Benefits of specifying an Axminster carpet
In the carpet industry, it is commonly known the dimensional stability of an Axminster carpet is far greater than that of two-dimensional tufted products. The tufting process requires a secondary backing to be adhered to the primary backing, which can fall prey to delamination in certain situations. Delamination is the separation of the primary and secondary layers of the tufted carpet, resulting in a significant loss of structural integrity. In certain types of tufted carpet manufacturing, the design is printed on the surface of the pile instead of utilizing pre-dyed yarns.
Clarity of design
During the printing process of tufted carpet, colour is injected onto the surface of the pile, which can result in colours bleeding together, therefore losing complete clarity of design. With Axminster-style products, each yarn is pre-dyed, ensuring full colour penetration. This process allows for crisper design elements and richer colour profiles, resulting in a more esthetically pleasing product.
Appearance retention
Due to the nature of the printing process, dye can never fully penetrate the yarn used in printed tufted carpets. Even minimal wear can pull apart the pile to expose the un-dyed yarn or backing, altering the interior’s entire colour palette. Since the dye is applied on the surface (and not an integrated part of the yarn), it can be easily removed in the normal foot traffic and periodic cleaning.
Esthetic feel
Specifying the right carpet for a hospitality project heightens the interior with a luxury product. Tufted products are also much thinner, resulting in poor underfoot comfort when compared to an Axminster carpet.
Ease of maintenance
Printed products generally utilize 100 per cent nylon and therefore face the limitations of cleaning and maintaining nylon fibres. Wool-rich Axminster carpets have excellent soil-repelling properties due to the scaled surface of wool fibre.
Dimensional stability and performance
An Axminster product will never succumb to delamination like a tufted product because the pile is woven directly into the backing instead of being adhered together later.
Life expectancy
Carpets are replaced in hospitality projects because they lose their appearance, shape, or design relevance. Due to the nature of the manufacturing process and application of dye, a traditional tufted product will lose its appearance at a faster rate than Axminster carpet.
Price point
The durability, life expectance, and quality construction make Axminster carpeting a premium product with a higher initial cost than a tufted product. However, it offers superior appearance retention and a long lifespan.
