Carpet types

A carpet can come in many different carpet types. This page introduces the most common carpet types. Choosing the right carpet type and carpet style can make a great difference in how the carpet will look and feel in your home and what the carpet will offer; therefore, it is important to pay attention to carpet types.

Common carpet types

The following is a list of common carpet types:

Tufted carpet type

The first of carpet types is a tufted carpet. Tufted carpets have their pile injected into a backing material on a tufting machine. Tufting is the most common method of manufacturing of indoor carpets. A tufted carpet is often made from a single colored or sometimes a non-colored yarn and dyed separately later in the second phase of the manufacturing process. Tufted carpets can either be cut pile, loop pile, or a combination of both. Tufted carpets are more economical to produce than for example woven carpets and are normally found at the lower end of the market.

Woven carpet type

A woven carpet type is produced on a loom almost similar to a loom that is used to produce woven cloth. The pile of a woven carpet can be plush (cut pile) or berber (loop pile). Woven carpets often combine many colored yarns or carpet fibers to produce intricate patterns from pre-determined designs. Woven carpets are usually the most expensive due to the relatively slow speed of the manufacturing process.

Needlefelt carpet type

Needlefelt carpet types are normally found in commercial use, such as in hotels, etc. Needlefelt carpets are suitable for high-traffic use.

Knotted carpet type

Knotted carpets utilize a special technique to attach the fibers to the warp of the carpet called knotting. The structural weft threads alternate with a supplementary weft that rises at perpendicular angles to the surface of the weave. This gives the carpet a clean carpet look. Oriental rugs and carpets such as Persian carpet and Kashmir carpet are still even in today's days knotted by hand. Persian and Kashmir carpets are special carpet types created by knotting.

Flatweave carpet type

Flatweave carpets are made by interlocking warp and weft threads. This technique is often used on tapestry. Flatweave carpets are popular in the orient and Japan.

Hooked (handicraft) carpet type

Hooked carpets are made by hand by pulling strips of cloth such as wool or cotton through the meshes of a very sturdy fabric. The carpet market is a vast market with many carpet types made by many carpet manufacturers to choose from.