By Tony Chalhoub, founder of CarpetAce
Short answer: Loop pile carpet is made by leaving the yarn in uncut loops instead of shearing the tops off, as in a cut pile. That gives a firmer, hard-wearing surface that hides footprints and vacuum lines, which suits hallways, family rooms and home offices. The trade-off is that loops can snag, so large loops and pets with claws don’t mix well.
I’ve laid a lot of loop pile in more than 20 years on the tools, from tight level loops in offices to chunky wool loops in family homes. Here’s how it’s made, where it works, and the catches worth knowing before you buy.
What is a loop pile carpet?
Most carpet is tufted: needles push yarn through a backing to form loops. In a loop pile those loops are left whole. In a cut pile they’re sheared off at the top, so you see thousands of yarn ends instead of loops.
In a level loop, every loop is the same height, which gives a flat, even surface. More often the loops vary in height to form a texture or a pattern. Loop pile comes in wool and in synthetics: solution-dyed nylon, polyester and polypropylene. Some carpets combine cut tufts and loops in one surface; that cut-and-loop style is covered in our guide to the three main carpet types.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a loop pile carpet?
Loop and cut piles both have their place. Here’s how loop pile weighs up.
- Hides footprints and vacuum lines. A loop doesn’t lean over the way a cut tuft does, so a level loop doesn’t record every step or the stripes of the vacuum.
- Stands up to traffic. Loops are harder to crush than cut tufts, which is why most office carpet is a tight level loop.
- Keeps soil near the surface. A dense loop holds dirt near the top where the vacuum can reach it. How well a carpet resists stains comes from the fibre, not the loop.
- Plenty of looks. From flat and tailored to chunky and textured, or patterned with loops of different heights.
The disadvantages:
- Snags. A claw, a toy or a dragged chair leg can catch a loop. In tufted carpet each row is one continuous yarn, so pulling a snag can open up a line of loops, called a run.
- Firmer underfoot. Comfortable, but not as soft as a cut pile.
- Less formal. For a formal lounge, many people still prefer the smooth finish of a cut pile. That’s down to taste.
Is loop pile carpet durable?
Yes. A dense loop is one of the hardest-wearing carpet constructions you can buy. What decides how long it keeps its looks is density (how tightly the loops are packed), loop height and fibre. A short, tight loop outlasts a tall, loose one of the same weight, and it snags less.
Fibre matters as much as construction. Wool has natural spring and recovers well. Solution-dyed nylon is the most resilient synthetic. Polyester and polypropylene are less springy, so they need a dense construction to hold up in traffic; that’s why most polypropylene carpet is a tight loop. Our wool vs nylon guide compares the two most popular fibres.
Is loop pile carpet good?
For the right rooms, it’s excellent: hallways, family rooms, home offices with rolling chairs, and rental properties. A textured or flecked loop is more forgiving than a plain cut pile, especially in darker colours. These are the checks I make on a sample:
- Try to hook a loop with a fingernail. If it lifts easily, a claw will too.
- Fold it over your finger. If the backing shows between the rows, it’s not dense enough for stairs or a busy hallway.
- Check the rating, and make sure it covers stairs if you’re carpeting them.
Carpet installation matters more with loops than with most carpets. We cut loop pile along the rows from the face, so the rows meet cleanly at a join, and every piece has to run the same way. We do our best to keep joins out of high-traffic areas.
Is loop pile carpet expensive?
Not necessarily. The loop doesn’t set the price; the fibre and weight do. You’ll find loop pile at the entry level and among our most luxurious wool ranges. Our supply prices per m², including GST:
| Carpet | Supply price per m² (inc GST) |
|---|---|
| Entry-level carpet | from $20.50 |
| Solution-dyed nylon, mid-range | $43.50 |
| Solution-dyed nylon, high-end | $68.30 |
| Wool and wool-blend, mid-range | $68.30 |
| Premium wool | about $110 |
Installation of carpet we supply is $11–$13.60/m² depending on the carpet’s weight, and 10mm underlay is $6–$10/m², from Airstep, Underlay King and Airlay.
Cut pile vs loop carpet
Every carpet is cut pile, loop pile or a mix of the two. Names like plush, frieze and berber describe how the yarn is finished: plush and frieze are cut piles, and berber is a loop.
| Loop pile | Cut pile | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel underfoot | Firmer | Softer |
| Footprints and vacuum lines | Hides them well | Plush shows them; twist hides them |
| Pets | Claws can catch on loops | No loops to catch |
| Look | Casual to crisp and modern | Formal to relaxed |
If you want softness with good wear, a twist pile carpet is the usual alternative.
Types of loop pile carpet
There are several kinds of loop carpet, and they look quite different on the floor:
- Level loop carpet: all the loops are the same height. It’s neat and understated, and smaller, tighter loops are more durable. Low level loops are the classic commercial carpet, and they suit homes that want a clean, modern look.
- Textured loop carpet: subtle differences in loop height catch the light differently and give the surface a gentle pattern. Good at hiding marks.
- Multilevel loop carpet: the same idea with bigger height differences, so the pattern is more obvious, from soft ripples to bold geometric designs.
- Berber: a chunky loop, often with a flecked or heathered colour. It’s popular enough to have its own guide: berber carpet prices, pros and cons.
Loop pile carpets we supply
We can source almost any carpet range available in Australia. Loop piles we supply and install include:
- Wool: Supertuft Level Loop and Escape Loop, made in Melbourne; Chaparral Outback and the stairs-rated Natural Choices; EC Carpets Hause, a level-loop berber, and the patterned Cotswolds and Elmsford.
- Solution-dyed nylon: EC Carpets textured loops such as Andes Peak, Birdwood and Bordeaux.
- Polyester and polypropylene: EC Carpets Sky Bridge and Dolomites (polyester), and Encounter, Montrosa and Woodchester (polypropylene).
Frequently asked questions
Is loop pile carpet good for pets?
Not ideal for cats or dogs with long claws, which can catch and pull loops. If you love the look, choose a short, tight loop. For most pet owners, a cut pile such as a twist is the safer choice.
Is loop pile carpet good for stairs?
A dense, tight loop rated for stairs works well. Large or loose loops open up over the stair nose and show the backing, which installers call grinning.
What should I do if a loop snags?
Snip the pulled loop level with the surface using sharp scissors. Never pull it, because that can open up the whole row.
How do I vacuum loop pile carpet?
Use suction only, or raise or switch off the rotating brush. A brush set too low can fuzz wool loops and catch loose ones.
Choosing a carpet? Browse our carpet ranges, compare wool and nylon, or see what it costs in our carpet price guide. Our mobile showroom brings samples to your home, and every job is measured and quoted by people who install floors.
Book a free measure and quote
We’ll bring samples to your home, measure every room and email a written quote within 24 hours of the measure. Book your free measure and quote or call 0425 552 816.