80:20
The 80% wool 20% nylon mix combines the softness of wool with the strength of nylon to create a more hardwearing yarn.
Axminster
A way of making woven carpets that offers great pattern definition. Most Axminster carpets are patterned.
Wilton
The oldest method of weaving, offering limited colour choice but a variety of textures.
Woven
A traditional process where the pile and backing yarns are woven together, offering unrivalled strength and stability. You can spot a woven carpet by the warp and weft threads on the reverse. Both axminster and Wilton carpets are woven.
Tufted
Tufts of yarn are punched through a backing membrane and secured by latex. Tufting is a less time-consuming, and therefore less costly process than weaving.
Pile
The pile is the bit you stand on. 'Total pile weight' refers to the amount of yarn used to make the carpet. Deep-pile carpets feel more luxurious, while more rows of yarn are harder wearing.
Twist
A type of carpet that uses yarn with a higher twist than usual, to create a textured surface.
Velvet
Straighter than twisted yarn, with the cut ends at the top, giving a soft, velvety surface.
Berber
Traditionally berbers were made from natural-coloured wools, but what we refer to these days as a berber is a heather with a 'homespun' appearance.
Heather
Carpet yarn made from more than one fibre colour, giving a flecked, multicoloured effect.
|