household items.

It is the combination of all of the above issues that contribute to a finished carpet that is suitable for your flooring needs. Obviously each issue has an effect on the performance,"look", feel and price of the carpet. Many people have their own personal tastes BUT it is important to choose the carpet that has the right "look", colour and anticipated performance level to meet your requirements.

At SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CANADA, we work with industry leaders ... designers, builders and flooring contractors. We are obligated and committed to make sure that they are aware of all your carpeting options that fit your tastes and lifestyle.

 

Texture Types

Smooth Saxony

The most common style of carpet is a Saxony. This is what most consider "normal carpet". It's the type of carpet that shows the vacuum lines after it's been vacuumed, and footprints when you walk on it. It will also begin to show wear and tear more quickly than some of the other styles listed here. We recommend this style of carpet in rooms that don't have a lot of traffic on a constant basis. If used in the correct areas, it provides a very stylish formal look.

Textured Saxony

Textured Saxonies can work beautifully with any decor from casual to formal. A pattern is created out of a single color by giving some of the tufts added twist causing them to curl back on themselves in random directions. These tufts then reflect light differently than the straight tufts. This added twist can help reduce the appearance of vacuum cleaner marks and footprints.

Berber

Berber Looped carpet, more commonly referred to as Berber carpet, has also gained popularity over the years. This carpet style offers excellent durability, while lending its own distinct character to any room. There are many variations in the Berber style. Some are level loop Berbers, where all of the loops are the same height. Another variation is the Multilevel Loop Berber, where the loops may be different sizes as well as different heights. There is a wide range of choices with Berbers - they come in a huge variety of patterns and colors, including Multicolored styles. As a footnote, this style has developed a reputation for being very durable. We would like to point out,however, that just because it is considered a Berber carpet, this doesn't necessarily mean it's a good Berber carpet. Just like with a Saxony or a Textured style, there are different grades of Berber carpet. Ensure you are getting the right grade. They are not all alike.

Frieze

A Frieze style is another popular style. This style is something like the Textured style except that the texturing or twist is much heavier with the Frieze than it is with the Textured style. A good quality Frieze styled carpet can be one of the most durable styles you can buy. With its heavy texturing, it also exhibits some of the same characteristics as the Textured style, such as its ability to hide footprints and vacuum lines, as well as holding up extremely well under heavy traffic.

Is Carpet a Good Choice?
Carpet will deliver wonderful benefits to your client's work or living environment. Some of the major factors to consider are ...

Fashion: With today's wide range of textures and colours, carpet is an effective design tool. Showcase a room with casual simplicity or formal elegance depending on your personal style.
Value: Compared to many other flooring solutions, carpet is one of the most affordable flooring solutions around.
Comfort: Carpet provides a soft, comfortable surface to sit, play and relax on, and as a non-slick walking surface it provides sure footing for toddlers and seniors.
Low Maintenance: Basic care such as vacuuming, fast clean up of spills, and professional cleaning each year is all it takes to ensure a long lasting floor.
Temperature: When it's cold, your carpet will retain the warm air, and in the heat, it remains cooler.
Noise Reduction: Carpet absorbs sound within a room and acts as a sound barrier between floors.

Choosing Colour and Style

	Consider the purpose of the room. For heavy traffic areas, or rooms where children or pets will be, a darker coloured, and more durable carpet will be a better choice.
	Light colours give rooms a larger overall appearance and make a room feel more open. To maximize the visual size of smaller rooms, choose light walls and carpet.
	Dark colours make a room appear smaller and more intimate. Using dark colours in a study or large bedroom can create a cozier and more comfortable effect.
	Red and yellow colours have a warming effect in a sunless room. Blue and green tones have a soothing effect in a sunny room. You can create a formal ambience in a dining room using darker colours, or a fun atmosphere in a family room using bright, vibrant colours.
Light colours show soil more readily than dark. However, dark shades show lint. Our experienced sales professionals can help you find the right colours for your client's lifestyle, needs and the purpose of the room.
Tweeds, pebbled textures, and patterns also disguise spills and dirt effectively.

Types of Carpet
You need to ensure you're buying a carpet that will maintain its appearance, performance and overall value. Here are some elements of carpet you should understand before purchasing:

Loop
Carpets have a continuous uncut surface that resist crushing and matting.

Cut
The loops of a cut pile carpet are cut to expose the yarn ends. A bright fiber will show footprints more than a mid-bright because of the difference in colour between the ends and side of the tuft. There are four styles of cut pile:

Plush/Velvet		For a smooth, formal look in a low traffic area
Saxony		Smooth, level finish, but pile yarns have more twist so that the yarn ends are visible. Minimizes foot prints and vacuum marks.
Frieze		In this cut pile, the yarns are extremely twisted, forming a "curly" textured surface. This informal look also minimizes foot prints and vacuum marks.
Textured Saxony		For a smooth but more visible twist to create a less formal look.
Level Loop Pile		Loops are the same height for an informal look in high traffic areas. Berber styles generally use level loop piles.
Multi-level Loop Pile		Two or three different loop heights to create a pattern effect.
Cut and Loop Pile		A combination of cut and looped yarns. Great for textured, sculptured effects.

 

Carpet Fiber Basics
Fiber is carpet's basic ingredient. The type of fiber used and the way the carpet is constructed determine how well the carpet will stand up to spills, pets, and daily traffic. Approximately 97% of all carpet is produced using synthetic fibers that are designed to feature style, easy maintenance, and outstanding value. There are four basic types of carpet pile fibers:

Nylon
The most popular carpet fiber because of its exceptional durability, versatility, and pricing. Nylon comes in an endless variety of colours and styles.

Polyester
This fiber is soft to the touch and is an excellent choice for many residential applications. Polyester fiber has good colour clarity, built in inherent static control and is resistant to most water soluble stains.

Olefin (Polypropylene)
This fiber is naturally stain/fade resistant. It is favorably priced for both indoor and outdoor applications and resists static electricity.

Wool
Wool is a natural fiber with moderate soil and stain resistance. It is a more costly application but provides a beautiful appearance to carpet.

Undercushion
The purpose of undercushion is to help absorb foot traffic pressure and provide a firm support for the carpet. Carpet undercushion is manufactured in a variety of densities, thicknesses, and weights to meet light, medium, or heavy traffic conditions.

Yarn Twist and Pile Density
The yarn twist is the winding of the yarn around itself. A tighter twist will resist wear, matting and crushing. It will also be easier to maintain and clean

Carpet pile is the yarn on the face of the carpet. The more yarn a carpet contains, the higher its density, and the greater its resiliency. To check density, press the carpet with your fingers to see how easily you can push through to the backing. The less backing you see, the denser the carpet.