Floor manufacturers now provide many eco-friendly options for environmentally-conscious consumers. The process helps turn carpet into a renewable product and keeps carpet waste out of landfills.

Types of Carpeting

Understanding a few simple basics about carpet construction will help you make the right choice for your lifestyle and budget.

Textured Plush

• Most decoratively versatile cut-pile carpet
• Textured surface helps hide footprints and vacuum marks
• Adds casual beauty to any room
• Looks great between vacuuming
• Preferred style for busy households
• A great "whole-house" carpet

Saxony

• Refined cut-pile surface
• Soft texture created by twisting yarns tightly together and straightening with heat
• Luxuriously smooth, soft finish
• Beautiful with traditional interiors
• Adds distinctive elegance to any room
• Ideal for living and dining rooms
• Shows subtle highlights and accents

Berber Loop-Pile

• A wool-like look and rugged loop surface
• Wears well and is suited for casual rooms with lots of traffic and activity
• Natural, hand-crafted appearance creates a warm, personal atmosphere
• Tight loop texture helps hide footprints and vacuum marks
• Subtle patterns fit a variety of room styles
• Ideal choice for contemporary to country to cottage furnishings

Berber Cut-Pile

• A new berber look with all the wonderful color and interest of traditional loop berbers
• The great plush "feel" of thick, cut-pile carpet
• Beautifully crafted and colored yarns add personality to any room
• Very versatile decoratively, ideal for casual rooms, kids' rooms, etc.
• Subtle color flecks help hide soil that might appear between cleanings

Cut/Loop

• Carved definition with cut-and-loop pile
• Accent colors spice up floor surfaces
• Multicolor effects hide soil and stains
• Looks great between vacuumings
• Choose from soft tonals to bolder color combinations
• Suited for both formal and contemporary settings

Commercial Loop

• Versatile styles blend comfortably with any decor
• Durable long-wearing surface pile engineered for high traffic areas
• Intriguing color choices suitable for professional and practical installations
• Textured surfaces provide subtle highlights
   

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a Mohawk/Shaw carpet direct from the factory?

We believe that carpet is a custom installed product for each consumer and installation. An Authorized Mohawk/Shaw Retailer is trained to provide advice on the type of product suited to your lifestyle, to assist you in selecting the proper underlayment (carpet cushion), and to arrange for proper installation by trained installers. Therefore, Mohawk/Shaw does not sell residential carpet direct to individuals.

What is twist?

Twist is the number of turns put in the carpet fiber or yarn. Almost all carpets have twisted yarns. As a general rule, the more twist or turns on a fiber, the better performance you can expect. Yarns that are twisted tighter have a different "feel" than those that are less tight.

If I know the weight or other technical specifications, can I compare products?

Using technical specifications of a product can give you a guide, but there are many other factors that can alter the comparison. For example, two carpets made to the same specifications but made with different fibers will perform, look, and feel differently in the same environment.

If I bend the carpet and see the backing does this mean the carpet is low quality?

No. All carpets, except woven carpets, are made with spaces between the tufts (ends). Remember, except for stairs, carpet is flat on the floor. You can feel the thickness or density of different carpets by sticking your fingers in the pile, but do it on a flat surface. As a general rule, thicker, tighter, denser carpets perform better.

Can I save money by buying a less expensive carpet and putting the best cushion under it?

There is no question that a good cushion is critical to carpet performance, but remember that you walk directly on the carpet so you want carpet constructed to meet your needs and lifestyle. If you buy a cheaper carpet that doesn't meet your needs, you'll have a cushion that feels great, but you may not be satisfied with the look or wear of your carpet.