Well, STAINMASTER™ was simply the brand name for the highest quality nylon fiber in the marketplace.
The exceptional fiber known as nylon 6,6 is the reason for our famous STAINMASTER® performance.
Durability. Both nylon and polyester rate well for strength and durability. But when we make a direct comparison, nylon is stronger and stretchier than polyester, meaning garments made from nylon should last longer. Nylon falls down slightly when it comes to abrasion resistance.
STAINMASTER® carpet is made exclusively of STAINMASTER® Type 6,6, nylon fiber, the strongest and most resilient carpet fiber available. STAINMASTER® carpet with STAINMASTER® Type nylon 6,6 fiber stands up to household traffic and looks better longer than any other type of carpet.
StainMaster
Available exclusively at Lowe's, StainMaster is one of the best carpet brands for quality carpet on a budget, with prices starting under $2 per square foot.
Nylon carpets on the otherhand have colour dye injected into the fibre at high temperatures and offer the “solution dyed” feature. This makes them a lot more resistant to staining and fading. Winner: Nylon is harder to stain and oil repelling, however polypropylene is less moisture absorbent.
Polyester webbing, on the other hand, is less elastic and has a slightly rougher texture compared to nylon. It appears less shiny and feels stiffer.
And just like a nylon carpet, a polyester carpet offers very good stain resistance and long-lasting durability. All this makes a polyester carpet an overall quality carpet choice for installation in any part of your home, including bathrooms, stairs, living rooms, bedrooms and basements.
Polyester, while popular for its durability, is notorious for locking in sweat and bacteria which can lead to discomfort and even skin irritations. Nylon goes a step further by holding onto odors and increasing the risk of chafing when you move around in the sweltering heat.
On April 22, 2021, Lowe's and Invista announced the sale of the Stainmaster brand (and all of its support brands like PetProtect) to Lowe's. Wow! After 38 years of being the go-to quality carpet brand (no, it's not a carpet brand but consumers thought it was), Stainmaster will become a Lowe's store brand.
Nylon carpet offers a variety of benefits, including durability, stain resistance, softness, and versatility. However, it also has its drawbacks, such as cost, susceptibility to fading, static electricity, and environmental concerns.
Stainmaster uses one of the highest quality materials for its carpeting, Nylon 6.6. It's reinforced with Teflon – yes, that's the same material you'll find on your pans, the product that helps repel grease and grime.
The more fibers, the heavier the weight and the better the carpet quality. Density: The number of fibers in a pile. The more fibers, the denser the pile, and the higher the carpet quality. Height: The length of the wear layer of the carpet, measured from the top of the pile to the top of the backing.
Polyester carpeting generally lasts between 5 and 15 years in most homes. Depending on the construction/quality, the amount of wear your carpet gets and how you've maintained it over the years will ultimately determine its longevity.
Polyester is a synthetic material, like nylon, that is an excellent option for those with allergies. It is less expensive than nylon, but in turn, not as durable. It is also important to note that both fibers are hypoallergenic, making them the perfect option for allergies.
By closely examining the fibre, you will be able to determine the exact material whether it is nylon, polyester, olefin, etc. You can tell a carpet is made up of nylon when you burn the strand and it turns blue at the base and orange at the tip with no smoke (except when extinguished).
Nylons are the most expensive fiber to produce in a factory. The raw materials cost about 30% or more than polyester fibers. This results in most nylons costing north of 30% more in cost.
While not as soft as nylon or polyester, its stain-resistant and durable nature makes it a solid choice for areas prone to spills and dirt. Wool: A natural champion of hardest wearing carpets, wool boasts impressive resilience and stain resistance.
As noted about their many similarities, both polyester and nylon are strong and due to their polymer (plastic) based construct, they are notably lightweight. On the strength of material and durability front, Nylon would take the edge as it is the stronger of the two fabrics, and with much greater ability to stretch.
Overall, no differences were found in odor intensity between nylon and polyester. Any differences found between the two fabrics were likely dependent on the individual who wore the fabric.
Nylon Carpet's Disadvantages
Firstly, it's generally more expensive than other synthetic fibers, though still cheaper than natural materials like wool. Nylon carpets can hold static electricity, which can be annoying in dry environments. An anti-static coating is available but adds to the cost.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of polyester carpet is that it's generally less expensive than nylon carpet. This is primarily because it's often made from recycled materials.
Nylon carpeting is resistant to wear and tear, and it also holds up well against foot traffic. It is also easy to clean and maintain. Other carpet fibers, such as polyester and olefin, are also fairly durable, but they are not as tough as nylon.