Sometimes carpets are a better choice than hardwood or vinyl flooring. Carpeting is permeable and reduces noise levels. It also provides some insulation from cold floors in winter, giving you extra comfort on your feet.
When it comes to carpets, homeowners have plenty of options. However, there’s a good reason the likes of Westex carpets are more preferred than others: they are made of wool.
What Are Wool Carpets?
Wool carpets are typically made from 100 percent wool, a fiber that comes from sheep and other animals such as goats, rabbits, and alpacas. Wool has been used for centuries to produce clothing, blankets, and rugs because it’s breathable, insulating, and naturally resistant to odor.
When it comes to carpets, homeowners have many choices for styles and weaves. Generally, the most popular types of wool carpeting include:
- Saxony: Saxony carpets are known for their long silky fibers, which allow them to wear well over time. They’re interestingly textured and have a distinctive sheen. Saxony rugs are typically made with a university-loop pile or cut-and-loop piled styles.
- Ingrain: This style of wool carpeting is highly durable with a tight, close-cut fiber that’s perfect for high-traffic areas and rooms in your home.
- Wilmots: Wilmot carpets are known for their densely colorfast optical designs, which create a watercolor effect with every movement of the rug. Wilmots work well in modern or contemporary settings.
- Tufted: This style of carpeting is known for its durability and longevity. Manufacturers use a unique locking process to bind the yarns together securely. The result is a dense, resilient floor covering that’s perfect for your high-traffic areas and rooms in your home.
- Cut and Loop: Carpets made with cut-and-loop piles are known for their formal appearance, but they’re also durable and wear-resistant.
What Is the Process of Making Wool Carpets?
The process of making wool carpets begins with the shearing of sheep. Fibers are sorted by length, thickness, and color before they’re twisted together in different combinations to form yarns. Yarns are then dyed according to the preference of the designer or manufacturer.
After that, wool is woven into long strips called top pieces, which are then seamed together to form a larger piece of carpeting. This is known as loop pile, cut pile, or Saxony-style wool carpets.
Finally, the edges of the carpeting may be finished using tufting or binding techniques. It’s also common for manufacturers to add finishing materials like latex that protect against stains and dirt.
Why Should You Buy Wool Carpets?
Wool carpets are not the cheapest rugs on the market. In fact, they’re the most expensive. However, homeowners looking for the best value for their money should consider these for the following reasons:
- Wool carpets are remarkably hard-wearing and can last for decades. They’re popular in high-traffic areas of the home, such as the living room, dining room, or family room, because they tend to wear well under constant traffic.
- The material has natural fire-resistant properties that make it a popular choice for family rooms even bedrooms.
- Wool is also a breathable carpeting material that helps to reduce the buildup of humidity and mildew.
- They can last from 25 to 40 years with proper care and cleaning.
- Wool makes an excellent sound-barrier material. When you walk across a wool carpet, the sound is muffled and softened by the natural fiber.
- They’re known as the “Cadillac of carpets” because they’re beautiful, functional, and exceptionally durable.
- Wool is a hypoallergenic material. If you have allergies, the wool may be the best choice for your home. Wool carpets are naturally resistant to dust mites and mold, so they’re perfect for allergy sufferers who want a beautiful flooring material in their homes.
- Wool is an excellent insulator that can help reduce energy costs. Construction experts have used wool insulation to cut heating and cooling bills for many years.
Wool isn’t just a smart choice for your wool rugs, but it’s also sustainable and environmentally friendly. The process of shearing sheep helps to keep their coats cool during the warm summer months, which reduces the amount of energy they need to stay comfortable.
Sheep also produce far less carbon dioxide than many other types of livestock. When you buy wool rugs, you’re also supporting a sustainable industry that provides jobs for people in need. Wool is also considered a green material because it’s durable enough to last decades, reducing your need for replacement.
Final Thoughts
Wool carpets may be a hefty investment, but they’re still the best value for your money. If you’re looking for a flooring material that’s durable, wear-resistant, and hypoallergenic, then it’s hard to go wrong with wool.
