Know the Benefits of Textured Saxony Carpet

Saxony carpet has been around for a very long time, and is probably the picture that comes to mind when most people think of carpet.  Saxony is a cut-pile type of carpet with vertical fibers cut evenly across the top.  Saxony is typically taller with longer fibers than a loop pile like Berber, although is not as long and luxurious as Frieze carpet.

Straight Saxony For a Velvety Feel

Straight Saxony is also called velvet Saxony due to the smooth feel this style provides.  This type of carpet fiber has a luxurious feel but will show foot traffic as the fibers are swept from one direction to another.  Some people don’t mind this, as the soft and luxurious feel of the Saxony provides enough of a benefit.

Textured Saxony Carpet

Textured Saxony is also referred to as trackless, due to the difference in fibers that are twisted so that they reflect light differently when brushed and are less likely to show the foot traffic of a straight Saxony carpet type.  Textured Saxony carpets are a very popular choice in busy households, as the ability to mask the constant footprints in between vacuums leaves your carpet looking soft and plush.  

This is a huge benefit of the textured style, along with several other benefits of Saxony carpet realized with both straight and textured styles of Saxony carpet.   Both straight and textured Saxony provide appealing aesthetics in any room where softness is desired.  

Benefits of Saxony Carpet

Saxony carpet is comfortable in both casual or formal rooms with variations of density providing consumers with a choice of selecting either low or high density.  The higher density is beneficial in high traffic areas such as busy rooms and hallways.  Where softness is desired such as bedrooms or dens, a more pliable texture with lower density might feel more pleasing

With Saxony carpet you have a uniform height and color that provides a basic backdrop to accent any room with furniture and décor to your style.  Saxony will generally go with anything, allowing you to let your style show through without dominating patterns or busy colors.

Consumers are in control of the cost with Saxony carpet, as the lesser dense variations are typically less expensive.  When used in commercial settings, consumers should consider the higher density even if the cost is higher to provide the quality and durability desired.

Installing new carpet is an investment into your home or office, and receiving the quality and durability you deserve is key to realizing the desired return on your investment.  You don’t want to compromise on the quality of carpet with the lowest price, only to replace it years sooner than expected.

Enjoy long lasting durability with textured Saxony carpet, available in various materials including polyester, wool and nylon.   How long your carpet lasts is dependent upon the type of carpet fiber, the density and twist.  Start with quality fibers and materials from a carpet and flooring company you can trust, for the best value and return on your investment.  

Great Western Flooring Company has been pleasing customers for more than 35 years with high quality flooring products and professional installation.  Stop by one of our conveniently located design centers in Naperville, Oswego and St. Charles or schedule an in-home appointment with an experienced design consultant.   

Modern Shag Carpets are Classy and Sophisticated

When you hear of Shag carpets, you may think of the of long shaggy carpets of the late 1970’s in greens and golds with multicolored textures.  Shag carpets have come a long way since then, with modern shag carpeting offering luxurious softness with a look of sophistication.  

Shag carpeting is constructed with dense cable yarn making it extremely soft, which is desirable in upscale bedrooms for example, although the soft feel of shag creates a cozy warm feeling in any room.   The typical shag carpet is usually at least a one inch pile, so that the yarns lay randomly when exposed to foot traffic.  

A shorter shag is a cut-pile plush usually a half an inch to three-quarters of an inch, with a little more density.  This is a shorter pile but gives a similar luxurious feel to the shag carpet, with the fibers still falling randomly with foot traffic.  

Quality Shag Carpet Manufacturers

Shag carpet can come in any color imaginable, and when purchased from a reputable manufacturer you can rest assured that your carpet will provide the comfort and softness you desire for many years.  

Quality carpet fibers are necessary for a quality carpet, and Great Western Flooring offers only the best in quality carpets and flooring.  Great Western Flooring has been installing quality carpets, flooring and countertops to commercial and residential customers in the Chicagoland area for over 35 years.

Our carpet and flooring products are the highest in quality, installed by trained carpet professionals with state-of-the-art equipment.  We can assist you in determining the best carpet for your room or project, based on the environment and your specifications, providing long lasting comfort at an affordable cost.  

Stop by one of our showrooms and see how we can help you add quality flooring to your space, improving your comfort and adding value to your home.  Contact us today to speak with one of our knowledgeable carpet and flooring experts for a FREE consultation.  

Match Your Carpet Pile to Your Carpet Purpose

The type of carpet pile refers to the carpet fiber density, and goes along with the height of the pile. This is measured from the surface of the carpet to the backing, where a flat pile refers to a short pile, and shaggy carpet would have a long pile.   Depending on the purpose of the carpeted room, and exposure to elements, high traffic areas and how long you want your carpet to last, the right pile can go a long way in the proper setting.   Conversely, the wrong choice in pile can lead to a much quicker wear and tear and the need to replace your carpet sooner than you would like.

Loop Pile

Loop Pile carpet has dense looped strands for a clean, low profile look.  This type of carpet construction is also quite durable, making it ideal for areas of high activity.  Looped pile carpet comes in various styles, including Berber, level loop, and multi-level loop for a variety of textures and options.  The loops in Berber carpet are made of thick bulky yarns of either wool, nylon or polypropylene, and can be either level loop, or multi-level loop.

Level Loop Pile

Level loop carpet pile is very durable and resistant to tracking as they are made with weaving even loops into the carpet backing.  Level loop pile carpet is densely packed making it easy to clean, and ideal for high traffic areas.

