February 20, 2017 – Carpeting can add warmth to your living space and offer much-needed sound protection. Yet not all carpets are made equally. Carpet fibers are comprised of either natural materials, like wool, or synthetic materials, like nylon, olefin, and polyester. Each material brings unique characteristics that may or may not fit your lifestyle.
Before choosing your final carpet, choose which fiber best suits your needs:
Nylon
When treated with stain protection, nylon is one of the most durable and stain resistant carpet fiber available. Perfect for heavy traffic in hallways and stairs, nylon is an ideal fiber choice for homes with pets or children. Nylon is an excellent choice for those looking for an easy-to-clean flooring option. It is soil- and mildew-resistant, resilient and non-allergenic making nylon on of the most popular premium carpet materials on the market.
Polyester
Polyester is a standout due to its luxurious look and feel, and is available in a wonderful selection of colors and styles. It’s a good value for homes with a normal amount of traffic. Polyester will not offer the same durability as some other premium fibers in high traffic areas.
Wool
Wool is the premier choice for carpeting and the only all natural fiber made into carpets. It’s durable and stain-resistant, and is considered an eco-friendly floor covering. Wool offers a deep, rich look and feel with excellent resilience and durability. It’s naturally stain resistant and its tightly packed fibers resist dirt. For these reasons, wool carpet tends to be more expensive than the synthetic options.
Olefin
Olefin (polypropylene) was originally designed for outdoor carpeting and basements, and continues to be one of the best options for those spaces. It is resistant to moisture, mildew, mold, water damage, pilling, shedding, and static. Olefin lacks some of the stain resistant qualities of other fibers, so it is typically offered in multi color designs. Many commercial carpets are constructed from this fiber due to how well it wears when constructed of tight loops or a compact short pile.
Triexta (Smartstrand)
Triexta is the newest fiber available and is has quickly grown in popularity. Triexta is made from the same chemical component as polyester, but has its own unique characteristics which more closely mimic nylon. Triexta is noted for its excellent durability and stain resistance, thanks to its hydrophobic properties. This resilience makes it another great carpet option for households with children or pets. Triexta does not require a stain treatment as it is a non porous fiber.
No matter which carpeting you select, our in-house designers can help you achieve the look you want at an affordable price with quick turnaround time. Contact us or stop in to either of our corridor locations and see us today!
Want to learn more about why carpet might be right for you? The Resurgence of Carpet.
