Choosing the Right Carpet: Low Pile vs. High Pile

When it comes to selecting the perfect carpet for your home, the pile height is a crucial factor to consider. Pile height refers to the length of the carpet fibers, and two common options are low pile and high pile carpets. Each has its unique advantages, catering to different preferences and lifestyles.

Choosing What’s Best Carpet for You:

In the end, the choice between low pile and high pile carpet depends on your lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and the specific needs of each room. Consider the level of foot traffic, the presence of pets or allergies, and the atmosphere you want to create in each space.

Whether you opt for the practicality of low pile or the luxurious comfort of high pile, both types offer a range of benefits. Finding the perfect balance ensures that your carpet not only meets your functional needs but also adds style and comfort to your home.

What exactly is a high pile (or low pile) carpet or rug?

The word “pile” is simply a way of describing the fabric loops that make up carpets. A carpet is a collection of fibers (whether natural or synthetic), and the height and looseness or tightness of these fibers (as well as their softness, color, and overall texture) affect how we perceive them when we step, sit, or lie on them.

High pile carpets are carpets with taller (longer) and looser fibers. If you’ve ever stepped on a frieze or shag carpet, you’re familiar with a high pile carpet; there are other varieties, but that’s one of the most popular. Low pile carpets, in contrast, feature shorter fibers with tighter fabric loops, such as berber and saxony carpets. Most residential and commercial carpets in apartment buildings, houses, and hotels are low pile carpets. While they can be made from a variety of fibers, you’ll most often find high-pile carpets in synthetic options like nylon, polyester, triexta, and olefin.

High Pile Carpet: Luxurious Comfort and Style

1. Plush and Comfortable: If you crave a luxurious and comfortable feel underfoot, high pile carpets are the way to go. The longer fibers create a soft and cushioned surface, making them perfect for bedrooms and areas where comfort is a priority.

2. Sound Insulation: High pile carpets contribute to a quieter home by absorbing sound. This makes them an excellent choice for bedrooms, home offices, or any space where noise reduction is desirable.

3. Aesthetic Appeal: High pile carpets add a touch of elegance and warmth to a room. They come in a variety of textures and styles, allowing you to choose a carpet that complements your interior decor and enhances the overall ambiance of your space.

Low Pile Carpet: Practical and Easy to Maintain

1. Easy Cleaning: Low pile carpets are a breeze to clean. Their shorter fibers make it difficult for dirt and debris to get trapped, allowing for easy vacuuming. This makes low pile carpets an excellent choice for high-traffic areas or homes with pets and children.

2. Durability: These carpets are known for their durability. The shorter fibers are less prone to matting or crushing, ensuring your carpet looks newer for a more extended period. This makes low pile carpets a smart investment for areas that receive a lot of foot traffic.

3. Ideal for Allergies: Low pile carpets are a friend to allergy sufferers. With fewer spaces for allergens to hide, they are easier to keep free from dust mites, pollen, and other irritants. This makes them a healthier option for those with respiratory concerns.

Why might my family be interested in a high pile carpet or rug?

High pile carpets are a good choice for families interested in comfortable and warm carpets. It’s cozy and plush and like walking into a world of comforting memories. If you’ve heard of hygge–the Danish word of comfort and coziness–think of high pile carpets as the embodiment of that word.

Similarly, if you’ve got the kind of family where people enjoy spending time sitting, lying down, or otherwise occupying the carpet space like furniture, you’ll have much more comfort with these kinds of carpets. This is because the comfort of high pile carpets naturally encourages people to spend time touching and using them more intimately than with low pile carpets, which tend to fade into the background in most people’s minds. A high pile carpet, on the other hand, is a more “active” piece of the home, making it a good fit for a family or living room.

Why might my family prefer a low pile carpet or rug?

Low pile carpets are good choices for families with medical (i.e., respiratory) concerns or allergy sufferers. The reason behind this is that carpets essentially act as giant air filters within homes, and low pile carpets trap much fewer allergens than high pile ones, which means you won’t need to spend nearly as much time running air filters or vacuuming to get said allergens out of your home. It also means these carpets won’t release millions of allergens each time you walk over them.