How to choose the right carpet

Make sure you choose the right carpet for your needs with our expert guide to the styles available

Types of carpet
Broadly speaking, there are two ways in which carpet is manufactured - woven or tufted.


With woven carpet, the front and back are woven simultaneously. It is a labour-intensive process, and slower than tufting, hence woven carpets are more expensive. They are, however, better quality with better dimensional stability.


There are two types of woven carpet: Axminster, which is patterned, and Wilton, which tend to be plain but can be made with up to five colours. Axminster, Brintons and Ulster are particularly well-known for their woven carpets.


Most carpet sold in the UK is tufted, a process whereby yarn is inserted into a ready-made backing fabric. Tufted carpets can be plain or patterned.

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