If you're choosing area rugs or adding flooring to your home, there is a wide variety of carpet textures available. Some are thick and velvety, others casual and shaggy, and some tight and durable. Here are a few basic terms to help you find what you're looking for.

What to Look for at the Carpet Store

1. Berber

Carpets are made with many loops of fiber set side by side. In some styles, these loops are cut so the fibers stick out as individual strands. In Berber carpets, the loops are left intact. They can be long or short, and either multicolored like industrial flooring, or solid colors for a softer, homey look.

2. Saxony

In this style of carpet, the fiber loops have been cut to create a pile of medium height. It can be either textured or smooth and plush. The smoother varieties do show footprints after being walked on, but the textured ones don't.

3. Frieze

This type of carpet uses a long and slightly curled pile to create a shaggy look. It's a comfortable style for casual settings. It's sometimes called a "California shag" and is modeled after shag rugs.

4. Cut & Loop

This style uses a combination of cut fibers and intact loops. The two are arranged in a pattern, with a wide variety of different options available. The current trend is toward striped patterns, but dots and geometric designs are also available.

5. Varied Height

This is another way to create patterns in a carpet. Different areas of the pile are cut long or short, or loops of different lengths are used. This way, you can have an attractive pattern even in a single-color carpet.

If you're choosing carpet or other flooring options for your home, Georgia Direct Carpet Outlet has what you need. Based in Hamilton, OH, and serving Butler County for over 50 years, they have the largest selection in the Tri-State area, including quality manufacturers such as Mohawk™, Beaulieu™, and Shaw™. To get started, call them at (513) 894-7700 or reach out online.