Berber Carpet

Berber carpets have become one of the most popular varieties of home carpeting on the market today. They combine fashion and function, affording the homeowner a wide variety of choices.

Carpet as Floor Covering

The number and type of floor coverings available can be intimidating. Carpet is a popular choice for many reasons. It has outsold every other type of floor covering for nearly 50 years. It's practical, fashionable, versatile, and accounts for more than half of all flooring purchases made each year. Carpet is the ideal choice for bedrooms, family rooms, and other areas where warmth underfoot is important. Carpet and carpet padding provide an extra layer of insulation on the floors of your home. In fact, depending on its density and weight, carpet can contribute to a home's energy efficiency. Its non-slip surface helps prevent accidents and provides natural cushioning in the event of a fall -- an especially important consideration for young children and the elderly. Carpeting also reduces noise better than any other flooring choice.

What is Berber?

The term, "Berber," originally referred to the hand-woven rugs created by North African artisans. These rugs are a model of homespun durability that have been copied on a broad scale by Western carpet manufacturers. Berber carpet has looped pile running in parallel lines. This construction makes it exceptionally durable and stain-resistant. Its rugged loop surface creates a wool-like appearance and, at the same time, hides footprints and other tracks. Some Berbers are also constructed with multilevel loops that create patterns or random effects that help hide dirt.

Berber carpets also come in cut pile, which has the luxurious feel of thick pile carpeting while retaining the color and texture of traditional looped Berbers.

Why Berber?

Berbers are a distinctive, attractive, and versatile variety of carpet that adapts well to any room décor, from formal living rooms to casual family or recreation rooms. Berber has an additional advantage in that it is available in most carpet fibers, from lush wool to less expensive nylon, olefin, and blended fibers. Sisal, one type of Berber carpet, is incredibly durable and nearly stain-proof, which explains its popularity.

Cleaning Berber

Today's carpet are designed to hide soil and even repel it. Regular cleaning extends the life of your carpet, gives a fresh, clean look to a room, and eliminates dust particles that bother people with allergies and asthma. Probably the easiest and most dependable way to give your carpet a longer life is through regular vacuuming. For best results, choose a vacuum cleaner with dual motors, one for suction and the other for the beater bar that loosens dirt; but most importantly, choose the best model you can afford. Carpets need a good steam cleaning at least once every 2 years. Remember to allow the carpet to dry completely (usually about 12 hours) before walking on it.