The Ultimate Carpet Buying Guide

Loop Pile

Loop pile has gained a lot of popularity in the last few years, it's known for its beautiful texture, durability and its ability to hide wear and tear.

Loop pile carpet is made by weaving or tufting loops of yarn into a backing material. During the manufacturing process, the yarn is threaded through the backing material and then pulled back through to create a loop. The loops can be of varying heights, creating different textures and patterns.

Textured

Textured carpet is a style of loop pile and is a popular choice as it's durable, doesn't show tracking marks and hides dirt really well - but that doesn't mean you can't skip the weekly vacuum! 

Textured carpet is made through a process similar to that of loop pile carpet. However, the yarn used in textured carpet has a twist that causes it to curl slightly, which creates a textured appearance. During the manufacturing process, the yarn is tufted or woven into a backing material, and the twisted yarn creates a pattern of peaks and valleys.

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Cut pile

By far the most popular style of carpet in New Zealand. Cut pile is available in a range of different colours and pile lengths and can be super soft. Cut pile carpet can show tracking and shading marks; which is a bit like smoothing a piece of velvet material the wrong way. 

To make cut pile carpets, the loops of yarn in the carpet's construction are cut using a machine, resulting in a carpet with an upright pile of individual tufts of yarn. Cut pile carpets have different types based on the length and twist of the yarn tufts, which affect their texture and appearance. Cut pile carpets are generally softer and more formal-looking than loop pile carpets, making them comfortable to walk on and perfect for luxurious spaces.

Frieze Cut Pile

 
Here at Jacobsen, we only focus on the frieze style of cut pile. It has a smooth surface achieved by shearing the looped fibres, and a textured look thanks to the tightly twisted fibres. This construction makes our cut pile carpets highly durable and has the ability to hide dirt, making them suitable for high-traffic areas.

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Solution Dyed Nylon

Why Jacobsen Choses Nylon?

It’s important to us that the products we supply to the New Zealand market are right for you. This is why we put so much effort and research into choosing our carpet range and why we continue to choose nylon as our preferred choice of carpet material. Simply put it has the best performance on the market.

DURABLE
Nylon carpets are resilient carpets and known for its elastic nature which means that it will bounce back easily making it well-suited for high foot traffic. ts elasticity, strength, and durability enable it to withstand bending, crushing, and stretching
without losing its original shape or texture.

STAIN RESISTANT
Solution-dyed nylon carpets are designed to resist stains, thanks to the fibre used in their production. This process ensures that the carpet’s colour is locked in at the manufacturing stage, preventing spills from penetrating the fibres and causing stains.

FADE-RESISTANT
Nylon carpets are resistant to fading, even when exposed to harsh sunlight in New Zealand environment. Solution-dyed nylon has superior fade resistance due to the colour being mixed throughout the fibre making it the perfect choice for a north-facing room.

INSECT AND MILDEW RESISTANT
Because nylon does not absorb moisture, it is naturally resistant to mould and mildew growth. The synthetic fibres also mean this type of carpet is resistant to insects such as moths and carpet beetle is commonly found in natural-fibre carpets, making it the healthier the choice for your family.

HEALTHY
Dust and dirt remain on the surface of the fibres of solution-dyed nylon carpets making it easy to vacuum away most of the common sources of indoor allergens, making nylon flooring a practical option for those looking to improve
their indoor air quality.

ACOUSTIC QUALITY
Carpets have excellent sound absorption properties, making carpet the perfect
sound insulation material to reduce sound reverberation in a room and the ideal product to add noise reduction in builds where noise transfer is important, such as in apartments or multi-storey buildings.

THERMAL QUALITY
Carpet acts naturally as an insulating material. The carpet fibres themselves have low heat conduction values and the surface of the carpet traps air in the pile fi bres, and further increases the thermal insulation. The amount of insulation
will greatly depend on the density of the carpet and the thickness of the underlay.

WON’T PILL OR SHED
Solution-dyed Nylon is made of Bulk Continuous Filament (BCF) of high-strength
nylon fibre that has been coloured to the core of the filament meaning there are no breakages of weak points that are prone to pilling.

Wool

Wool is a natural fibre that has unique characteristics making it a popular choice in the carpet industry. It has a soft texture and is naturally resilient to stains, especially oil-based liquids. Wool is also fire-resistant, providing an added layer of safety for homes and businesses. It has insulating properties, which can help to reduce energy costs and is naturally non-allergenic, making it a great choice for those with allergies or sensitivities.

Wool is not as strong as nylon and is best suited for loop pile construction. It can be prone to fading if exposed to sunlight and is also susceptible to staining, especially from non-oil-based liquids such as wine or coffee. Therefore, when considering wool as an option for your home, it's important to take into account your lifestyle and household factors such as pets, children, and sunlight exposure. 

Polyester

Polyester is growing in popularity and its performance has improved and now is an acceptable fibre in the manufacturing of carpets. However, we don't recommend selecting a carpet made with this fibre as it isn't crush-resistant and will wear down quickly, especially in high-traffic areas meaning it will need replacing.

Ratings 

Industry Tested

All our carpets are tested for performance in the country they originate from.
This means that there are a number of different standards and tests that are carried out on our carpets. The air we breathe is so important that’s why it’s essential that the products we put in our homes are healthy. We measure PVC(PolyVinyl Chloride) content and VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions to ensure you breathe the purest air possible.

