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Carpets come in a variety of fibers, each with their own unique properties and characteristics. When choosing new carpeting for your home, it is important to understand the differences between the most common carpet fibers - nylon, polyester, triexta/SmartStrand, and wool. Evaluating factors like durability, stain resistance, comfort, and cost can help you pick the best carpet fiber for your lifestyle and needs.

Nylon

Nylon is the most popular and widely used carpet fiber, making up approximately 45-50% of all residential carpeting. This synthetic material is valued for its strength, durability, resilience, stain resistance, and colorfastness. Of all the synthetic fibers, nylon is the softest and most comfortable underfoot.

Nylon carpets retain their texture very well, even in high-traffic areas of a home. Nylon fibers are resistant to insects, mildew, rot and chemicals. They have excellent bounce-back capability that allows the carpet to show footprints less. All these features make nylon a versatile and durable flooring option suitable for active households. Being fade-resistant, nylon carpeting retains its rich color for years. It is also relatively inexpensive when compared to other carpet fibers.

The main downside to nylon carpets is that oil-based substances can permanently stain them if not cleaned promptly. So, a bit more maintenance is essential.

Polyester

Polyester is second only to nylon in terms of residential carpet popularity, making up approximately 35% of the low- and medium-priced carpet market. Polyester is colorfast like nylon and also fairly easy to clean. However, when compared to other fibers polyester carpets tend to lack resiliency and show matting over time in high-traffic areas.

Polyester fiber is very resistant to stains, except oil-based ones. It also has good color clarity and uniformity due to excellent dye processing. Polyester carpets are affordable to buy, though they won’t last as long as nylon or wool. So, they make a decent choice for rental properties or other temporary flooring needs.

Triexta/SmartStrand

A newer type of synthetic fiber is triexta, produced under Mohawk’s brand name SmartStrand. Triexta has many of the same benefits as nylon when it comes to strength, durability, and stain protection. It also shares polyester's strong resistance to stains.

What makes SmartStrand unique is it's made partly from corn glucose. So it's more environmentally-friendly than other synthetics made from all petrochemical materials.

SmartStrand carpets are exceptionally easy to clean - even tough stains like coffee, blood, soda and red wine can be removed with just water. No harsh chemicals needed. This is a great convenience for households with kids or pets. Also impressive are SmartStrand's rich, long-lasting colors and soft, luxurious feel.

On the downside, SmartStrand doesn't have the same track record of proven performance as longtime fibers like nylon and polyester. And it tends to be more expensive than the other synthetics too.

Wool

Wool is the only natural fiber used in carpets, woven from the coats of sheep. Wool is valued for its natural stain resistance, biodegradability, and luxurious appearance and feel. It has excellent durability too in lower-traffic areas. Higher-end wool carpets can last 20-30 years when properly maintained.

The fibers in wool carpets have a natural crimp that allows them to bounce back well and retain their shape even in heavily used sections of a room. Wool is also moisture-wicking with natural fire-retardant properties. This makes it a good choice for damp climates or homes with fireplaces.

From an environmental standpoint, wool is the best carpet fiber since it's sustainable and biodegradable. Sheep produce fiber naturally year after year.

Wool carpets do have some limitations though. They crush down easier than synthetics in frequently used pathways. Wool also tends to be the most expensive carpet fiber and requires more specialized cleaning methods. Since it can shrink when wet, steam cleaning or do-it-yourself carpet shampoos are not recommended.

Final Words

When shopping for carpeting each fiber has trade-offs across factors like cost, durability, comfort, and ease of maintenance. Consider your home's needs and lifestyle to determine whether a versatile synthetic like nylon or triexta, economical polyester, or luxurious wool suits you best. Consulting a flooring expert can further help pinpoint the best carpeting options for the rooms in your house. Taking time to understand carpet fibers pays off with flooring that looks beautiful and functions well for years to come.

We make carpets affordable! At Pay As You Go Carpets, receive £600 instant credit for new flooring. Repay over time in £10 weekly increments.