Some elements contribute primarily to aesthetics, while others impact performance. Color and Pattern Color is an important aesthetic consideration, but it also determines the amount of soil hiding in carpet. While light colors show soil more readily, dark colors show light-colored soil and lint. Medium-value colors most effectively reduce the visible effects of soiling. Pattern also plays a role in hiding soil.
Solid colors show soil most easily, followed by heathers and tweeds.
Regular patterns, such as organic, linear and geometric, hide soil even more effectively, and random patterns, which allow for random color placement, provide the best soil hiding. For more heavily trafficked areas, multicolored carpets with medium-value colors and random patterns should be considered for optimal performance. Texture Texture is the second major aesthetic factor to consider in creating the overall look of the carpet. For high-traffic areas, loop, cut and loop with mostly loop, or tip shear with mostly loop yield the best performance. Your local flooring contractor or mill representative can help you evaluate options for your specific environment.