There are two basic carpet constructions: cut pile and loop pile. They can also be combined in one surface design to create a cut and loop construction. These constructions can also produce a vast range of different surface effects that are known as styles:
Cut Pile Styles: Plush, Twist & Hard Twist
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There are different classifications of cut pile carpets, and these refer mainly to the twist level of the pile yarn and description of the pile length.
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TwistAnother popoular cut-pile sytle, a twist has a relatively high pile and the end of the tuft flairs slightly to produce a luxurious smooth surface. ‘Plush’ cut pile constructions are similar to the twist but have a lower pile height and tighter tuft definition (with little to no ‘tip flair’). PlushPlush is also a level-cut pile. The yarn has a little more twist than a velvet pile carpet, and is usually set to retain this twist (water, steam, dye or chemical setting are used to set wool yarns). |
Loop pile styles: Level Loop & Multilevel Loop
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Level LoopA simple loop pile with tufts of equal height normally in a ‘tight’ construction using fairly fine yarn. |
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Multi LevelThis is also referred to as high-low loop or sculptured loop. As these names imply, this carpet is made up of different pile heights, two or three heights being the most common. The difference in height creates a surface that can be described as sculptured, with the pattern appearing to have been carved from the carpet. |