First, Choose a Carpet Construction

Texture / Cut Pile Loop / Berber Pattern / LCL Frieze / Twist
Everyday Practical Love Hate Design Style Playful & Fun

More information about these Carpet Types

Texture Carpet  (also known as Cut Pile, Plush Carpet)
Textured Carpet is very common and traditional, but for very good reasons.  Textured carpets with a good density form a flat surface area where soil, spills, and allergens will rest and make it easier to clean.  Look for a good density carpet that will support a brick without the fibers laying down. 
Loop Carpet (also known as Berbers)
Berber carpets are tufted into loops and not sheared.  The truth is, Berbers are cheap, ugly, and soil very easily.  The biggest caveat would be a snag in the loop that runs (which is common with pets).  Loop Carpets have the same construction, but are generally made better, with better fibers, densities, and have better styles.
Pattern Carpets (also known as LCL)
Pattern carpets are becoming popular as they add a design element to your house.  For the most part, these are made into quality carpets by quality carpet mills (they are usually made on expensive looms).  The only caveat would be they lead the house to a formal feeling, which some consumers wouldn't want.
Frieze Carpets (commonly known as Cut Pile Berbers)
Friezes are wildly twisted and loose, and I describe them as fun.  Cut Pile Berbers are simply friezes with a fleck or speck of color.  The caveats are big, however, in that to get a wormy appearance in the carpet, they make it less dense (which is bad for wear), and to get a fleck, they make the base color light (which is bad for soiling and staining).

Second, Choose your Carpet Fiber


 Nylon
(filament) 		Nylon
(staple) 		Olefin
 PET Polyester Smartstrand
Fiber Strength Excellent Rating, four of out four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars
Appearance Retention Excellent Rating, four of out four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars Fair Rating, one out of four stars Good Rating, two out of four stars  Excellent Rating, four of out four stars
Stain Resistant Very Good Rating, three our of four stars Very Good Rating, three our of four stars  Excellent Rating, four of out four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars
Soil Resistant Very Good Rating, three our of four stars Very Good Rating, three our of four stars Fair Rating, one out of four stars Very Good Rating, three our of four stars Very Good Rating, three our of four stars
Cleaning  Very Good Rating, three our of four stars Very Good Rating, three our of four stars Very Good Rating, three our of four stars Very Good Rating, three our of four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars
Available Colors Excellent Rating, four of out four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars Fair Rating, one out of four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars
Piling and Fuzzing Excellent Rating, four of out four stars Fair Rating, one out of four stars Very Good Rating, three our of four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars
Resistance to Harsh Cleaners Very Good Rating, three our of four stars Very Good Rating, three our of four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars Excellent Rating, four of out four stars

More Information about Carpet Fibers

This chart is a comparison of carpet fibers, not carpets.  The main reason I included it is to show how strong of a fiber SmartStrand Triexta PTT is.  You still need to choose a quality carpet that is strong in Density and Twist.

Nylon
Technical Definition:  Petroleum Based Fiber–forming substance.  First used in 1959 in carpet. Offered as BCF or staple. Used in residential and commercial applications. Produced as a solution–dyed fiber or white yarn to–be–dyed. Accounts for 65% of all face fibers in carpet.
My Definition:  Very common carpet fiber.
Polyester (P.E.T.)
Definition coming.
Olefin (polypropolene)
Definition coming.
SmartStrand Triexta
Technical Definition: A completely new form of carpeting fiber made from the combination of 1.3 propanediol (PDO) and terephthalic acid (TPA). Triexta PTT properties are derived from a unique semi–crystalline molecular structure. Used currently in residential applications and as BCF.
Wool
definition coming.

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Carpet Specials

Carpet Brands at IQ

Carpet Installers in Colorado Springs

Matt Rial    719.499.8444
Carpet Installations, Repair, Restretch
John Wohlrabe    303.489.0139
Carpet Installations, Repair, Restretch
Rob Alexander    719.375.9485
Carpet Installations, Repair, Restretch
Dan Terrell    719.246.3351
Carpet Installations, Repair, Restretch

Carpet Construction

Carpet Fibers

Carpet Pad

Carpet FAQ's

Unique Carpet Themes

Poker Carpet / Carpet with Cards

Theater Room Carpet / Movie Reels & Popcorn

Playroom Carpet / Entertainment Carpet

Kids Play Carpet

Camouflage Carpet

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