Some of the most common tests are: 

ACCS or Australian Carpet Classification Scheme 

The ACCS is a rating scheme for carpets. It grades carpets based on their performance characteristics such as appearance retention, and suitability for different traffic conditions. The grading process involves technical data from manufacturers and tests from independent labs. An expert panel assigns a star rating based on the performance characteristics of the carpet. Carpets must meet minimum standards before they are graded, and there are similarities between the ACCS and other grading schemes like Woolmark and Wools of New Zealand.

Carpet underlay 

Carpet underlay does not enhance the performance of your carpet but is rather the secret to achieving a soft, luxurious feeling carpet as well as helping to reduce noise.

If you're considering purchasing a new carpet, don't overlook the importance of underlay. Although it may not enhance the performance of your carpet, it is the key to achieving a soft, luxurious feel underfoot while also reducing noise in your space.

Underlay serves multiple purposes, including providing extra comfort, improving sound insulation, and reducing wear and tear on your carpet, ultimately extending its lifespan. With various types of carpet underlay available, such as foam and rubber, it's crucial to choose the right one that meets your carpet's needs. You'll want to consider factors like thickness, density, and level of support to ensure that you're making the best decision.

Underlay can also be chosen based on its acoustic insulation properties or its ability to resist moisture and prevent mould growth. Depending on which area of your home you're carpeting, you may want to choose a different type of underlay. For example, if you're carpeting stairs, a hard-wearing underlay may be preferable, whereas, in your bedroom or living room, you may opt for a softer and more comfortable option.

Things to consider when going into a store

• Invest in the best quality carpet you can afford. Avoid the temptation to purchase a cheap carpet that will quickly look worn and tired.
• Run your hand over the carpet pile to see the different directions of the pile - this will give you a good indication of the carpet track marks.
• Look for a carpet with a dense pile.
• Ensure the carpet is graded appropriately for the room it will be installed in, if installing on stairs ensure it has the appropriate stair rating.
• If you have underfloor heating, check with the retailer whether it will cause any problems for the carpet or underlay.
• Get samples of the carpets you're considering and look at the samples in different lights and in different rooms. Light colour and decor can effect how your carpet will look. 
• All our carpets are very competitively priced but just like nylon, not all prices are displayed as equal. When looking at the price
  of carpet it’s important to look at the installed price to make sure you are comparing apples with apples. 
• Replace the underlay when installing a new carpet.
• Keep the off-cuts as they may be used as mats, and it is not expensive to have the edges bound by a rug maker.

COLOUR VARIATION

It is normal for the installed carpet to show minor colour variation from selling samples. There can be a minor variation between dye lots. Colour appearance can vary depending on the type of light under which a sample is viewed and the light sources where the carpet is installed.
Viewing the sample at your residence and under different light conditions prior to making your final decision is recommended.

TRACKING & MATTING

All carpets will change in appearance over time, primarily due to foot traffic. Tracking and matting are wear-induced characteristics that are more likely to occur on stairs, in front of chairs and in other high-traffic areas. Regular vacuuming and immediate cleaning of spillages are the greatest aid in preventing tracking and matting. Placing rugs in these areas will assist in its prevention.

HIGH-USE AREAS & HALLWAYS

All carpets will change in appearance over time, especially in high-traffic areas. Matting and pile flattening can occur, resulting in the entanglement of fibres from tuft to tuft. This can be minimised with periodic professional cleaning and regular vacuuming.

WRINKLING & RUCKING

Wrinkling may occur after installation due to excessive humidity or not using the recommended installation procedures. This is not considered a carpet fault and can usually be corrected by a competent installer.

FADING & COLOUR CHANGE

Carpets will gradually lose colour over time when exposed to direct sunlight, and pile flattening through use can also give the appearance of fading. It is recommended to protect carpets from prolonged periods of direct sunlight and other environmental factors that can cause a colour change.

SHEDDING & SHADING

All carpets will shed a small amount of fibre when they are first installed. It is caused by some residual fibres left over from the manufacturing process. However, nylon will stop this shedding process after a short time, unlike natural fibres which will continue to shed for the duration of their lifetime. Permanent pile reversal occurs when areas of the carpet appear lighter or darker than others. This is caused by disturbed piles reflecting the light differently in the affected areas. This can occur randomly in any cut pile carpet and is largely an unexplained phenomenon that cannot be predicted or prevented. This is a feature characteristic of cut pile carpets, especially solid colours. It is not a manufacturing defect and apart from affecting appearance, has no detrimental effect on the performance of the carpet. As this characteristic can affect the appearance of a carpet, you are advised to discuss this with your retailer when considering your purchase.

PATTERN MATCHING & SKEWING

Repeating patterns may not precisely match the length or width of the carpet. Installation of patterned or textured carpets requires more time and effort. A competent carpet layer should be able to obtain a close pattern match in most
circumstances, however, some irregularities may still be visible. All carpets are subject to some degree of bowing and/or skewing. Bowing of up to 40mm over any single width of carpet is generally acceptable.

MISSING OR DAMAGED TUFTS

Pets can damage your carpet by scratching at the pile. Moving furniture can also damage your carpet. This damage can be repaired by a skilled installer or professional repairer. It is advisable to retain a small section of new carpet for this purpose.