Velvet Vs Twist Carpet – The Right Type Of Carpet Pile For Your Needs

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Taher Sabahi

Picking the right carpet can be like picking the perfect outfit for your floor! It should look good, feel good under your feet, and work well with how you use the room. Velvet and twist carpets are two popular types.

But between velvet vs twist carpet, which one meets your requirements? Well,

Velvet pile carpet is made with straight fibers, and its deep, short pile height is around 5-10mm. Velvet carpet is ideal for low-traffic areas. Twist pile carpet is made with tightly twisted fibers, and its dense, longer pile height is around 6.35-12.7mm. It’s ideal for high-traffic areas.

Velvet VS Twist Carpet

At a glance,

Velvet carpet offers a soft feel with short, straight fibers while twist carpet offers a textured surface, with tightly twisted fibers.

So, will you choose luxury or practicality? I’ll help you decide in this article!

Common Difference Between Velvet Vs Twist Carpet

The common difference between velvet and twist carpets lies in their fiber construction. 

Velvet carpet uses straight fibers for softness, while twist carpet uses tightly twisted yarns for durability.

Common Difference Between Velvet VS Twist Carpet

Both twist and velvet carpets fall under the category of cut pile carpets. But the way they get that smooth feeling is different, which makes each kind of carpet better for certain things. Check it out-

What Is A Velvet Carpet?

A velvet carpet is a plush carpet famous for its luxuriously smooth and soft surface. It’s created using straight fibers with cut ends that are densely crammed. This close construction creates a plush feel underfoot.

Velvet Carpet

NationalFloorsDirect also mentioned the same-

“This style is known for its softness under your feet. It has a more uniform surface than textured carpets, and the fibers are more closely packed together.”

What Is A Twist Carpet?

A twist carpet is like a tightly twisted pile of carpet famous for its textured surface.

Twist Carpet

It’s almost similar to Berber carpets (also known as loop pile carpets) but twist carpets are softer and have more equaled cut. It has practical benefits like hiding dirt, footprints, and vacuum marks.

That’s why Tapi compared twist carpet to ‘the favorite jeans’-

So, what is the difference between twist and velvet carpet? Let me detail a comparison for you-

FeatureVelvet Pile CarpetTwist Pile Carpet
Yarn ConstructionStraight fibers with cut ends form a short, deep pile. Very slightly twisted.Tightly twisted yarns form a slightly textured surface.
AppearanceElegant appearanceTextured appearance 
Pile HeightPrecisely cut to create a smooth, silky feel. Pile height ranges from 5mm to 10mm.Can vary depending on the desired look and functionality. Shorter piles offer a more formal look and longer piles provide a more luxurious feel. Pile height ranges from 6.35mm-12.7mm
DurabilitySurprisingly, velvet carpets are durable due to dense pile construction.Twist piles are long-lasting when it comes to durability. Carpetright mentioned that
Twist carpets are durable and very resistant to spills and stains, making them a great choice for a busy home.”
Footprint And Vaccum MarksThe smooth surface may show footprints and vacuum marks easily. Velvet carpets may be sensitive to crushing in high-traffic areas.Hardly shows any visible footprints or vacuum marks due to the textured surface.
SuitabilityIdeal for low-traffic areas like bedrooms(most popular for bedroom carpet), guest rooms, or formal living rooms where a touch of elegance is desired.  Velvet carpets are not suitable for stairs due to slippery accidents.Natasha Brinsmead agrees with me-
“While deep tufted carpets and ‘velvet’ carpets feel luxurious underfoot, they offer little in the way of grip for staircases.”
Perfect for high-traffic areas like hallways, living rooms, family rooms, and even stairs due to their practicality, durability, and ability to hide dirt.
Maintenance Velvet carpet is very low maintenance and once-a-week vacuuming is enough in not-so-busy households.
“If you have velvet that’s more resistant to wear and stains, you can likely clean your velvet pieces less frequently”says Ashley Abramson.
Twist carpet is also easy to clean but requires more frequent(twice a week) vacuuming than velvet carpet.
“The best thing about a twist pile carpet is that it’s so easy to clean and maintain, it’ll stay looking as good as new for years – just vacuum it twice a week and you’ll see the result.”says Tapi.
Color And Pattern VarietyLimited selection, typically focusing on rich, solid colors like deep red, emerald green, or black.Available in a wide variety of colors(including solids, and heather blends), textures, and even intricate patterns.
FeelSuper soft and plush underfoot, offers a luxurious sensation.Comfortable, but not as luxuriously soft as velvet carpet. The texture provides a good underfoot grip.
Flattens Under Heavy FurnitureMore likely to show permanent indentationsLess likely to show permanent indentations 
CostMore expensive. Hand-woven wool velvet carpet with installation can cost $28/sqft!Less expensive. Wool twist carpet with installation can cost 18.06-25.35/sqft.

