Pros and Cons of Wool Carpet

When we think of carpet, warmth and a feeling of cosiness are high on the agenda. Carpet is a dream to live with, from bedrooms to living spaces and beyond. It encourages children to play on the floor, it is a pleasure to stand on when getting out of bed and it makes cooler months more bearable at home. Wool fibres, whether that be on carpet or a rug, are natural insulators (think of all of those cosy sheep looking warm on a winter’s day!). Wool naturally works to regulate the temperature in interiors. Not only does wool look warm, it literally is keeping the home warm too.

If having natural fibres in your home is important to you, look no further than wool. Flooring Xtra wool is sustainably sourced from New Zealand sheep and it’s a renewable and biodegradable product. As consumers become more discerning, the popularity of wool carpets and rugs also increases. Paired with a quality (and sustainable) carpet underlay such as Dunlop’s EnviroTred, your carpet will also last for years to come.

One positive attribute of wool fibres are their flame-resistant characteristics. It’s a safe choice, with its resistance to ignition as well as the fact that it doesn’t melt. You can feel confident in your material choices at home with wool.

It may seem a little strange, but carpet is actually a great choice for homes if there are allergy or asthma sufferer living there. Carpet traps airborne dust and allergens, holding them in the fibre, ready to be vacuumed (as opposed to sitting on the surface of hard flooring materials). Carpet does require regular vacuuming or rugs to be shaken out.

Wool carpet is a naturally hardwearing and durable product and has the ability to withstand high foot traffic. It’s also an appropriate material to use on staircases. The natural elasticity of wool fibres helps the product retain its appearance for longer (particularly when paired with quality underlay).

Carpet and rugs in general add a level of comfort at home and wool is soft to the touch. They also absorb noise and soften footfall noises which make the home a much more pleasant place to be in! This is particularly important in multi-level homes, apartments, units or busy family homes. If the home also features lots of hard surfaces, the addition of wool carpet or rugs and their impact on noise transference indoors will be noticeable

The initial outlay of having wool carpets installed or a wool rug in comparison to synthetic varieties will sometimes be more. This is not always the case, with some synthetic fibres or other natural fibres occasionally comparable. However, wool is considered a premium product and a natural one with many benefits therefore the price can reflect this. There is a great many options that compare to wool carpet and rugs if it doesn’t fit your budget. You can use the handy Setting a Budget page to learn more.

Wool carpet and rugs require care and maintenance just like any other flooring style. Wool carpet can take a little more specific care and you might find this is not suitable for the particular application you had in mind. For example, you might be selecting the carpet for a commercial space, a holiday property or a rental home. As these spaces are a little outside of your control, weighing up the advantages of a commercially graded carpet or a stain or odour-resistant carpet might be more appropriate. Caring for wool carpet should include:

• Cleaning up spills as promptly as possible
• Don’t rub carpet stains; gently blot with a damp white cloth
• Vacuum regularly with an appropriate attachment
• Try not to have shoes on within the home to minimise dirt transference from outside
• Be mindful of pets and their paws!
• Periodic professional cleaning is excellent at deep cleaning and maintaining the look of “newness.”

For a full cleaning and care guide, you can read our Carpet Care notes.

There are many styles of wool carpet with various pile styles, colours and variations available:

• Wool textured loop carpet– Wool loop carpets are a modern and textural look. They feel great underfoot and are a durable design. The loop style might not be suitable for pets, however, as their paws can get caught in the small loops. Particularly cats!
• Wool twist carpet– For those who don’t want the structured look of a loop carpet or have pets but still want to enjoy the benefits of wool- this could be for you. Warm and inviting.
• Wool plush carpet- The ultimate in comfort, a plush pile is heaven to walk across. Bedrooms and retreats are the perfect place to install these luxurious carpets.
• Wool blend carpet- Wool blend is a great option when it comes to both carpets and rugs. They feature authentic wool materials with the added benefits of some synthetic or alternative fibres in the mix.

A rug is generally less of a commitment for a home. This refers to both the purchase price, but also the flexibility rugs offer in terms of being more of a décor piece than a fixed design element. Rugs can be moved around the home and swapped out if they don’t suit in the future. Wool rugs can be more expensive than synthetic varieties, so are they worth it? Wool rugs are beautiful to live with. They’re soft underfoot, authentic in appearance and the natural fibres add texture and warmth to any room. If you have pets and young children, consider other options too that contain synthetic fibres that are a breeze to clean or even a stylish outdoor rug or washable rug. Like anything, ask yourself what your priorities are, and the rug solution will follow!

Wool carpet will be a great choice for many homes, but like any decision it should come with an assessment of suitability. Is wool really the best option for you and your family? If making a sustainable choice is high on your list of priorities, as well as a fibre that is good for allergy sufferers and durable- wool can certainly be a good option. If you’re more driven by budget or something that is easily cleaned in a rental property, for example, perhaps a solution dyed nylon carpet or similar might be a better solution. Chat to your local Flooring Xtra team who are more than happy to guide you to the best possible carpet option for your specific needs.

Can I install carpet myself?

Flooring Xtra stores have dedicated installation teams who are passionate about their job! It’s advised to use professional installers to ensure the correct laying of the carpet but also any pre-installation preparation work that might be needed. Relax and let them do the hard work!

What carpet can be installed in a garage?

Carpet tiles are a wonderful solution for garages as they are incredibly tough and resilient to the everyday events that happen in garages (rain, oil spills etc.) We love a garage transformation and talk in-depth about the features and benefits on our blog.

What is Triexta carpet?

A Triexta carpet is stain resistant and durable, is great for those on a budget, and is fantastic in family homes and high traffic areas. Triexta is has a similar composition to polyester and is also environmentally friendly, partly derived from corn sugar.