Get to know carpet jargon

Know your Tufted Twist from your Saxony with our handy guide to carpet styles and materials

Materials
Carpets are made from the following natural and synthetic fibres, which are often blended together to get the best performance:

Wool is a classic carpet fibre. It is soft, durable, keeps its looks and is easy to dye.

Nylon is very strong and doesn't flatten easily. It is often used in blends with wool.

Polypropylene is stain resistant and wears well but is flammable and flattens easily.

Polyester wears well and is easily cleaned but does flatten.

80/20 carpets are a mix of 80% wool with 20% man-made fibre, usually nylon, to improve durability.

Find out more about choosing the right carpet for your home.

Tufted twist pile is a cut-pile carpet, where yarn is given an added twist in the spinning process to make more of a textured surface. It's great for hallways stairs and main rooms

Velvet piles have a smooth, luxurious appearance like suede. There isn't much difference in performance between a twist pile and a velvet pile, but their appearance is softer and uses a shorter pile that looks good in formal rooms

Saxony has a sensuous feel with a deep pile and yarn tufts that are packed closely together to form a smooth surface, making it a very popular choice for bedrooms. Saxony carpets do flatten so aren't practical in high traffic areas

Loop or cord piles has a rugged appearance similar to natural flooring, such as coir and sisal and typically they come in natural shades. It looks good in hallways and stairs. However, if you have pets, this style isn't a good option as long claws can catch the loops

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