Multi-Level Loop Pile

Pile that is multi-level loop, is a loop with two to three varying heights in the pile, giving a textured look.  The variation in pile can provide a durable appearance, but the loops may be easy to snag.

Cut Pile

Cut Pile is like a loop pile, except the loops are cut at the top of the loop leaving the yarn bundles standing straight.  This is a very popular carpet pile, but is less resistant to crushing that the loop pile.  There are many variations of cut pile, including Saxony, Frieze and Twist.

Let the carpet professionals at Great Western Flooring help you determine the best types of carpet pile for your needs.  We have over 35 years of experience pleasing customers in Chicago and surrounding areas with high quality and low-cost flooring and countertops.  Contact us today for a free no-obligation quotation or stop by one of our showrooms to see how we can help you with your carpet new carpet installation.  

Comparing Carpet Fiber Types and Characteristics

Carpets are made out of basically four different carpet fiber types, although some carpets are made with blends.  Each fiber has characteristics and qualities unique to that fiber type, and you should choose the right carpet fiber type for your purpose.  It is important to consider the environment in which you install your carpet, the foot traffic it will receive, the conditions it will be exposed to, and how long you want it to last.  

The four basic carpet fiber types are: Nylon, Polyester, PTT and Polypropylene.  Let’s take a look at the characteristics of each of those and compare their qualities.  

Nylon Carpet Fiber Types

Nylon is known as the most versatile of all carpet fiber types, with excellent performance in all categories of stain and soil resistance, texture retention, and options for style and colors.  Nylon is the most widely used carpet fiber, and is used in both loop and cut pile styles.

Nylon has great flexibility with color, and many nylon yarns are very soft.  Nylon carpet can be stain and soil resistant, and nylon carpet from Shaw is treated with stain resistant carpet treatment for added protection.  

Polyester (PET) Carpet Fiber Types

Carpet made of polyester fibers are exceptionally soft, and naturally stain and fade resistance, although polyester is not as strong as nylon.  Therefore, carpet made from polyester carpet fibers will not be quite as durable as nylon carpet fiber types.   This is why polyester carpet is desirable in low to medium traffic areas.  

Shaw makes polyester fiber carpet that will deliver high performance, with several styles to choose from.  

Polypropylene Carpet Fiber Types (Olefin)

Polypropylene, also known as Olefin, is a carpet fiber type that is solution dyed.  This means that the color is literally built into the fiber when manufactured, making the color permanent that cannot be removed.  Solution dyed polypropylene carpet fiber provides great resistance to fading, even when exposed to direct sunlight and harsh elements.

Polypropylene is also very water resistant, as it will not absorb water, making it one of the most ideal carpet fiber types for water proof carpeting.  Olefin is not quite as strong and durable as other fibers and is used in more loop pile textures which require less resiliency.  

PTT (Triexta Polyester) Carpet Fiber Types

Polyester fiber, also known as PTT or Triexta, first became popular in the 1990’s when low-cost production became possible.  Shaw introduced the first PTT carpet fiber types for residential use in 2001, featuring excellent stain resistance and resiliency.  PTT is adequate for stain resistance, although can attract dirt and soil which can lead to premature wearing in high traffic areas.  

For more information on all available carpet fiber types contact Great Western Flooring, your flooring and carpet expert.

Great Western Flooring is a professional flooring and carpet installation company, serving the Chicagoland area for over 35 years.   We have experience in determining the best carpet fiber types for your specific application.  Stop by one of conveniently located design centers in Naperville, Oswego or St. Charles.  Call today to schedule a design consultation, and to speak with one of our flooring design experts.

For that Cozy Feeling Underfoot, Plush Carpeting is the Answer

For that Cozy Feeling Underfoot, Plush Carpeting is the Answer

One of the main reasons that homeowners choose carpeting over other, “harder” types of floor coverings – like stone and wood – is to gain that soft and cozy feel under their feet. Believe it or not, though, some types of carpet are actually superior at creating that feel over others.

In particular, textured plush carpeting is one of the best at making your feet feel as comfortable as possible. It is a great choice for bedrooms, family rooms and or any other space in your home where relaxation is the goal. Here's why:

Comfort – Textured, plush carpeting has its pile cut to a smooth, relatively high, level height. The result is an elegant looking carpet that feels extremely “cushiony” underfoot. One small disadvantage to this increased height of the pile, however, is that plush carpet shows footprints and other indentations to a fairly large degree.

Durability – Plush carpet can be wholly manufactured from natural materials like wool or blends, to a variety of synthetic materials. Each has its advantages and drawbacks, but the manufacturing process ensures a dense pile with multiple twists. This results in a carpet with exceptionally high durability – with a useful life of a decade with minimal care.

Affordability – Due to its popularity, there is an enormous amount of plush carpet manufactured in the United States. This means it is usually the most inexpensive to initially install. Still, care should be taken to not install it in high traffic areas or you will be replacing it on a regular basis. Plush is best used in bedrooms, libraries and other relatively lightly used rooms.

Textured plush carpet is an excellent choice for many homeowners but there are some situations where it should not be used. For more guidance on this point and whether or not textured plush carpeting is the right flooring choice for your needs, please contact us at Great Western Flooring. Visit us online at www.greatwesternflooring.com or reach us directly at 630-357-3331.