Carpet Types, Grades & Cost

Carpet remains one of the most popular floor coverings in UK bedrooms and living rooms, and it comes in a bewildering variety of types, fibres, and grades. At its simplest: expect to pay £8–£20/m² for a serviceable synthetic carpet, £20–£35/m² for quality wool-blend options, and £30–£50/m² or more for pure wool. Add about £7–£17/m² for fitting and underlay.

The right carpet for your project depends on three things: pile type, fibre, and usage grade. Get those right and the aesthetics will take care of themselves.

Pile Types

Twist Pile (Cut Pile)

One of the most common carpet types in UK homes.¹ Individual yarns are cut at the top and twisted together. The twist adds resilience: the fibres spring back after compression. Twist level is sometimes quoted in twists per inch (TPI); as a rule, a tighter twist recovers better and lasts longer.

Twist pile suits living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. It is easy to clean and widely available at all price points.

Loop Pile (Berber)

Fibres form continuous loops rather than being cut. The result is a flat, dense surface that is highly durable and hides footprints and vacuum marks well. Berber-style loop pile in grey or beige tones has become very popular for open-plan spaces.

The downside: snagging. Pets with claws and high heels can catch a loop and pull a visible run through the carpet.² Not ideal for homes with cats or dogs.¹

Cut and Loop Pile (Textured / Pattern)

Combines cut and looped fibres in the same carpet, creating sculptural patterns or tonal variations. Good for hiding wear and traffic patterns. The mixed construction means the carpet tends to retain its appearance longer in moderate-use areas.

Velvet / Saxony Pile

A dense cut pile where the fibres stand upright and very close together. Luxurious underfoot and visually impressive, but shows every footprint and vacuum line. Best reserved for bedrooms with light traffic.¹

Fibres: Wool vs Synthetic

For a living room, an 80/20 wool-nylon blend is a hard-wearing choice, with stain-resistant polypropylene an alternative for a young family.³ Polypropylene is practical for children’s bedrooms, playrooms and dining rooms, where spills are common.²

Usage Grades (European Classification)

Most carpets sold in the UK carry a use class under BS EN 1307, the European classification standard for textile floor coverings and carpet tiles.⁴ The class tells you the level of use the product has been tested for:

Classes 21 to 23 are for domestic use and 31 to 33 for commercial use, each graded moderate, general or heavy.⁵ For a family living room or a busy hallway, you should not go below Class 23. Stairs benefit from Class 31 or above, and EN 1307 also has a separate rating for suitability on stairs that is worth looking for.⁵ Do not be tempted by a Class 21 carpet because it looks good in the showroom: it is rated only for moderate domestic use and will flatten and wear quickly under daily family traffic.

Underlay: Not Optional

Carpet underlay is as important as the carpet itself. It extends the life of the carpet by absorbing impact, provides thermal and acoustic insulation, and makes the carpet feel more luxurious underfoot.⁶ A good carpet on cheap underlay will wear faster and feel worse than a budget carpet on quality underlay.

For stairs, a firm, dense underlay such as crumb rubber or felt holds its shape at the nosings, although Cormar notes that foam underlay is easy to fit on difficult areas such as staircases.⁸ A thinner underlay, around 9 mm, is also easier to fit neatly over the nosings.⁸

Cost Summary

Carpet fitters typically charge £4–£8/m² for fitting, plus a minimum call-out of £60–£100. Stair carpeting takes longer per m² and is usually quoted at £8–£15 per tread. Carpet should be fitted in accordance with BS 5325, the British Standard for the installation of textile floor coverings.⁹

Stair Carpets: Special Considerations

Stairs are the most demanding location for carpet, concentrated wear at nosing edges, directional traffic, and repeated bending at each tread. Key rules:

• Choose Class 31 or above
• Use a firmer underlay (crumb rubber or felt)
• A dense, tightly twisted twist pile
• A wool-rich carpet such as 80/20 wool-nylon is the traditional and practical choice³
• Avoid loop pile entirely on stairs (snagging and trip risk)
• Consider a runner rather than wall-to-wall if you want to show off the stair timber

Questions to Ask Before Buying

1. What grade/class is the carpet?
2. What is the fibre composition?
3. What twist count (TPI) does it have?
4. Is the underlay included in the price, and what type?
5. Is the fitting price inclusive of door-bar strips and stair rods?
6. What is the warranty and what does it cover?

A reputable carpet retailer will answer all of these without hesitation. If they cannot or will not, go elsewhere.