What is Berber Carpet: A Buying Guide

The word “Berber” can refer to two different things: color or style. Traditionally it refers to the color of the carpet. Berber carpet is light in color with flecks of darker colors.

However, today, Berber generally refers to a specific carpet style. Berber is found in looped styles. It’s a tight weave without any tufts like other types of carpet. All carpets begin as looped carpets.

In case you’re wondering, the word “Berber” refers to the Berber people of North Africa who created hand-woven textiles that featured a signature knotting style and multi-colored flecks from sheep wool. There’s nothing wrong with knowing a little history!

Rolls

Berber rolls are perfect for wall-to-wall carpets, and they can be highly decorative, with detailed abstract and geometric patterns. While installing carpet rolls is typically more difficult than installing tiles, some options do come with extra benefits such as stain-resistance and waterproof fiber treatments.

Tiles

Berber carpet tiles are easy to install, offering a self-adhering backing. All you have to do is peel off the backing and firmly press the carpet to the floor, and that’s it! You can completely recarpet a room in practically no time! Carpet tiles also tend to be cheaper than carpet rolls, which makes them a great option for a low-cost renovation.

Residential

Berber is known for its short, tightly packed, looped fibers, which makes it tough enough to handle even the most hectic household. It’s easy to clean, it doesn’t wear down as easily as other carpets, and it still adds warmth and softness to your rooms without compromising on function.

Commercial

Virtually all commercial carpets are Berber because it’s designed to hold up so well to high traffic. Commercial Berber will be even thinner than residential carpet in order to stand up to heavy traffic. Some options are also designed for outdoor use. Commercially rated carpet can also be used at home, of course, and lots of people choose that option because it’s so easy to take care of.

Okay, so now that you know what Berber carpet is, we can talk about how well it performs. The truth is, this carpet has a lot of great attributes that make it an awesome choice for your home. Let’s dig into some of the best aspects.

• Less expensive: Because all carpet begins as Berber carpet, it tends to be less expensive since it’s easier to manufacture.
• Durable: It’s more durable than other carpets because of its tight weave and low pile. That’s why you find it in many high-traffic commercial areas.
• Easy to clean: Because of the loop style carpet, spills tend to sit on the surface of this carpet instead of soaking into the fibers.
• Hides soiling: Multi-fleck carpets hide soiling since they aren’t a solid color.

Like every product, Berber does have a few limitations. Some of them are unlikely, but they’re good to know about anyway.

• Snags: To be honest, this is highly unlikely because it requires a lot of force, but Berber carpet can be subject to snags and runs if you drag heavy furniture across it, or have a vacuum with a beater bar.
• Pet damage: As it turns out, cats really like the texture of looped carpet and might try and scratch it. This could damage your carpet.
• Special vacuum: Beater-bar vacuums should not be used on Berber. Any frayed ends can get twisted around and result in a snag or run in your carpet.
• Texture: It’s not as soft as cut-pile carpet.
• Installation: It’s difficult to install as pattern matching is tricky and seams are rarely invisible due to its low pile.

Okay, so now you might be wondering why you should choose Berber over other carpets. There are a few reasons this carpet may be right for your home:

1. Durability: If your home has a high traffic area with lots of animals, people, and kids running through it, Berber can stand up to the challenge.
2. Low-maintenance: Berber tends to be cleaner than other types of carpet. It’s easier to suck up dirt with a vacuum because of its short fibers. Spills can also be cleaned up since they tend to sit on top of the carpet instead of soaking through.
3. Affordable: Berber is one of the most affordable carpets on the market. It’ll certainly fit any budget you have. If you have a tight budget, it may be the way to go.