Info about Carpets
Carpets
A carpet is a term used to describe a hard floor covering consisting of “piles” or threads attached to a backing of some kind. The piles are usually made from wool or other man-made materials and usually contain twisted tufts. The word carpet is derived from Old Italian carpita, “carpire” meaning to pluck. The term was once used to describe wall and table coverings, as the Europeans did not use carpets on their floors until the 18th century.
There are various types of carpeting. They are woven, needlefelt, knotted, tufted, and other. The woven variety is produced on a loom similar to what woven cloth is produced on. The woven carpet usually has cut piles, although sometimes you can find twisted piles. The woven carpet is usually the most expensive kind because of the time it takes to produce them. Needle felt carpets depend more on technology than some other carpets. These extremely durable carpets are produced by electrostatic fibres being bound together. One usually finds these kind of carpets in restaurants, hotels, and offices. Knotting by hand is used primarily on Oriental rugs and Kashmir rugs. The fibers have alternating lengths which form right angles, similar to shag carpet. Tufted carpets have their piles injected into a backing and then placed on another backing. Tufted carpet manufacturing is the most widely used method for domestic carpeting in the world. Other types of weaving include flatweave, plainweave, and tapestry weave. Hook rugs are now really considered to be made as a handicraft. Unlike woven carpets, embroidered carpets are not formed on a loom. These types of carpet were usually made by royal women in their home, and not for commercial use. Woven carpets are produced on a loom. There are both vertical and horizontal looms, and both have been used to produce some carpets.
Carpets are made from either blended or single synthetic or natural fibers. Manufacturers choose fibers based on several things: cost, ease of manufacturing, appearance, and durability. Nylon and polypropylene are the main yarns used to produce most carpets in approximately 80% of commercial production. The types of materials used to produce carpets are nylon, polypropylene, wool and wool blends, and polyester. Nylon is the most common material used to create carpets. Nylon carpets can be dyed and easily printed, so they are popular. Prices go up and down according to oil prices, as nylon is a petroleum based material. Nylon also stains very easily due to dye spots on the fibers. Polypropylene is an inexpensive material that is often used. Some carpets made with this material does not dye easily, nor does it wear well, like nylon or wool. Wool or wool blends are very durable, they dye really easily, and are in fairly abundant supply. When wool is blended with other materials such as nylon, its durability increases sharply. Polyester is another material used in carpets. Polyester resists stains very well because it is hydrophobic, and it does not have dye sites like nylon. Polyester carpets fall into the mid to low price range on the market. These are the various kinds of materials used to produce carpets.