New Homes & Lifestyles

Q & A With Housing Experts - Carpeting

What are the latest trends in carpeting?

Two current trends in carpeting prevail: patterned and high performing, low-maintenance carpet. Homeowners are looking for more fashion-driven options such as a solid color pattern or more colorful rug-like patterns. Homeowners are also looking for casual carpeting for active areas in the home such as a family room or any cozy environment. Shag-like carpets with color fleck are growing in popularity as it has high twist yarns that help the carpet perform. The fleck tends to minimize the appearance of small amounts of soiling.

Describe the key elements that determine carpet quality.
• Twist: The tighter the yarn is twisted, the longer it will maintain its appearance.
• Density: Density refers to how close the strands are together. Carpet density is a great indicator of carpet performance and quality
• Fiber type: Premium nylon offers great longevity for performance and easy cleanup. Other fibers such as polyester and polypropylene cannot offer the same quality.
• Face weight: Assuming all other elements are met—twist, density and fiber type—the greater the face weight (ounces per square yard) of the carpet, the higher the quality. However, face weight alone is not an indicator of high quality carpet and must encompass the other elements as well.

Combining fiber types to enhance the quality of the carpet can create a highly stylized look and offer an endless combination of choices for homeowners.