Carpet Materials

Carpet is synonymous with luxury and warmth. While choosing a carpet the first thing one usually considers is the color and then the style. Fact is that the material of the carpet should be given enough importance. Carpet materials are decided considering the location and the purpose of the carpet and the circumstances like presence of kids, and pets etc.

Wool
Wool offers a deep, rich appearance.

It has a luxurious hand. It is extremely durable. It is naturally stain resistant. It has excellent piling quality. It requires high maintenance. It dyes beautifully It resists flame.

Wool carpet can be used in high moisture areas as well. Its light scattering qualities give it a lustrous look. Pile woolen carpets are a little more difficult to maintain than the flat weave. Being a natural fiber chances of allergy are reduced. Depending upon the pile, they can even be used for high traffic areas. It is the most favored material for the piles of oriental rugs and carpets. They often have cotton foundation but at time the weft may be of wool. Cotton foundation provides better strength.

Silk

Silk is luxurious. Silk is rich. It has high tensile strength. It can be dyed in brilliant colors. They have high artistic value. They have more decorative value. They are preferred for low to medium traffic areas. They require high maintenance. Damp spoils silk carpets

Silk again is a natural fiber and is neutral to skin. The fiber is so lustrous that weavers at times exploit the play of light in their patterns. Silk makes wonderful oriental carpets. It is also used as highlights of the pattern in woolen carpets. They are rich and expensive and have greater ornamental value. They are usually made on the cotton foundation but some may even have silk foundation.

Jute

It is one of the finest fibers. It has a soft texture. They have a natural sheen. It is slippery when damp. It requires medium maintenance. It can be woven, knitted, twisted, corded, sewn, or braided. It can be bleached and dyed. They can be piled or flat woven.

Jute rugs are one of the most economic investments. They have been introduced late in the carpet and rug section but have created a niche due to jute's inherent qualities. They can be woven into beautiful patterns and weaves and are perfect area and accent rugs. Only problem that a jute rug may have is that it tends to stain in moisture and dampness and does not handle moisture and water well.

Synthetic fibers
Nylon is the most preferred synthetic carpet material. Other fibers are polyester, olefin and acrylic. Nylon is the most durable of all, resilient, and easy to clean and maintain. Olefin is preferred for outdoors due to its resistance for water damage pilling and static. Polyester is not so durable but easy to maintain. It offers a vide variety of textures but susceptible to pilling and shedding.