Shag Carpet is Back!

You bet it is, and it is making a real comeback. To those of you that do not know, shag carpet is a deep pile carpet. It was called shag because the longer nap or strands that were used gave it a very shaggy appearance. Making its debut in the 1970s, shag is back. Bringing with it a casual comfort that will make you take your shoes off just to wiggle your toes in the luxurious, long strands.

Shag comes in many textures and colors, and is used in most rooms of the house. Shag carpet can be used to create both formal and informal environments. Lighter, neutral colors such as whites, browns and blacks tend to create the more formal environments. There is such a wide array of colors available that will help create a more informal and playful atmosphere, perfect for a child's bedroom or a great throw in the living room.

Shag - The Difference is in the Pile

In a shag cut pile, the yarn is twisted slightly and is set a little further apart, giving the carpeting a shaggy feel. The strands will fall in all different directions and is often called grassy pile because of this. Shag carpet pile is much longer than a typical cut pile carpet.

Cut pile carpet is cut sorter and the individual strands are much closer together giving it a tighter look and feel. It feels much firmer under foot.

Both Berber and Cut & Loop carpet are a very short, tightly woven pile that is made up of loops of yarn rather than the cut, individual ends. Berber became very popular because of its durability as well as the ability to hide traffic patterns and wear. Berber and Cut & Loop carpeting is available in many designs and patterns. The patterns are woven in by utilizing different loop lengths in the making of the carpet, creating a permanent pattern.

Frieze cut pile carpets are made using curly yarn. This yarn has been tightly twisted leaving it with a mini or short shag appearance. This type of carpeting is great for hiding foot prints.

The mother of comfort, the epitome of relaxation, at least to me, is taking my shoes off and sinking down into a 4" shag carpet. The long, loose pile of shag creates a very soft walking area that is great for hiding footprints and traffic patterns.

Shag carpets are a little more work to keep clean. So break out the shag rakes, I'm sure some of you still have yours, and preen that carpet! Shag rakes are short tooth rakes with a little curve that are used for raking your carpet after vacuuming for that perfect, well combed look. Yes, a little more work, but well worth it in my opinion.