In the bedroom, where a softer pile will withstand slippers or bare feet, you can afford to look at more luxurious options, but in a high-traffic part of your home like the entrance hall, stairs or passage, you’ll get better performance with a dense, tight, pile.
To gauge the durability of the carpet you’re going to buy, check out factors like thickness, resilience, the material and weight of pile. Do this by pressing your thumb firmly into the pile. The more quickly it springs back and recovers, the denser and more resilient it should be. Our website clearly indicates price, serviceability and durability for every item you look at, making it much easier for you to decide what your perfect finishing touch will be.
Make sure too that you check the ACCS and Wool Board Ratings for your desired product; these are independent ratings that reflect how durable and hard-wearing a carpet is, indicating if it’s fit for the purpose you’ve selected it for.
The density of your carpet is a key factor in a high-traffic area, such as a hallway or stairs, and is determined by how closely knitted each fibre is to another, rather than the depth of pile. Check the carpet to see how much space there is between the tufts; too much and the carpet will lose its look more quickly.
Check the weight of the fabric on like-for-like styles as well, such as one
Modo Tip:
Ask us about samples for you to view in your home and then place them in the lighter and darker areas of the room you’re planning to carpet. This will give you a
great idea of how the colour is affected by light. Stand on the sample too, to see how quickly it springs back into shape.
Which is Which?
Tufted and woven are the two most common types of carpet sold in New Zealand. Woven carpets, like Axminster and Wilton, are labour intensive to make and, while you get a premium product, you’ll also pay a premium price.
Tufted is the most common carpet type these days, made by a row of needles
punching the pile yarn into a base material. It’s easier to manufacture and can be made using all types of yarns with a variety of finishes. Tufted carpet can be looped or cut or both.
Woven
Axminster – Made like a “Persian” rug, with fibres woven in and out through the surface backing on an machine. These carpets are known for their often rather grand, intricate patterned designs, quality and durability, and their expensive price tag. Until recently, most Axminsters came in a velvet finish, but now manufacturers are using twisted yarn as well, to reduce shading.
Wilton – Another luxury, quality carpet, which its name from the type of loom used, which weaves the yarn in a continuous strand. Wilton carpets have a smooth, velvety, woven surface and come in a wide variety of patterns .
Tufted
Twist – Hardwearing carpets with yarn which has been twisted tightly together to create a one-way pile direction. This is the most popular type of carpet currently being produced and comes in plain colours or in a combination of complimentary shades to create a mottled look, which helps hide build up of dust or animal hairs. It’s also a good choice for high traffic areas of your home, like hallways and stairs.
Berber or looped pile – Named after carpets made by the Berber tribe in Africa, a Berber or looped pile carpet is made from uncut continuous loops on the surface and has a distinctive knot appearance. This low-profile pile construction is known for maintaining its appearance. For a busy room, pick a Berber with smaller or tighter loops, which easily bounce back and lower the chance of loops crushing
and matting with wear and tear. A good all-rounder, however, not a great choice if you have pets, particularly cats, as they may pull up the loops with their claws.
Plush – A deep-pile carpet that is popular for bedrooms, this cut pile with long tufts has a gentle, soft feeling underfoot and luxurious look. Its long pile makes it easy to flatten, however, so wardrobe and cupboard feet marks won’t necessarily spring back as you might wish.
Shag – An opulent, luxurious deep Shag pile has extra long tufts to give it its signature shaggy look. Not ideal for areas with high-traffic, but a great texture to put your feet on when you wake up!
Velvet – A short, dense pile and a good choice for a luxurious floor covering in a bedroom, velvet pile has a smooth, cut pile finish and is usually available in solid colours.
Matching Curtains, Blinds & Paint colours to flooring.
Whichever area of your home you’re looking at, our knowledge and experience is a free tool at your disposal. Bring in a cushion or piece of fabric that you think sets the tone you’re looking for; it makes it much quicker for us to find options in the same palette for you.
Besides wool, Triexta Yarn carpet, made with 37% corn sugar fibre,
is another eco-friendly choice.
It may surprise you to learn that all of the materials used in the manufacture of linoleum flooring are biodegradable, all natural, and easily renewable. Linoleumcomes in a wide range of modern and traditional patterns and colours.
Sheet rubber commercial flooring and cork tiles are other earth-wise ranges we keep, so if it’s environmentally friendly you’re after, we certainly have a lot to talk about. Come on in and explore the range!
It’s all part of our stand-out service to do a free absolutely no-obligation quote for you. We’ll come out and accurately measure your home or property, as well as provide you with helpful interior design advice.
Book yours right now; just email us or call MODO toll-free on:
0800 867 028