Gomer Pyle Meets Carpet Pile
Here in North Carolina, we have a special spot in our hearts for The Andy Griffith Show.
There was a lot to love about this classic sitcom, from the wide-eyed antics of Barney Fife to the close-to-home setting, based on Griffith?s hometown of Mount Airy, NC. But when it comes to favorite aspects of the show, we?re partial to Gomer Pyle, the mechanic with a heart of gold. And, just as Gomer was often deputized by Barney to serve and protect, we decided to do some deputizing ourselves.
Well golllll-y! What is pile? Pile is the raised strands of yarn that make up a carpet. Deeper pile has a lusher feel, but short pile is usually easier to care for. The word pile comes from the Latin pilus, which means hair, and just like there are different types of hair, there are several kinds of pile?three, to be exact.
Garsh! So what?s the first type of pile?
Loop Pile: All carpets are initially woven with a loop pile, which means that the yarn is attached to the carpet in uncut loops. The durability of loop pile is due to the fact that no yarn tips are exposed. It?s a popular choice for high-traffic spaces like living rooms and staircases but you may want to opt out if you have pets with claws that could get snagged. There are three main subcategories of loop pile:
- Level ? All loops are the same height, resulting in a uniform surface with no visible texture. Level pile is often found in commercial spaces.
- Textured ? Loop height varies slightly, which can give a carpet pattern or texture.
- Multi-Level ? Loop height varies dramatically, guaranteeing deep patterns in a carpet.
Shazam! And the second kind of pile?
Cut Pile: With cut pile carpets, often used in residential spaces, the loops are sheared so that the strands are no longer connected. Durability of cut pile depends on the type of fiber, the density of the pile, and the amount of twist in the yarn. Four popular cut pile are:
- Textured Plush ? Hides footprints and vacuum streaks, making it ideal for busy households. Decoratively versatile and can be used as an ?all over? carpet.
- Saxony ? Carpet yarns have a soft twist and the pile is often cut at an angle. Less textured but still able to hide marks. Frequently used in children?s rooms and living rooms.
- Friez ? Yarns are extremely twisted, resulting in a ?curly? textured surface. Has an informal look. Helps minimize footprints and vacuum marks.
- Plush ? Has a thick luxurious feel but shows footprints and vacuum marks easily. Best for low traffic areas and formal rooms.
Surprise, surprise, surprise! I bet I know the third kind of pile:
Cut and Loop: Cut and loop is cut and dried?it combines cut and loop piles. This creates surface textures, sculptured effects, and can help hide soil and stains.