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What is Broadloom Carpet?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A broadloom carpet is simply any type of carpet that is woven on a very wide loom. These carpets carry a distinct and obvious advantage when they are used to create area carpeting in large rooms, as they can be installed without creating seams. As standalone rugs and carpets, they also carry a size advantage over machine-woven carpets produced on more narrow looms. Many carpet supply stores stock this type of carpet for people who wish to consider it as an option.

A wide range of styles and designs of broadloom carpet can be created. Modern carpet looms are operated with computer programs, which allow people to precisely program desired patterns and sizes. The computer can also be used to dictate the height of the pile and any additional features. This type of carpet can be pile woven or loop woven, and it can integrate a wide variety of colors. If the carpet is intended for use as a throw rug, borders can be programmed into the loom.

Broadloom carpets are wide and can be installed without creating seams.
Broadloom carpets are wide and can be installed without creating seams.

Construction materials for these carpets vary. It is possible to find natural materials like wool, horsehair, and sisal, typically for a moderate price, along with synthetics like nylon and plastic. Some synthetic broadlooms are designed to be fire resistant to meet regional building codes, either with the use of chemical treatments or special fibers. The backing tends to be extremely durable so that the carpet can withstand hard use.

Broadloom carpet can be made on looms.
Broadloom carpet can be made on looms.

When a broadloom carpet is installed as wall-to-wall or area carpeting, it is typically laid over a carpet pad. Carpet pads help to provide more insulation, and they also protect the carpet from condensation. Pad thicknesses vary, from relatively thin to extremely plush, and they affect the overall look and feel of the carpet once it is installed. The carpet is typically nailed in place with carpet tacks or staples once it has been cut to size.

Carpet pads help to provide more insulation, and they also protect the carpet from condensation.
Carpet pads help to provide more insulation, and they also protect the carpet from condensation.

Throw rugs woven on a broadloom tend to be less costly than some other woven rug designs. Some companies will create throw rugs of custom size by cutting down swaths of material edging them with machine-made borders. This practice is common with rattan and seagrass carpets, which can be easily cut down without interrupting a pattern.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

DoraG

I was able to find enough broadloom carpet from a warehouse, super plush, 100% creme wool, for my entire townhome. The best part of the deal was that someone bought it for a very large home and changed their mind. Since it was so "broad", I was able to easily get 1400 square feet at an extreme discount!

If I quoted the price, you wouldn't believe it. This deal made my year!

BambooForest

Broadloom carpets can, if chosen well, offer a much nicer and classier look than more simple machine-made carpets. If you go somewhere like a factory store that offers odd lots of carpet, it can actually be very inexpensive, too.

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    • Broadloom carpets are wide and can be installed without creating seams.
      By: zhu difeng
      Broadloom carpets are wide and can be installed without creating seams.
    • Broadloom carpet can be made on looms.
      By: JMFontecha
      Broadloom carpet can be made on looms.
    • Carpet pads help to provide more insulation, and they also protect the carpet from condensation.
      By: Kadmy
      Carpet pads help to provide more insulation, and they also protect the carpet from condensation.