You might recognize the name Berber from our Homeowner’s Guide to Carpet Styles, but what are the top Berber carpet pros and cons? There are definitely some to consider, but let’s refresh your memory on what Berber carpet is first and then dive into the details about whether or not it’s a right fit for your home and style. 

What is Berber Carpet?

Berber carpet is the most durable type of carpet due to how it’s manufactured with all loops, which is why it’s also known as loop pile carpet. Berber carpets are most often light in color with dark flecks throughout. As Berber carpets have grown in popularity, they have begun to be available in more colors. 

Modern Berber carpet is mass produced with a loop style and is made of wool, polypropylene, and a combination of materials rather than just the wool traditional carpets are made of. 

Is Berber Carpet Good?

Whether or not you consider Berber carpet as a good carpet choice will depend on a number of things. Things to consider when determining if a carpet is a good choice or not: 

1. What Type of Carpet Fits Your Budget?

No matter your budget, there are quality carpets available. Speaking with a flooring specialist can help you choose a carpet that fits both your budget and lifestyle.

2. How Are You Using the Space the Carpet Will Be In?

There are different types of carpet that will work best in different areas of your home. For example, you’ll want something comfy in your room but something that can stand up to a lot of foot traffic in hallways. 

3. What Do You Want Your Flooring to Do for Your Space?

When choosing carpet, you don’t want to just think of carpet as something under your feet. You’ll want to consider how the type of carpet you choose will affect a room. For example, thicker carpets can help reduce noise while also providing a soft place for kids to play. 

4. What Level of Maintenance Are You Looking For?

An important thing to consider when choosing a carpet is how much maintenance it requires. Be realistic. If you’re often busy and fly through cleaning your home, carpets that require a higher level of maintenance may not be the best choice for your home.

Top Berber Carpet Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Durable

    • Trust us, Berber carpet is durable. But we’ll discuss this in more detail later in the blog. 

  • Spill Resistant

    • Because Berber carpet is made of tightly woven loops, it’s harder for liquid to soak into the carpet. So, if you’re quick with a cloth to wipe up any spill, you’ll be able to clean up the majority of the spill relatively easily.

  • Cost

    • Modern Berber carpets come in many types of fibers, making it a carpet that fits any budget. 

  • Hides Dirt

    • Berber carpet in traditional colors (light colors with flecks of darker colors) easily hides dirt. 

  • Easy to Clean

    • Berber carpet is easy to clean for the same reason it’s spill resistant – the tightly woven loops. 

Cons

  • Snagging 

    • While the loop-style makes this durable and easy to clean, it also provides the perfect loop for things to snag on. For this reason, Berber carpet is not the most pet-friendly carpet. If a snag is not dealt with, it can quickly unravel the entire carpet.

  • Stains

    • Although Berber carpet is spill-resistant, it’s still carpet, leaving it susceptible to stains.

  • Rough Texture

    • Berber carpet is not as soft as other types of carpet, such as plush carpets. Some fabrics and fibers used to make Berber carpet add to this rough texture. 

  • Hard to Repair

    • Although small snags can be fixed without spending a lot of money, larger areas of damage to Berber carpet can be costly because of the loop style of this carpet.

Is Berber Carpet Durable?

Berber carpet is known for its durability. Its tightly woven fibers and low level of pile make it stand out from many other types of carpet when it comes to durability. When maintained properly, Berber carpet can last up to 20 years. Pairing Berber carpets with dense, flat, high quality padding can also extend its lifespan. 

Though Berber carpet in general is more durable than other carpets, the best way to ensure its durability is to invest in higher quality fibers used to make your Berber carpet. The highest quality fibers used in Berber carpet are wool and nylon.

Is Berber Carpet Good for High Traffic Areas? 

Berber carpet is often found in high traffic areas in both home and commercial settings. It has often been found in basements throughout the years, but has also become more popular for living rooms and offices. 

Another aspect of Berber carpet that makes it perfect for high traffic areas is that it is spill-resistant. Liquids tend to gather into droplets on the tightly-woven surface of a Berber carpet. 

While there are many types of carpet to choose from, Berber carpet is a durable option for homes with lots of high-traffic areas. Its growing re-emergence in homes has led to it becoming available in more and more colors, allowing it to fit more styles. 

Interested in Berber carpet for your home? To compare Berber carpet pros and cons for yourself, visit our Wexford, PA showroom or contact our team to learn more. Floor Concepts provides local flooring solutions to greater Pittsburgh, PA and the North Hills, free in-home measurements and estimates, and worry-free installations. Get in touch with our flooring experts today!