Wool quality of carpets
I'm beginning to think people don't care about the wool quality of carpets. If you're a potential purchaser, you seem only to care about colour and price? This surprises me as there are considerable differences in quality on offer for equal amounts of your money.
Much carpeting is currently made from Turkish wool. This means that you will save a few quid per square metre BUT lose far more than you gain in wear resistance terms. All carpets will last without wearing out in the short to medium term but lose their cosmetic appearance much more quickly if poorer wool quality is used.
End of tufts will flatten and wear out, probably splitting or fraying if it isn't British or New Zealand wool. You'll still be able to tread on it, but its looks will deteriorate faster and any poor points in the quality of the "staple" will become obvious.
British Wool
You can recognise British wool easily by the sheperds crook logo. This is shown left and will normally be featured on any carpet made from British wool.
The wool is tough, and ads to the carpets body by holding its shape better.
Most manufacturers will "trumpet" the British quality of their wool. Occasionally some companies make their carpets from British wool but don't advertise the fact. Victoria Carpets are one such company who use meaningless marques such as "pure new wool" whereas they have the right to use the real thing.
People seem to think "pure new wool" and "British made" mean something, and although they actually mean very little, some companies prefer to market their products with them. I think this is actually done to fool people it means British wool (and it means nothing of the sort). Perhaps these marks mean more to those who don't know the real facts.
New Zealand Wool
New Zealand wool is reputed to be much purer in colour and therefore superb for dyeing very light colours. It is tough too and no doubt this is because Britain and New Zealand share similar climates (being similar in distance from the equator and polar caps).
This is what determines the quality of the wool for carpets. The closer you move to the equator, so wool quality goes down. The need for warmth in colder climates is a deciding factor.
How it's constructed makes a difference
Apart from wool quality, carpet manufacturing quality can make a significant difference. Using two-fold (or more) techniques can compensate for lower quality wool content. A two-fold (ply) carpet constructed in Turkish or Portugese wool may outperform a poorly made British wool single yarn carpet. Brands can make an indication of quality here - but buyer beware.
More details of carpet construction factors can be on the carpet quality page
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