Carpet Fibre Types: What's the difference?
Posted April 13, 2023
Carpet. It’s something we all tread on daily but often don’t give much thought to. It’s in our homes, our workplaces and so many of the places we visit often. It provides warmth, comfort, insulation and even noise reduction! Carpet typically covers 70% of the floors in our homes and with so many options when it comes to fibre, cut and colour, it can be hard to choose! Let’s delve deeper into the different fibre types you can choose from for your carpet: Polyester & Polypropylene, Solution Dyed Nylon and Wool.
Polyester & Polypropylene Carpet
Relatively new to the market, polyester and polypropylene carpets are growing in popularity due to their affordable price point. Manufactured using PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) chips which are made from recycled plastic containers; it is environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic. With a reputation for being exceptionally soft and incredibly stain and fade resistant it certainly has its strengths. The soft feel of polyester and polypropylene carpets provide a sense of luxury underfoot as well as a cosy ambience. Compared to nylon and wool carpets however, polyester and polypropylene does not always perform as well in its appearance retention and long term durability. High traffic areas can wear much quicker and “matting” can also occur if the carpet is not properly maintained. Because of these factors, these carpet fibres may not be deemed the best choice for you or your home. We always advise having a chat to our helpful and knowledgeable team who can help you determine the best type of carpet for your space, dependant on your lifestyle and needs.
Classic Choice Polyester Carpet by Belgotex in colour Atlantic.
Solution Dyed Nylon Carpet
Known for being extremely hardwearing while still retaining softness underfoot, solution dyed nylon carpet has established itself as the go to choice in carpet for many, especially those with children and pets. Nylon was invented in 1935 by Wallace Hume Carothers who was the head of research at DuPont. In the mid 1950’s, DuPont began producing nylon suitable for carpeting and by 1959 introduced BCF (bulk continuous filament) nylon which revolutionised the carpet industry. Ever since then, solution dyed nylon carpet has continued to be an affordable option that offers durability, fade resistance and low maintenance. One of the biggest benefits of nylon carpet is its excellence in appearance retention, meaning it will maintain its original appearance for a very long period of time; some nylon carpets will last up to 15 years before needing replacing! If you have floor to ceiling windows, particularly those that are north facing, nylon carpet is likely your best bet! As already mentioned, we strongly recommend talking to one our team who can talk you through the carpet options best suited for your unique home and lifestyle.
Pleasant Point Solution Dyed Nylon Carpet by Godfrey Hirst in colour Pravda.
Wool Carpet
With a reputation for natural luxury, wool carpet has made a comeback in recent years! Cosy, warm and soft underfoot, it is a premium product that is extremely hardwearing due to its natural resilience, unlike some synthetic fibres. Made from natural fibres, it is known to be an environmentally friendly choice that is both dirt and odour resistant. A perceived downside of wool is that it will naturally shed in the short term. This can be alarming at first but this initial concern is usually short lived when homeowners quickly discover that any initial “shedding” soon disappears and uncovers the beautiful natural wool fibre that offers excellent long term appearance retention. Another thing to keep in mind if considering wool carpet for your home is that darker colours tend to fade more noticeably in direct sunlight, if you have large windows, make sure you think about protection from direct sunlight when choosing your carpet.
Kensho Wool Carpet by Bremworth continues to be a favourite with our customers. Images features colour Rested.
There are a range of options available when it comes to carpet fibres, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Although loving the aesthetics of your carpet is very important, it should certainly not be the only thing you consider when choosing carpet for your home. Durability, appearance retention, maintenance as well as stain and fade resistance are all very important points to discuss and think about when selecting carpet – polyester and polypropylene, solution dyed nylon and wool all vary in what they offer in these areas. If you have carpet questions or would like to discuss your options, come in and see us, our team will be more than happy to help and answer your burning carpet questions!