Note: You can get a good understanding of the types of carpet pile from this video Carpet – Pile Guide

For Data verification:

Carpet Pile Types Explained

Carpet Pile Types Explained

Pile height ranges betweer velvet and twist carpet:

Pile height ranges between velvet and twist carpet

Velvet Vs Twist Carpet Which One Better?

Between velvet vs twist carpet,  the better options depend on your priorities-

  • Choose twist carpet -Durability, fewer indentations, less footprint, vacuum marks, and for high-traffic areas.
  • Choose velvet carpet- Luxury and soft feel, low maintenance, and for low-traffic areas.

If you ask me about my opinion about it-

“Twist carpets are a more practical choice. They offer durability, are resistant to flattening over time, and are perfect for high-traffic areas. Twist carpets might not be as soft as velvet carpets but they are comfortable.”

What about you? Share your vote here-

A. Twist Carpet

B. Velvet Carpet

Note: If you want to identify different types of carpet material, check out this article- “How to tell carpet material.”

Twist Carpet And Velvet Carpet Pros And Cons

Both velvet and twist carpets offer unique advantages and disadvantages. Let me share a breakdown to help you decide-

Velvet Carpet Pros

  • Incredibly soft and plush underfoot
  • Requires less frequent vacuuming.
  • Creates an aesthetic ambiance to any room.

Twist Carpet Pros

  • Highly durable
  • Effectively hides dirt, footprint, and vacuum marks.
  • Ideal for high-traffic areas.

Velvet Carpet Cons

  • Flattens over time under heavy furniture.
  • Prone to footprints and vacuum marks.
  • Can cause slippery accidents on stairs, not ideal for high-traffic areas.

Twist Carpet Cons

  • Requires more frequent vacuuming to maintain appearance.
  • Comfortable but not as luxurious as velvet carpet.
  • May develop shading over time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are Velvet Carpets Good?

Absolutely! Velvet carpet offers a winning combination of luxury and durability. Their dense, short pile creates a superb soft feel underfoot because they are generally made with high quality or high-percentage of wool (around 80%). 

Which Type Of Carpet Offers Better Stain Resistance, Velvet, Or Twist?

Twist carpets win here! These types of carpets have textured finish surfaces. Carpet with a twist pile hides stains better than velve’s smooth pile. If stain resistance is a top priority, you can choose a twist carpet.

Do Velvet Or Twist Carpets Come In A Wider Range Of Colors And Patterns?

Twist carpets come in a wide range of colors and patterns. Velvet carpets often focus on rich, solid colors. But twist carpets come in classic plain to heather colors. For patterns, twist carpets are also a popular choice(from geometric designs to stripe or floral patterns).

What Is The Difference Between Twist And Texture Carpets?

Both offer textured appearances, but there’s a subtle difference. Tightly twisted yarns create a light texture that hides footprints. Textured carpets combine different fiber heights for a harsher feel that hides dirt and tear even better.

Wrapping Up Everything

So, there you have it- the battle between velvet vs twist carpet.

It all boils down to what you prioritize for your space.

If you crave a luxurious feel underfoot, velvet might be your match. But for most folks looking for a tough yet comfortable one, twist carpets are probably the more practical choice.

Ultimately, the best carpet is the one that makes you happy!

So, what do you say?

Team twist or team velvet?

Let me know in the comments below!

About the author

Writen By

Taher Sabahi

Taher Sabahi is a certified flooring consultant with over 15 years of industry experience. He holds a master’s degree in Interior Design from the New York School of Interior Design. The Taher Sabahi has a deep passion for helping clients find the perfect floor coverings for their spaces.

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