Carpet Flooring
Our Domestic & Commercial Carpet Flooring Range
Carpets are an excellent way to add style and warmth to any property. At Wessex Flooring, our flooring experts have over 50 years of experience supplying and fitting carpets for domestic and commercial clients within the Andover and Salisbury area. We provide a wide range of carpets from leading manufacturers and suppliers in the UK and our team can offer expert advice on choosing the right carpet for your home or business. To assist we can bring samples to you or you can visit our showroom.
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All Carpets are Made to Measure
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Choosing The Right Carpet
Choosing the right carpet can be daunting, there are many factors to consider when choosing the type of carpet for each room. The lounge carpet needs to be hard-wearing as do the hall stairs and landing. Bedrooms are the place where a more comfortable softer feel carpet will be more popular. Usually, bedroom carpets are less expensive than others.
There are three main types of carpet; loop, cut pile and woven. There are subdivisions within these categories which we outline in more detail below.
Types Of Carpet
Loop Pile
In this type of carpet the material is looped from thicker yarns of either wool, nylon, polypropylene or a blend of these fibres. The carpet has a bounce to it and is very hard wearing. The loops can be level or at different heights. The former is dense and very durable and has a natural appearance. Higher loop versions give a more luxurious appearance. In general, this type of carpet cleans easily, looks good and is highly practical. It is however a carpet which we don’t advise if you have a cat as their claws can snag on the fibres.
Frieze
This condensed twisted cut pile carpet has a tight low-profile surface. Its somewhat rough texture is tough and resilient and ideal for high traffic areas. The short fibres twisting in different directions show few marks.
Cut & Loop
Combining fibres cut and looped provides a surface that can be the base for textures and patterns. This multi-fibre combination hides stains and footprints and works well where there is high footfall.
Axminster
The carpet pile is woven into a fabric base before being cut to length. This creates a u-shaped tuft that has a slight velvety appearance. The process gives both versatilities in design and a long-life expectancy.
Loop (Berber)
Although Berber traditionally referred to a neutral light and dark flecked carpet it is today associated with any looped style regardless of colour. It is woven from thicker yarns of either wool, nylon, polypropylene or a blend of these fibres. The carpet has a bounce to it and is very hard wearing. The loops can be level or at different heights. The former is dense and very durable and has a natural appearance. Higher loop versions give a more luxurious appearance. In general, loop pile carpets clean easily, look good and are highly practical. Most carpet tiles use a loop format. It is a popular choice in offices. However, in the home, it is a carpet which we don’t advise if you have a cat as their claws can snag on the fibres.
Twist
This is one of the bestselling and most popular carpet types in the UK. The highly twisted yarn gives a well-defined textured surface that is exceptionally durable and shows few marks. It is ideal if one is considering a plain coloured carpet.
Shag Pile
This long pile carpet, sometimes to a fibre length of 50mm, provides a very deep and luxurious carpet. Sadly, it flattens easily and does not have other cut pile carpets' strength and wear characteristics. Rugs are often shag piles.
Wilton
This carpet is similar to Axminster but is woven with a continuous fibre throughout the manufacturing process. The pile is then cut to a range of textured finishes. As the oldest form of carpet making Wilton takes the cherry in unrivalled quality, luxury and performance.
Carpet Backing & Underlay
The backing fabric used with carpets depends on the material and weave employed. There is usually a primary backing to which the carpet is woven. A secondary backing, often polypropylene, is glued to the primary fabric to give stability and strength. Underlay is a separate thin cushioned layer, available in various thicknesses, made of sponge or crumb rubber or foam. It is laid under most carpets to assist comfort, reduce wear and improve insulation. Other ‘all in one’ backing materials include synthetic jute, felt and gel foam. No separate underlay is needed as these act as built-in underlays, therefore, reducing costs.
Cut Pile
This is a highly popular carpet. The loops, created by the weaving process, are cut at the top. The material is upstanding and is less resistant to crushing than other carpets.
Saxony
This is a tightly twisted pile of two or more fibres. The top of the pile is recognisable as it doesn’t blend forming a soft feel with a luxurious finish instead. These carpets tend to show vacuum-cleaner tracks and footprints rather too easily, so their popularity is limited. They are not so robust as other carpets though.
Velvet, Velour or Plush
These carpets have a sheared pile resulting in a lovely soft, luxury feel. The twist in the pile is minimal and this helps blend the pile ends enhancing the finish. The appearance can be affected by light variations. This can cause colour shading when viewed from different angles. This is particularly noticeable with plain coloured carpets. It is however a popular choice for bedrooms.
Woven Carpets
Most woven carpets of this type are wool and tend to be at the top end of the market. They represent some of the finest carpets you can buy. They can be produced in most combinations and work well in pattern formats. Some carpets integrate manmade fibres with wool to give additional strength. An 80–20% ratio is common. Most woven carpets of this grade are heavier than other types.
Flat Weave
Somewhat similar to Wilton carpets is a version with a loop pile. The yarn is cross weaved providing a flatter, more textured finish. It is very hard wearing. Mats are often made by the flat weave method.
