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Nearly every new home requires some form of carpet. But what kind will you install? Berber, level loop pile, frieze, Saxony or something else? With so many carpet styles available, it can be tough to choose a style when you’re not sure what a cut and loop pile carpet is. By learning the terminology first, you can easily make an informed decision when you have new carpet installed in your home. Use this guide to carpet and you’ll be on your way to buying the right carpet to suit your homes design elements.

Cut Pile

This carpet is one of the most commonly used carpet styles and is easily recognized. As loop fibers are pulled through the back of the mat, the top loop is cut leaving an exposed bundle standing straight up. Multiple cuts create a plush look that is less resistant to crushing than many other carpet styles. Cut pile carpet can be used in just about any room. Cut pile also includes frieze, velvet, texture and Saxony styles. 

Saxony / Plush Pile

While the process for making Saxony carpet is similar to cut pile, there are some differences.  When the fibre loops are pulled through the mat, they are twisted together with two or more fibres and heatset straight. This medium durability carpet has a softer texture than typical cut pile.   The carpet has an opulent and luxurious look so this style is best suited to formal areas like dining rooms and master bedrooms, as footprints and vacuum cleaner marks show up easily in this style of carpet. 

Textured Saxony is slightly different because textures are heatset into the carpet, creating an impressed texture that changes the shades of the carpets color, helping to disguise footprints or vacuum cleaner lines. Bedrooms and living rooms are a great place for this carpet style. 

Frieze

This carpet is made just like Saxony with the exception that carpet fibers are heavily twisted and shorter fibers. Fibers curl in multiple directions, making this carpet style suitable for higher traffic areas like bedrooms and living rooms. 

Level Loop Pile

Unlike cut loop, as the carpet fibers are weaved through the mat, the yarn is pulled into level loops. Because level loop piles are tightly packed, they are extremely durable and resist crushing well. This style carpet allows for easy cleaning, as the dirt isn’t pressed down between the yarns like a cut loop carpet. Level loop carpet also comes in tall loops and multi-level loops that create a more impressive look that is used more commonly in higher end homes.  

Berber

This popular carpet style is manufactured just like level loop pile but thicker yarns are used. Typically a wool mix is used, setting the price for this carpet much higher than conventional level loop pile. Synthetic fibers can be used to bring down the price. While this carpet is resilient in higher trafficked rooms, loops can easily snag, damaging the carpet. 

Cut and Loop Pile

A combination of both cut and loop piles of yarn, this style of carpet is often used with a heatset to form patterns or textures into the fibers. A wide variety of colors are also available with standard cut and loop pile carpets, creating a gorgeous carpet fit for nearly any room in your home.