Save On Everyday Low Prices Sitewide! Shop Now

WE MAKE IT EASY...

What DIY project are you interested in?

Anderson Tuftex Mera

What is Berber Carpet: A Buying Guide

Berber carpet is a big mystery to many people. I’m here to demystify this carpet and let you in on all the secrets surrounding this product. Let’s get started!

Part of the reason this carpet is so confusing is that the word “Berber” has come to mean two different things. Don’t worry, I’ve got all the definitions you need for Berber carpet, as well as how it performs, and its shortcomings.

Berber carpet is one of the most popular styles of carpet for commercial spaces; now you’ll know why it belongs in your home.

Related Content >> Ultimate Carpet Buying Guide

What is Berber Carpeting?

Berber Carpet Guide: Anderson tuftex carpet

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!

Related Content >> Carpet Tile Buying Guide 

Types of Berber Carpet

Berber Carpet Guide: carpet tiles

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.

SHOP BERBER CARPET ROLLS

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.

SHOP BERBER CARPET TILES

Residential vs. Commercial Berber Carpet

Berber Carpet Guide: berber carpet roll in a bedroom

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.

SHOP RESIDENTIAL CARPET

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. 

SHOP COMMERCIAL CARPET

Pros of Berber Carpet

Air.o New Beginnings I Carpet with Pad

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.

Cons of Berber Carpet

Anderson Tuftex Mera

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.

Why Choose Berber?

Anderson Tuftex Scout

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.
Related Content >> The Best Home Theater Carpet

Conclusion

Hopefully, Berber carpet has now been demystified! You no longer have to scour the internet searching for answers. So what are you waiting for? Get shopping!

SHOP BERBER CARPET

About Kayla Haas

Avatar

Kayla Haas is a Phoenix-based writer, flooring expert, and reading enthusiast. Most of her writing specializes in artificial grass, carpet, and vinyl flooring. Her favorite part of writing is the research. If you’re looking for obscure facts or little-known history about flooring, she’s the person to talk to as she stores them away in hopes of impressing people at parties.

One Comment on “What is Berber Carpet: A Buying Guide

  1. Thanks for the great buying guides !!!
    I like berber carpet because of the simple design that brings luxury and easy to clean with carpet surfaces

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *