It helps to be familiar with the lingo when you shop for a new carpet in Baltimore. Although carpeting, tiles, and hardwood floors all have their own advantages, there are a few terms you should know when you’ve set your sights on carpeting. You might have never heard of terms like fiber, density, or pile in the context of carpet flooring, but all of these elements can steer you towards your perfect flooring option. Feel free to keep reading and pick up some terms to know when selecting new carpeting.

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Fiber

The fibers that make up your carpet will play a significant role in how it looks, feels, and holds up over time, and there are 5 different kinds to choose from. The most popular carpet fiber is nylon, which many people enjoy for its durability. If you have pets or children, or you have a lot of foot traffic in your home, then nylon might be the right choice. Wool is a less common carpet fiber that offers luxurious aesthetics, and it can also improve your indoor air quality. Keep in mind that wool carpets tend to be on the more expensive side.

Density

If you’re concerned with the overall quality of your carpet—as you should be—then you should also consider its density. This simply describes how close together the yarn is in a given carpet. Higher density carpets tend to be of higher quality, so think about how much you want to spend on your investment.

Pile

As is the case with fibers, you will have a few choices to consider when looking at your carpet pile options. Pile refers to the way the fibers have come together to create your carpet. Cut and loop pile features loops lower in the carpet and higher cut piles above, while level loop pile has short loops all over. Cut pile has loops all at the same height, and can come in Saxony, plush, frieze, shag, or textured. Think about the kinds of patterns you’d like to see in your carpet when deciding what kind of pile to choose.