Comparing Home Carpet Fiber Types: Polyester and Nylon

Comparing Home Carpet Fiber Types: Polyester and Nylon

One of the most critical components to consider when buying a new carpet for your home is the type of fibre or fabric used in manufacturing it. Of course, this must take precedence over other elements such as appearance, pattern, colour, and texture, as this particular factor plays a crucial role in maintenance, durability, and many more.

There are currently two types of carpet fibre commonly sold in the market: polyester and nylon. These materials have distinct strengths and weaknesses. Thus, it’s vital to research both before picking out which home carpet to buy.

To give you a helping hand, we will be dissecting the different characteristics of each fibre type below to guide you in making the right choice before visiting carpet stores.

Durability

Sturdiness and durability are amongst the top characteristics an individual looks for when making a purchase. Understandably, anyone will want a carpet that can withstand heavy foot traffic and resist wear and tear, so here’s a closer look at what each fibre has to offer in terms of durability.

Nylon: this type of synthetic carpet fibre is famous for its resiliency as it can bounce back to its original form despite heavy compression. This characteristic makes it perfect for rooms where you expect high traffic, such as living rooms, entertainment rooms, and hallways.

Polyester: this type of fibre, though also synthetic, is less durable than nylon. The reason behind this is that polyester does not have the same retention strength as nylon. Furthermore, it’s a lot more vulnerable to daily wear and tear.

Stain Resistance

Nowadays, every home carpet has stain protection features that prevent spills from settling and staining the fibres. However, this feature can only do so much as it will eventually wear off after some time. If you’re looking for carpets that offer more resistance to spills and stains, you can refer to the information below.

Nylon: this carpet fibre is pretty susceptible to staining as it is a type of material that is very absorbent. On the bright side, nylon carpets are a lot easier to maintain, so cleaning up stains won’t be an issue at all. In addition to this, there are solution dyed-nylon floor coverings that are a lot more resistant to staining than standard ones, but these are pretty rare to find even from famous carpet stores.

Polyester: this type of fibre repels liquid due to its hydrophobic features, making them more resistant to staining. However, keep in mind that this characteristic is useless against oil-based fluid, which is why spillage from lotions, oils, and the like will still leave a dark stain on polyester carpets.

Other Factors To Consider

There are other contributing factors that set nylon and polyester apart. For one, nylon is a lot more expensive despite having a rougher texture. While you can find nylon carpets that are softer to the touch, these types of floor coverings have thinner strands of fibre that make them less durable. On the other hand, polyester carpets are much cheaper and softer.

Furthermore, the quality of the carpet is a significant determining factor as well. Undoubtedly, a high-quality polyester carpet will outperform low-quality nylon; thus, it’s essential to consider this as well.

Conclusion

Both polyester and nylon have distinctive features that make them a better option over the other. While this guide can help you compare both fibres, it will be helpful to have a criterion that you can use to decide which carpet will work best with your budget and needs.

Global Carpets offer a diverse and comprehensive collection of carpet, laminate, and vinyl floorings designed to spruce up the interior of any home. As one of the trusted carpet stores in Vancouver, you can rely on us for durable yet stylish carpets. Call us for an estimate today!

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