Shopping for Carpet: Jargon Buster

What do the terms 'pile', 'loop' and 'twist' all have in common? You can probably guess that they relate to carpet manufacture, but explaining the individual definitions of these words could prove more tricky. You might come across them when you're shopping for carpet, so it can help to know the basics. 

To assist you in finding the right style of carpet to suit your home, we've put together this handy jargon buster for six terms you may encounter.

• Pile. This is the strands of yarn that are attached to a backing, forming your carpet. Traditionally made of wool, nowadays carpet pile is often made with a variety of synthetic fibres such as nylon or polyester.
  
• Loop pile. This is a type of carpet construction that consists of loops of yarn. The loops are either formed at the same height (level loop) for a smooth surface, or in varied heights, for a textured effect.
  
• Cut pile. Carpet fabric where the lips have been cut. Carpets can also be made of a mixture of cut and loop.
  
• Berber. Traditionally a carpet constructed of coarse yarns, with random flecks of colour against a background colour.
  
• Twist. A yarn manufacturing process where fibres are twisted around each other and heatset, forming stronger, more defined yarn.
  
• Velvet cut pile. The softness of the velvet is created by an evenly distributed, dense pile, where the loops are cut very short.
  

Browse our Range of Luxury Carpets

Now you know a bit more about how carpets are manufactured, why not come along to our Norwich showroom to browse our range? We have a huge selection of luxurious carpets for you to sample, all handpicked from some of the UK’s most innovative designers.

For more information about choosing the cosiest carpet for your home, call our showroom on 01603 879359. Alternatively, you can email any questions that you may have to sales@reformflooring.co.uk.

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