Choosing a Carpet Style
If you haven't shopped for carpet in a while, you may not be aware that you have so many choices. Your lifestyle will be a key factor in determining which flooring choice is right for you. Families in the spring of their life require high performance floors. As children mature and a family grows, floor covering requirements change. More emphasis can be placed on style, color and the overall impact the right floor covering brings to the room. Following is a brief overview of the many design options available in wall-to-wall carpeting today.
Berber - Loop pile construction that is typically considered casual. In coastal states they may be used throughout the living areas, while in more central areas they might be designated to recreation rooms and basements. They are available with a pattern or without, and patterns can range from small graphic designs such as diamonds or squares, to larger, more intricate patterns that resemble floral or botanical motifs or even overall geometric patterns.
Saxony - Smooth, velvety texture that is very formal and elegant. A characteristic of a Saxony is to show natural shading of light and dark streaks as seen in footprints and vacuum cleaner marks. Some people prefer this natural shading, as it lends a rich lushness to the overall appearance. To others it is merely a nuisance and they prefer not to see these marks. There are a lot of casual styles on the market which minimize these characteristics.
Textured Saxony - More casual in appearance, at first glance the yarn has a two-toned look. What you are actually seeing is the reflection and absorption of light on the tips of the yarns. The result is that it shows less significant tracking and vacuum marks. Textured Saxonies are a good choice for an active lifestyle.
Frieze - For even less shading, you might select a frieze style of carpeting. Frieze means "coarse, shaggy, woolen", and is characterized by tall, thin yarns that are curled. It is a very casual look, has lots of texture and shows the least amount of tracking marks. It also is generally in a low luster fiber that gives it a more natural, wool-like appearance. Friezes are a smart choice for any high traffic area, as they also have a very high twist level. Twist is what gives carpet resilience, making it look new longer. Colorations in frieze range from solid colors to jewel-toned multi-colors, as well as "cut Berbers", which are off whites with earth-toned flecks.
Patterned Carpets - If you have a more formal room that you really want to add some splash to, you might consider a patterned carpet. While in the past patterns were created by adding color to the design, today's patterns rely more on texture, resulting in a variety of very elegant looks. There are a multitude of styles available in a cut & uncut construction that create pattern and texture in a solid color. The color palettes are very sophisticated, mostly in soft golds, burnished browns and muted greens, and since you are working with a single color it is easy to blend this look into your existing décor.
