Carpeting is made of synthetic or wool yarn sewn through a backing of canvas or other material. The loops can be of varying heights and are often cut to make the carpet's pile. Some carpets are a combination of cut and uncut loops.

The most durable and common synthetic carpeting material is nylon, which wears well and can be quite stain resistant. Other synthetic materials are olefin, polyester, and acrylic--the latter, more expensive fiber has a texture more like natural wool. Wool has the most pleasant and natural texture, and is also the most expensive carpet material.

Carpet can be applied over almost any subfloor or existing flooring--except for old carpet. A thick pile will hide irregularities in subflooring in a way that most other floorings won't.