Whether you're remodeling or rebuilding, you should know about the materials that go into your home. Interior design isn't just about a space that looks pretty, it's also about creating a space that is well built and most importantly: built to last. Knowing how your carpet is made is important to knowing how to clean and maintain it properly, as well as knowing how long it will last you until you need to replace it. Here's the lowdown on carpeting, how it's made, and how it affects you.
Manufacturing Methods for Carpeting
If you're working with a contractor, interior design professional or otherwise, you may get asked if you would prefer a woven carpet or a tufted carpet in your space. Chances are, you've stopped and had to think if you even knew what the difference was between the two.
Carpeting is made through one of two methods: woven or tufting. Woven carpets can be made by hand but they can also be made by machine. They also tend to be the higher quality because of their construction. Tufting, on the other hand, is a purely manufacturing process in which a machine does all the work. In reality, the construction method has little to do with interior design, as both methods can be used to create a plethora of styles, shapes and colors for your carpeting.
In fact, no matter what method you opt for, the dying typically doesn't start until after the carpet has been manufactured. So don't fear if you feel you will limited on carpet choices for your bedroom designs or your living room designs, as the actual construction method is honestly a bit irrelevant to the style and color.
It is worth noting that woven or tufting isn't the difference in the actual texture but rather just refers to the manufacturing process. Once the carpet has been woven or "tufted," it may or may not go through a process in which it becomes a cut pile carpet. In these instances, the pile loops are stretched, then cut. This is how the carpet gets the soft, squishy feeling beneath your feet.
Following this, carpeting receives a final layer of backing to help stabilize it for both installation and use. Many carpets today come with stain protection, but if your chosen option doesn't, you may want to ask if this is a possible add-on or if there are alternative after-market options you could consider.
Knowing how carpet is made is important for one sole reason: when you're remodeling (or building,) you want to know exactly what it is you're getting for the money. The last thing anyone wants is to purchase a "high quality carpet," but not know why it's high quality or what makes it so great, only to find out that it's not actually that "high quality." Having this knowledge to take to your carpet salesperson, (your contractor or your interior design professional) shows that you're serious about what you're getting for what you're paying.
