Durability is a priority for many people when choosing a new carpet. Whether you have young children, plan on getting a puppy or just like to throw a great party, there are a multitude of reasons why practicality could play an important role in your decision.

 

There are several different types of carpet, all with varying properties, which may initially appear somewhat baffling to the carpet novice. In this post we’ll provide a useful breakdown of the various options available and how they fare in the durability contest.

 

Loop Pile

 

A highly popular choice, loop pile carpets are durable and practical while also looking stylish and sophisticated. For heavy wear areas that require serious durability, loop pile carpets are ideal as they hide footprints and require minimal maintenance.

 

Unfortunately, the one drawback is that they are not suitable for cats, as they tend to damage the carpet when their claws get stuck in the loops. Other pets such as dogs do not pose any problems as their claws are not hooked like cats. We would certainly recommend loop pile carpet for its impressive durability.

 

Twist Pile

 

Twist pile carpet is another highly durable option and is popular precisely because of its practical implementation. As with loop pile carpet, it is the ideal choice for high traffic household areas, such as hallways, stairs and living rooms. For maximum durability, choose the weathered appearance over the plain as it is even more effective at disguising damage or marks. Plus, unlike loop pile carpet, it will not cause a problem with any pets.

 

Luxury Saxony

 

A common assumption with luxury and soft carpet is that they have poor durability. Although traditionally this may have been true, the latest innovations in technology have led to vast improvements in this area. As well as lasting longer, they are now significantly better at withstanding stains and are often even softer than wool.

 

There are certainly alternative carpets available that would offer an even higher level of durability. However, it is not worth ruling out soft or luxury carpets just because of their perceived lack of durability; first and foremost it depends on the room you are looking to carpet, in addition to the amount of resilience that you require.

 

Saxony carpets are known primarily for their comfort and cosiness, combining an elegant look with durability due to the way they are constructed. They are relatively hard-wearing and efficiently conceal marks, making them a popular choice for bedrooms, children’s rooms and family rooms. Although the dreamy feel underfoot means that indentations from furniture and footfall can show more easily, regular vacuuming greatly reduces this and textured saxony carpets can prevent this altogether.

 

Man-Made Easy Clean

 

Man-made (or synthetic) carpets are increasingly popular and make up the largest portion of the household carpet market. There are many advantages of a man-made carpet but the primary reason why synthetic fibres are preferred by many is that they are particularly durable. There are different types of fibres used so the characteristics of man-made carpets can differ slightly depending on the fibre.

 

Man-made carpets get their reputation for durability from their stain resistant, fade resistant and hard-wearing abilities. They are also available in a wide range of colours so they work well for the design conscious buyer, plus they are a really cost effective option.

 

Natural Plant Fibre Carpets (e.g. Sisal)

 

The market for natural carpets is one that continues to grow as consumers increasingly show a preference for the use of natural materials. These carpets can be hard-wearing and offer a unique feel along with a rustic style. There are various types of natural carpets (just to add further complication to the carpet conundrum) and some are more durable than others.

 

Sisal carpets are made from a naturally tough plant fibre grown in South America and Africa. Although coarse to the touch, sisal carpets are relatively hard-wearing and offer the very desirable rustic look. A fashionable choice, however, they have a tendency to stain easily so this will need to be considered in the light of room choice and personal requirements.

 

Summary

 

Nowadays, all carpets offer a reasonable level of durability so it is a case of assessing your own personal situation and making a decision based on the characteristics that are most important to you. The room type, presence of children or pets and general lifestyle are all points to consider in the process. If you would like to discuss your options further then one of our experts would be delighted to help.

 

Posted in Carpet