Berber carpets get their name from the people who first created them. ‘Berber’ is not a brand name, though it is often thought of as that; this style of carpeting can trace its history back to the Berber tribespeople of North Africa. The Berbers were famed for the quality of their hand-woven textiles. The traditional weaving method is still used today, and it is the knot used to create the finish in these rugs that Berber carpets mimic.
What Is Berber Carpet?
Berber is now the generic name for any tightly-woven loop-pile, carpet. It is the hardwearing style of carpeting you’ll often see in hotel lobbies, rental apartments and commercial office space, where wear-and-tear is a major influence on buying decisions.
Stain-resistant, durable and affordable, it is little wonder that Berber carpeting has become almost ubiquitous in shops, offices, schools and hotels. Due to their popularity for commercial carpet sales, many modern Berber-style carpets are designed in neutral shades with flecks of contrasting colour woven into the pile. The resultant colour and texture is both easy to live with and less likely to show stains.
Why Choose Berber?
The loop used to construct a Berber carpet is the key to its durability. Unlike traditional cut-pile carpets, looped carpet fibres are less prone to crushing and damage. So, while they feel less plush and luxurious underfoot, they are a great option if you want to reduce the appearance of wear and tear in high-traffic areas. For landlords, Berber carpeting’s resistance to crushing and denting means renters who frequently move furnishings around will not be left with unsightly crush marks.
Typically, Berber carpets are made from wool, nylon or polyester fibres, though increasingly companies are coming up with interesting mixes of fibres and offer competitive pricing alongside a great-quality finish. Generally speaking, wool is the most expensive material, followed by nylon and then polyester fibres. While all stand up well to daily use, polyester Berber carpets can be difficult to clean, as they don’t react well to steam cleaning and moisture.
What’s The Catch?
Damage to a Berber carpet is most likely to be caused by a loop of the pile becoming snagged and creating runs, rather like a ladder in stockings or unraveling a thread in a knitted sweater. If your carpet does get snagged (watch out for pet claws and children’s toys) it can often be professionally repaired if caught quickly, before the snag runs.
A short-pile carpet surface does mean the joins on a Berber carpet are more likely to show. This type of carpet also tends to be heavier than cut-pile versions, so is difficult to cut. Unless you are a very competent and strong handy-person, it’s well worth paying for professional installation.
A high-quality wool Berber carpet, if properly maintained, can literally last a life-time, so why not call into our carpet company in Melbourne to see the great range of Berber carpets we have in stock?
