How is Carpet Made and What Makes it?

There are a lot of people that love carpeting, but have you ever wondered what carpet is made of?

We get asked this often, and it’s a good question since the makeup of your carpet will affect how long your flooring lasts.

What is Carpet Made From?

Carpet initially starts off as a bunch of loose fiber strands called staples. The staples are placed into a hopper, heated up, lubricated, and shaped into slivers. Slivers are then wound into a spool of fiber.

Most of today’s carpets are tufted in close loops. This method started in Dalton, Georgia, near the turn of the last century. In essence, needles push the carpet fibers through the carpet backing. Then a looper holds the fibers steady as the needles go through and form the loop.

It was a painstaking process and took some time before machines began doing the process. Machines will measure about twelve feet wide with up to 1,200 needles creating the carpet at a rapid pace.

Carpet fibers are made out of multiple substances, most of which are synthetic materials. The most common types of carpet fiber you’ll come across consist of:

• Polyester (PET)
• Nylon
• Polypropylene
• Cotton
• Wool

The backing in which the fibers are woven into is commonly made of woven PVC or latex.

To get different designs with the fibers, manufacturers cut the loops and twist the fibers together. That’s how you get carpet styles like a frieze.

Even though carpet padding isn’t part of the carpet, it’s necessary for your carpet to have a long and full performance life. Padding is mostly made out of recyclable foam rubber and help your carpet stay soft and durable.

If you’ve ever asked, “how is carpet made?”, you now have the answers. But did you know that this information can help you select new carpet more efficiently?

Book a Free Carpet Estimate with The Carpet Guys!

When you learn how your carpeting is made and how different carpet fiber types can offer different benefits, buying new carpet becomes easier. Then The Carpet Guys come in and make it even better!

The services we provide our customers offer them many benefits including:

• Free in-home estimates seven days a week
• Next-day installation after your carpet purchase
• Easy carpet and flooring finance plans
• The best flooring products on the market
• Old flooring removal
• Free furniture removal and placement
• Much more!

If you’re ready to take your floors to the next level, give us a call and cook a free in-home carpet estimate.

Not only will your carpet be made to last, the installation will last too.

We look forward to serving you.