If you’ve come across this blog post, then chances are you are in the midst of a home renovation or are considering frieze vs plush carpet options.

Either way, there are a lot of factors to consider when replacing your flooring. Are you changing the color? The material? Is there something you’re looking for in your new carpet that your old carpet didn’t have?

Adding anything to your home is an investment and we want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. To help make your decision, this blog is going to compare and contrast two very popular types of carpeting: Frieze carpet vs plush carpet.

So, if you are considering one of the two, then read on for all you need to know to decide if either of these types of carpet is the right choice for you.

What is Frieze Carpet? 

Frieze carpet (pronounced “free-ZAY”) has become a very popular style in recent years.

Consider it the updated version of the shag carpeting you may remember from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Though that style of carpeting has gone out of style, the new frieze carpet is very much in style and is considered a trendy and modern option to update the look of your floors.

Frieze carpet begins manufacturing much like any other carpet style, with the fibers woven in tight loops through the carpet backing. Frieze is a cut pile carpet so, unlike loop pile carpet, the tops of its loops are sheared away, making sure to leave a fairly high pile (length of the fibers).

After this, the carpet is treated with a steam heating process that leaves the fibers crimped and tightly twisted. These twisted fibers give frieze carpet added durability, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas, such as stairs, hallways, and other places in your home that see a lot of foot traffic.

Most frieze carpet is made of polyester or polyethylene terephthalate (PET, recycled plastic) and is not only durable, but soft and cushy underfoot.

What is Plush Carpet? 

Most people aren’t even aware that there are other carpet options since plush carpeting has been so popular for so long. It’s only in recent years that other types of cut pile carpets have begun to grow in popularity. Chances are if you grew up in a home with carpeted floors, you grew up with plush carpeting.

Like frieze carpet, plush carpet begins manufacturing with dense loops woven through the carpet backing. Unlike frieze carpets, however, plush carpeting requires the loops to be sheared evenly, leaving the carpet with uniform fibers and a shorter pile.

This gives the plush carpet a smooth and velvety surface and the plush texture is very soft and comfortable underfoot. Plush carpeting is a great choice for family rooms, bedrooms, and other rooms in your home where you want an elegant look and a comfortable floor.

Plush carpets can be made from a variety of different materials, from wool to synthetic fibers like nylon.

How Do I Choose?

If you’re torn between frieze and plush carpet, you’ll have to look at some factors to determine which is the better fit for your home and your budget.

Consider things like the amount of foot traffic each room of your home gets on average. Do you need something very durable for a large and busy family?

You’ll also want to consider your lifestyle. Do you have small children? Pets?

Are you on a budget and looking for a cheaper option?

With those questions in mind, let’s weigh the pros and cons of each of these two carpeting styles.

Frieze Carpet: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Durability — Due to its twisted and kinked fibers, frieze carpet tends to be more durable and long-lasting than other carpet construction types. Frieze carpet has a longer pile, allowing the fibers to lay on their side instead of sticking straight up.

Because of this construction, its fibers bounce back very easily after being pushed down, helping you avoid that flat or crushed look. It is also good at hiding footprints and annoying vacuum cleaner lines.

• Stain Resistance — Most frieze carpets are made of PET recycled plastic fiber, which makes them more stain-resistant than plush. It is also a very dense carpet which makes it more difficult for dirt and dust to sink below the fibers and to the carpet padding.

Additionally, Frieze carpet is most commonly sold in flecked colors that can help your cleaning efforts by camouflaging dirt, stains, and messes left by kids or pets.

• Appearance — Frieze carpet is often sold in neutral beige or gray tones with darker-colored flecks and speckles. Many people like the relaxed look this gives their home and it’s quite easy to pair with any decor you already have.

• Installation — If you have frieze carpet installed in your home, you’ll find that replacing a section is easier due to the flecked colors and long fibers that are good at hiding carpet seams. Even more so if you purchased carpet tiles instead of a big 12 x 12 square foot roll of carpet. Just rip out the offending tile, replace it, and no one will be any the wiser.

Cons

• More Expensive — The extra heat treating in its manufacturing process makes frieze carpet cost a little extra than plush. If you want frieze, but are on a budget, consider a carpet made of PET. It’s cheaper than other frieze materials.

• Informal — While some love the aesthetic that frieze’s neutral tones and flecks bring to their room, others find it’s too informal for their tastes and would prefer a more elegant look.

• Limited Options — If you’re looking for wild color options, then you might not be satisfied with frieze’s neutral colors. Beiges, browns, and grays are what you’ll find in most frieze carpet retailers. It is also difficult for a frieze carpet to hold patterns.

Plush Carpet: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Versatile — Plush carpet comes in many more color options than a frieze and can cover a very wide range of styles to match any decor you want.

You can also find a plush carpet with various designs if that’s what you’re looking for. There’s a reason plush carpeting has been so popular over the years and that’s because it is a very versatile choice for your home.

• Appearance — Many people love the smooth and velvety look of plush carpeting. Paired with the right furniture and room, plush carpeting can be a very elegant-looking choice. Perfect for a dining room or living room and any room where you want to show off your unique style.
• Comfort — The uniform pile and density of plush carpet make for a very comfy and luxurious barefoot experience. Plush carpet is soft underfoot and makes a great choice for bedrooms, living rooms, or wherever else you enjoy walking barefoot or napping on the floor. It’s also ideal when you want to install carpet over tile or other existing hard surfaces.
• Cost — This will vary on the quality, material, and design of your plush carpet. Generally, plush carpets are easier to manufacture and are thus a more cost-effective option for those who want a beautiful floor without breaking the bank.

Cons

• Durability — Because of the plush carpet’s light fiber pile, it is less durable than frieze carpet when exposed to higher foot traffic.

• Indentions — The light fiber pile also makes it easy to leave indentions in your carpet when walking or vacuuming. If you don’t like that look, don’t worry, as these indentations are easy to smooth out.

• Watermarking — Plush carpet has a higher risk of watermarking or Permanent Pile Reversal Shading, which is a permanent pile reversal in certain areas of your floor. These irregularly-shaped areas will appear darker or slightly more shaded, giving off the effect that your carpet is wet.

Frieze vs Plush Carpet: Have You Decided?

Now that you know the difference between frieze and plush carpet, which one is the right choice for you?

Remember to factor in your budget, lifestyle, and how much foot traffic the room you’re installing your new carpet will get on a daily basis.

And if you need more help deciding, why not give Flooring Expo a call?

We offer free in-home consultations where our carpet experts can walk your home and help take the pressure out of the decision-making process. They’ll get to know you, your carpet needs, and your budget to help you decide which carpet type and material would be best for you and your home.

And if you’ve made your choice, then Flooring Expo would be happy to install your new carpets, whether you’ve decided to go with frieze, plush, or something completely different.

Your investment will be protected by our lifetime installation warranty, so you can enjoy your new floors worry-free and be satisfied with your purchase for the life of your carpet.

Let’s connect today. Schedule your free in-home consultation online to get started!