How a carpet's pile is cut and shaped contributes to its look and feel -- short or shaggy, soft or nubby -- and to how well the product wears.
Sisal-like carpets are meant to imitate the look of sisal or other plant fibers and are made from wool or a synthetic.
What to know: These mimics are softer underfoot than the real thing, and they release stains better. However, many people prefer the appearance of real sisal.
Wilton is considered the premier woven carpet. It is made on a jacquard loom and can have cut, loop, or cut-and-loop pile.
What to know: These carpets are tightly constructed, making them dense and durable. Worsted-wool Wiltons are some of the best carpets available.
Saxony carpet yarns have a soft twist or curl; the pile is often cut at an angle.
What to know: Saxony is not quite as textured as frieze but it still effectively conceals marks, making the carpet a popular choice for children's rooms and family rooms.
Velvet carpet is soft, like the fabric for which it's named. The pile is short, uniform, and dense.
What to know: The carpet has a matte finish, giving it an understated appeal. Velvet pile generally holds up well but, like plush, its uniform surface exposes indentations and tracks.
Frieze is a cut-pile carpet with twisted yarns and a crimped, textured appearance.
What to know: The twisted strands of a frieze carpet obscure footprints and vacuum marks well, and the tousled look complements an informal room.
Shag has pile so long it doesn't stand upright, giving a carpet a "shaggy" look.
What to know: No longer just a throwback to the 1960s and '70s, today's shags come in contemporary colors and have an inviting feel. But those long yarns can still get caught in the rotating head of a vacuum.
Axminster is a cut-pile carpet that is woven by definition. It is often called "pub carpet," a reference to the carpet's frequent appearance in restaurants and hotels.
What to know: Axminster tends to be the most affordable of the woven carpets and is available in a wide range of colors. Like a Wilton, it is long-wearing. But it is not as refined and may appear industrial.
Berber once referred specifically to an undyed Moroccan rug. Today the term is used broadly to describe most loop-pile carpets.
What to know: Because loop pile has no exposed tips (unlike cut pile), it is especially durable. This makes berber a good choice for high-traffic areas, such as family rooms, hallways, and staircases.
Ribbed cut can be a cut-and-loop pile or a cut-pile carpet that is trimmed in areas to create carved designs; it may also have color variations throughout.
What to know: Because its textured surface can camouflage marks and stains, ribbed cut is another good choice for children's rooms or other high-traffic spaces.
Plush pile is cut to a smooth, level height. It is higher and less dense than velvet.
What to know: Plush carpet is comfortable underfoot, making it a cozy covering for a bedroom floor. But its pile is easily crushed, revealing indentations.
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