At Walsh’s we believe the more knowledge you have the better. Below, you’ll find a list of many carpet types, a little description and selection of what brands are best known for each type. There are literally hundreds of different combinations, however we are here to help from the beginning with any questions or comments you may have. Just contact us here.
Frieze
This is a type of cut pile carpet, made of twisted fibres. It does not show up footprints and dirt easily so is most often found in high traffic areas. Brands covered in Walsh’s include Navan, and Brinton. View Navan frieze here
Berber
Berber Carpets are increasing in popularity faster than any other type of carpet. Berbers limit footprints and vacuum tracks in informal areas. Berbers can have slightly thicker yarns than other loop pile carpets for high durability. Berbers come in expensive wool fibers or less expensive options
Twist Pile
The market is flooded with twist pile carpets: understandably, because they account for about 75% of all carpet sales. The would-be buyer is faced with a bewildering array of ranges and makers who, at first glance, appear to be offering exactly the same product. The very style of twist pile carpet produces a finish which is particularly anonymous. It is very difficult indeed to identify those of real quality and value.
Twist pile carpets not only last longer, they are also better at retaining their original appearance. Poorly specified carpets look similar initially, but they wear down quickly. Worse still, within a few months of installation they often flatten, and therefore shade, producing the ugly 'rabbit run' effect. Flattened pile is being abraded not on the ends of the yarn, but on the sides: this reduces the life-span of the carpet dramatically.
Cut Pile and Loop Pile Carpet
When a combination of cut pile and loop pile fibers are used to make a carpet, it’s usually to create a more decorative look. This combination can create sculpted effects in a carpet.
Plush/velvet
Plush Pile carpet has the same appeal as velvet; luxurious soft feel underfoot inviting you to lie down & roll on it. As with velvet, the pile direction adds another dimension with shading effect as you walk over it.
Wilton
Wilton carpet, like Axminster carpet, is woven. However the difference between the two methods is the way in which the carpet is woven. Whereas the Axminster yarn is woven into each weft and then cut to the required pile height and then reinserted when that color is needed again – the Wilton carpet yarn is a continuous strand woven all the way through.
Wilton carpets are produced on state of the art Wilton looms that use a maximum of five colors. However the Wilton looms within the Group are more diverse; producing cut or loop pile textured carpet. It is the preferred flooring for many contract installations and most transport applications as it is hugely stable and extremely hard wearing.
Axminster
An Axminster Carpet has always been synonymous with both a quality and luxury form of flooring. Today most carpet is manufactured utilizing the tufted method (faster method of production), however for discerning consumers who require both quality, durability and luxury an Axminster carpet is still the carpet of choice that fulfils these criteria.
Unlike tufted carpet an Axminster carpet is woven. Each individual yarn color that goes to make up the carpet pattern is selected by a gripper and woven with the weft. The fact that the individual pieces of yarn or tufts of carpet are woven with the weft, demonstrates that an Axminster carpet provides quality, longevity and durability as well as a luxurious feel underfoot.
Tufted
This type of carpet is produced on a tufting machine by using either a single colored or sometimes a non colored yarn. If non colored is being used, then the carpet will be dyed or printed with a design as a separate process. Carpets that are tufted can either be cut pile, loop pile, or a combination of both. Machines can produce a lot more meters of carpet than weaving, and they are usually at the lower end of the market.
Saxony
Saxony consists of tightly twisted cut piles that are heat set straight. They consist of two or more fibers that have been twisted together in a yarn, and they provide a very soft texture for informal as well as formal areas. They will show each and every footprint and even marks from vacuum cleaners.
Sisal Carpet
Made from fibers extracted from the leaves of the Agave plant. Sisal is grown & produced in Africa, China & South America. European manufacturers have proven to be the most innovative in weaving technology. Domestic life: 12 years. Commercial life: 4 to 7 years dependent on foot traffic.
Sea Grass
Grown in paddy-like fields that are flooded with sea water during the crop cycle. The fibers are spun into tough strands, which, when woven into carpet & with a latex backing added for stability, will resist dirt & stains very well.
Domestic life: 10 years. Commercial life: 3 to 5 years, dependent on foot traffic.
Coir Carpets (coconut fiber)
Made from fibers from the outer husk of the coconut. Coir carpets are produced in India where many years of practice have given the workers in this old industry, great skills in grading processing & weaving these fibers. The quality of Coir carpet is determined by the type of fiber used, the weight at which the yarn is spun & whether it’s woven on a handloom or power loom.
Domestic life: 12 years Commercial Life: 4 to 7 years, dependent on foot traffic.
