Berber versus Cut Pile, what is the Best Marine Carpet Style for my Boat?

A day rarely goes by that we don’t get asked the question, “Is Berber or Cut Pile the best marine carpet style for my boat?”

While there is really no wrong answer, there are some guidelines you should consider before deciding on your replacement boat carpet style. To determine which style is right for you, you’ll want to ask yourself:

• Is the carpet going to be glued, stapled or snapped-in?
• How hard are you on your boat floor?
• How do you use your boat?
• What is your style preference?

Below, we’ll look at these questions and their answers to help you determine which style is best for your boat.

Is the carpet going to be glued, stapled or snapped-in?

There is only one hard and fast rule and that is the application.  Is the carpet going to be directly glued to the boat floor, stapled to the deck or converted into a snap-in mat?

When the carpet is going to be permanently installed, either by gluing or stapling to the boat floor, the all-loop Berber style is not a good option.   The loops are formed from one continuous strand of yarn that can pull easily,  making it very difficult to seal the edge. Once a loop is pulled, there is no stopping it. Instead, you will be looking at a hole in your carpet.

Cut Piles, where you can get a clean edge and minimal fraying, are a much better choice for this application.

If the carpet is being converted into an AquaMat® or Snap-In boat mat, either style will work, so there are other factors to consider, which we’ll look at below.

How hard are you on your boat floor?

The second thing you should consider is how hard you are on your boat floor. For example, is there a lot of traffic in a concentrated area?

Cut Piles have the tendency to mat down over time with wear patterns. Berbers offer slightly more resiliency and do not show traffic patterns to the same degree as Cut Piles.

How do you use your boat?

Is there a lot of fishing going on? If so, the preference is often a Cut Pile where hooks won’t get caught and the carpet won’t get snagged.

A snag in Berber is the same as a pull and could leave behind a hole. Obviously, it’s not great for your fishing equipment either.

What is your style preference?

Lastly, you’ll want to consider your style preference.

For those traditionalists who don’t want their replacement marine carpet to deviate from the OEM specified material, lighter-weight cut piles are typically used in fishing, ski and smaller runabouts.

For those traditionalists where replacement marine carpet should not deviate from the OEM specified material, lighter weight cut piles typically are used in fishing, ski and smaller runabouts. Higher-end Cut Piles (32 oz. and above) have been specified in ski boats and go-fast boats.

At the other end of the spectrum, Berbers have become the standard for Cruisers and larger boats.

Still not sure which marine carpet style is best for you?

If you follow these simple guidelines regarding application and performance before making your final decision, you won’t go wrong. But, if you are still not sure, one of our experts is standing by  to assist you with your selection and to send a sample so you can see the carpet in your boat before you purchase.

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