Choosing the right carpet fiber

Durability depends on the three important factors: fiber type, yarn twist, pile height and density. Choosing a carpet based on any one these factors can be misleading. It's important to select the right balance of all three. Appearance retention refers to how much of the original appearance is retained after use. This is affected by many factors referred to above.

Nylon- The most widely used of the synthetic fibers. Its many attributes combine to provide outstanding durability and performance. Nylon fibers have the best resilience qualities and will hold their shape best out of all fibers over time. This translates into the best appearance retention. Nylons are very suited to high traffic areas. Nylon carpets do tend to stain easier, however with the appropriate stain guard protection; this should not be a concern.

Polyester - Less expensive than nylon, polyester offers exceptional softness and color clarity, and it offers better stain resistance than nylon. Polyester fiber is not as resilient as nylon, but is very luxurious looking, and is best suited to formal rooms that do not receive heavy traffic.

Olefin- This is the least expensive of all the fibers. Olefin is naturally stain, fade, mold and mildew resistant. This is a solution dyed yarn, which means that the color is inherent in the fiber. This is the only fiber that can be cleaned with a mild bleach-water solution. Olefin is the most stain resistant of all the fibers; however has the lowest resilience, which makes them least suited to plush carpet construction and perfect for Berbers. Most commercial and indoor/outdoor level loop carpets are constructed from olefin. Berber carpets constructed from olefin offer unsurpassed value for high traffic areas.

Wool- A luxurious natural fiber, wool carpets do not offer the same durability and resilience as man-made fibers, but they do age gracefully. Wool is not exceptionally stain or soil resistant, although it cleans well. Wool is the most expensive carpet fiber and represents less than one percent of carpet sales.