If you want to design your dream home or give a new life to an existing space, having wall-to-wall carpet installed can help solve all your problems. The good news is that there are different types of carpets to choose from, with each one having an advantage over the other. Also, it’s best that you learn about their pros and cons so that you won’t have a hard time during the decision-making process.
So, check out these top 3 commonly used carpet fibers along with their pros and cons!
- Polyester
Polyester’s popularity seems to go up and down like a roller coaster. Because it’s relatively inexpensive to produce, manufacturers are regularly reintroducing this fiber to the carpet industry. Although it has some excellent qualities, and is a great fiber for clothing, it does have some limiting factors when used in carpet.
Pros
- Since polyester does not have dye sites, it is usually dyed with a disperse dye or solution dye method which makes it very resistant to bleaching, fading and soil dye reactions.
- Stain Resistant – This applies only to water-based stains. Low Absorbency – Quick drying
Cons
- Polyester is difficult to dye and usually must be solution dyed which limits the variety.
- It is not resistant to oily stains, and in fact an oily spill or spot left without proper cleanup can oxidize and even chemically bond with and become part of the fiber. You need to know that some of these spots just won’t come out.
- Crimp Loss – Early polyester was a mess. A new polyester carpet was fuller, fluffier and more luxurious than anything on the market. Six-month-old polyester was an owner’s nightmare. Due to loss of twist and crimp, long strait fibers were left in the traffic areas, which caused matting and tangling and destroyed the original look of the carpet. Definite improvements have been made by heat setting and using finer yarns, but crimp loss can still be a problem. This is a characteristic of polyester, not a defect.
Source: Albemarle Fabric & Floor Care Specialists
- Wool
Wool is unique in the sense that it comes sheep. And New Zealand has garnered a special place in this world in producing very high-quality wool for use in both carpets as well as rugs. Due to its cost, which can easily be 2-3 times that of other fiber types, wool is only found in few homes.
Pros
- Naturally flame resistant (may not support a flame, like human hair)
- Resistant to mild acids
- Excellent soil hiding characteristics (Needs cleaning long before it looks dirty)
- Flexible, strong, resilient
- Easily dyed (think easily stained!)
Cons
- Expensive
- Easily dyed (think easily stained!)
- Static at low humidity
- Some bugs love to eat wool
- Excessive alkalinity will cause fiber degradation (Think left over residue from cleaning agents)
Source: Zerorez
- Nylon
Nylon is the most durable synthetic fiber carpet material available. It is also stain-resistant and easy to clean. However, nylon can be more expensive than other synthetic fiber carpet materials.
Pros
- Durability: Nylon is known for its exceptional durability and resistance to wear and tear, making it suitable for high-traffic areas.
- Stain Resistance: Many nylon carpets come with stain-resistant treatments that make them easy to clean and maintain.
- Wide Color Range: Nylon fibers can be dyed in a wide range of colors, offering endless design possibilities.
Cons
- Price: Nylon carpets tend to be more expensive than some other options.
Source: TC Matthews
Hopefully, these 3 common options are enough to help you reach a decision on which carpet fiber to use. If you need more help especially from a professional, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at Curlys Carpet Repair. Just give us a call by dialing the number listed below!