We stock the types mentioned above in a wide range of leading brands, including:
Frieze
This is a type of cut pile carpet, made of twisted fibres. It does not show up footprints and dirt easily so is most often found in high traffic areas. Brands covered in Walsh’s include Navan, and Brinton. View Navan frieze here
Berber
Berber Carpets are increasing in popularity faster than any other type of carpet. Berbers limit footprints and vacuum tracks in informal areas. Berbers can have slightly thicker yarns than other loop pile carpets for high durability. Berbers come in expensive wool fibers or less expensive options
Twist Pile
The market is flooded with twist pile carpets: understandably, because they account for about 75% of all carpet sales. The would-be buyer is faced with a bewildering array of ranges and makers who, at first glance, appear to be offering exactly the same product. The very style of twist pile carpet produces a finish which is particularly anonymous. It is very difficult indeed to identify those of real quality and value.
Twist pile carpets not only last longer, they are also better at retaining their original appearance. Poorly specified carpets look similar initially, but they wear down quickly. Worse still, within a few months of installation they often flatten, and therefore shade, producing the ugly 'rabbit run' effect. Flattened pile is being abraded not on the ends of the yarn, but on the sides: this reduces the life-span of the carpet dramatically.
Cut Pile and Loop Pile Carpet
When a combination of cut pile and loop pile fibers are used to make a carpet, it’s usually to create a more decorative look. This combination can create sculpted effects in a carpet.
Plush/velvet
Plush Pile carpet has the same appeal as velvet; luxurious soft feel underfoot inviting you to lie down & roll on it. As with velvet, the pile direction adds another dimension with shading effect as you walk over it.
Wilton
Wilton carpet, like Axminster carpet, is woven. However the difference between the two methods is the way in which the carpet is woven. Whereas the Axminster yarn is woven into each weft and then cut to the required pile height and then reinserted when that color is needed again – the Wilton carpet yarn is a continuous strand woven all the way through.
Wilton carpets are produced on state of the art Wilton looms that use a maximum of five colors. However the Wilton looms within the Group are more diverse; producing cut or loop pile textured carpet. It is the preferred flooring for many contract installations and most transport applications as it is hugely stable and extremely hard wearing.
Axminster
An Axminster Carpet has always been synonymous with both a quality and luxury form of flooring. Today most carpet is manufactured utilizing the tufted method (faster method of production), however for discerning consumers who require both quality, durability and luxury an Axminster carpet is still the carpet of choice that fulfils these criteria.
Unlike tufted carpet an Axminster carpet is woven. Each individual yarn color that goes to make up the carpet pattern is selected by a gripper and woven with the weft. The fact that the individual pieces of yarn or tufts of carpet are woven with the weft, demonstrates that an Axminster carpet provides quality, longevity and durability as well as a luxurious feel underfoot.
Tufted
This type of carpet is produced on a tufting machine by using either a single colored or sometimes a non colored yarn. If non colored is being used, then the carpet will be dyed or printed with a design as a separate process. Carpets that are tufted can either be cut pile, loop pile, or a combination of both. Machines can produce a lot more meters of carpet than weaving, and they are usually at the lower end of the market.
Saxony
Saxony consists of tightly twisted cut piles that are heat set straight. They consist of two or more fibers that have been twisted together in a yarn, and they provide a very soft texture for informal as well as formal areas. They will show each and every footprint and even marks from vacuum cleaners.
Sisal Carpet
Made from fibers extracted from the leaves of the Agave plant. Sisal is grown & produced in Africa, China & South America. European manufacturers have proven to be the most innovative in weaving technology. Domestic life: 12 years. Commercial life: 4 to 7 years dependent on foot traffic.
Sea Grass
Grown in paddy-like fields that are flooded with sea water during the crop cycle. The fibers are spun into tough strands, which, when woven into carpet & with a latex backing added for stability, will resist dirt & stains very well.
Domestic life: 10 years. Commercial life: 3 to 5 years, dependent on foot traffic.
Coir Carpets (coconut fiber)
Made from fibers from the outer husk of the coconut. Coir carpets are produced in India where many years of practice have given the workers in this old industry, great skills in grading processing & weaving these fibers. The quality of Coir carpet is determined by the type of fiber used, the weight at which the yarn is spun & whether it’s woven on a handloom or power loom.
Domestic life: 12 years Commercial Life: 4 to 7 years, dependent on foot traffic.
We stock the types mentioned above in a wide range of leading brands, including:
- Ulster Carpets
- Cormar
- Navan Carpets
- Rylux
- Cavalier Carpets
- Curragh Carpets
- O’Dea
- Pfloor
- P.F.L
- Jerko
- Abingdon
- Kingsmead