1) Type of Fibre or Yarn :	Making up 99% of all carpet sold today, is nylon, polyester trevira, polypropylene, or wool. Each yarn has it's own attributes and appropriate usages.
2) Basic Style :	Most manufactured carpets fit into one of three basic categories; Loop Pile, Cut Pile, Cut & Loop.
3) Basic Style Variations :	Within the three basic styles there are many , many variations with the most common being cut pile saxonies, cut pile textured yarn saxonies (commonly called " trackless " or "semi trackless " carpet), and loop pile berbers.
4) Weight :	The "weight" of the carpet can vary from approximately 20 oz per square yard to 120 oz per square yard, depending on the amount of yarn used in the carpet.
5) Density :	The density of the carpet is determined by the combination of two things; gauge and stitch count. Very simply, the gauge is the number of rows of tufts used, going across the width, with the stitch count, the measurement of the distance between tufts, down the length of the carpet. For example a "tenth gauge" carpet has ten rows of tufts per inch wide. A stitch count of ten means that in the tufting process, the tufting needle spaced the tufts 1/10 th of an inch apart going the length of the carpet, while sewing or "tufting"the carpet. Most common gauges and stitch counts are 1/8 th, 1/10 th, 1/12 th
6) Twist Level :	For yarn tufts to have stability and strength the yarn is "twisted" before tufting. Varying amounts of twist, yeild varying amounts of performance and different "looks" and "feel". For example, a "hard twist" carpet increases performance but may sacrifice the soft feel of the product.
7) Colour :	The colour of carpet is determined by two common methods; tufting the carpet with pre dyed yarn (solution dyed) or dying (colouring) the carpet after tufting.
8) Stain Protection :	There are many brand names of stain protection available today, but basically stain protection on your carpet fits into one of two categories. a) A topical treatment such as " Scotch Gaurd", that is applied to eliminate static and protect against staining. b) A yarn treatment such as " Stainmaster" where the yarn is specially treated to eliminate static and provide an even higher level of stain protection It is important to understand that some items can/will stain any carpet, however stain protection will gaurd against permanent staining from many, many common household items.

In summary, it is the combination of all eight issues that contribute to a finished carpet that is suitable for your your home. Obviously each issue has an effect on the performance,"look", feel and price of the carpet. With each person having there own personal tastes, it is important to choose the carpet that has the right "look", colour and anticipated performance level to meet your requirements.