Nylon carpet outperforms polyester carpet on durability. Polyester outperforms nylon on stain resistance and its generally less expensive as well. Both offer a nice looking appearance and they both are soft and comfortable to the touch.
Durability: Nylon is stronger than polyester, but both fabrics are extremely durable. Comfortable/Softness: This is a matter of some debate, but usually, nylon is lighter, silkier, and softer than polyester. Water Resistance: Polyester does not absorb water, while nylon does in small amounts.
NYLON CARPET FIBER
Nylon is a synthetic carpet fiber, and it is the number ONE choice for both residential and commercial carpet! Although nylon is the strongest (most durable) of all carpet fibers, it can still feel very soft underfoot!
Nylon is considered the most durable carpet material (although some say Smartstrand gives it a run for its money). Polyester leaves something to be desired in the durability department. It tends to crush and show wear after a few years in high-traffic areas.
It's a soft fiber that doesn't last well under foot traffic. It eventually mats down or crushes, and this makes carpet look more worn out than anything. If you have a decent amount of traffic (any main living area or area with kids), don't buy polyester and expect it to last much more than 5 years.
One of the major problems with Nylon is that it is acid dyed and not solution-dyed. This can create problems with fading, bleaching and urine reactions etc.
Wool is often considered the best choice for a living room carpet. Its hardwearing qualities – and softness underfoot – make it resistant to being compressed by furniture and footsteps. If you are after extra durability, then look no further than a blend of 80% wool with 20% nylon or other fibres such as polypropylene.
Wool: Wool has long been used in carpet manufacturing and is still recognized as the best fiber for carpet. It has a luxury feel and a low propensity to soil. It is also naturally flame-retardant. Wool is resilient, soft and warm, and retains its appearance.
Polyester as a carpet fiber has several advantages. Polyester carpeting is inherently stain resistant, and it definitely outperforms both nylon and wool in this regard. Additionally, polyester carpeting is very soft and also significantly less expensive than either nylon or wool.
Nylon and polyester are both synthetic fabrics, but nylon production is more expensive, which results in a higher price for the consumer. Nylon also tends to be more durable and weather-resistant, which is why it is more likely to be used in outdoor apparel or gear.
Nylon is another excellent choice for winter coats. Made entirely from synthetic materials, this versatile fabric has a number of characteristics that make it an excellent material for winter wear.
Polyester fiber carpets can shed individual fibers. They may also be susceptible to pilling, in which loose fibers become entangled with each other and form little particles on the surface. You might choose polyester carpet when you're looking for a short-term carpet.
Less Durable: Besides many benefits that polyester has to offer, it lacks in durability. Typically, polyester can last between 5 and 15 years in mid traffic areas.
Polyester (PET) Carpet Fiber
Polyester is known for its luxurious look, feel, and wonderful selection of bright, bold colors and styles. Many of the super-soft carpet introductions feature polyester fiber. These carpet styles are ideal for lower traffic areas such as bedrooms, offices, or TV rooms.
Carpets made from nylon can last up to five years if the traffic is light. A nylon carpet of mid to high quality can last between 12 to 15 years if in a low traffic area. Olefin may have the appearance of wool, but this synthetic fiber used for creating carpets is polypropylene.
Polyester carpeting is a synthetic fibers option that provides better stain resistance and durability than wool carpet or other natural fiber alternatives. Although it is a more eco-friendly option than nylon carpet, it might not be the best carpet selection for high-traffic areas in your home.
3 Types of Carpet Styles
Carpets are made of fibers that are cut, looped or cut and looped. Although there are several different subcategories of carpet styles, all fall within one of these three groups.
Plush carpeting is also called texture carpeting and often uses two tones of fibers in a twisted, cut pile construction. This style is great at hiding dirt and feels soft and comfortable. It's a common choice for bedrooms as well as family rooms and dens.
In general, the higher the number of stitches per inch, the higher the quality and the greater the durability of the carpet. Face weight, expressed in ounces per square yard, measures the yarn's face fiber. For high quality carpet, face weight is typically 32 ounces per square yard or higher.
As a general guide, neutral carpets work best in modest-sized living rooms, as pale colours make the space seem larger. You can make a spacious living room feel cosy and inviting by fitting a dark carpet. Reds and browns work particularly well.
As neutral tones in carpets go, beige very often stands as the top choice. To get the most out of it consider that the underlying colour is somewhat warm. Cool tones in your wall and furniture are best to offset this, ensuring the room becomes a true neutral.
There are many features of nylon that make it an ideal choice for carpet fiber. Of key importance is its durability. Nylon is a very strong fiber, and as such, it stands up very well to abrasion. It is also highly resilient and has very good texture retention to maintain its original appearance.
Higher Cost
To be fair, nylon is actually quite affordable. But when compared to other synthetic carpets, it does have a slightly higher price point.
Nylon carpets are very easy to clean with effective cleaning agents. But do not use carpet cleaners with high alkaline content as it may cause your nylon carpet to lose its ability to resist stains. Ensure that the cleaning agents you use have a pH lower than 10 to avoid decreasing the carpet's stain resistance.
One of the major drawbacks of polyester carpet is that it lacks durability as compared to nylon. Generally, polyester carpeting is best for lower traffic areas of your home. It's sure to be ideal for a guest room or study with low traffic or other areas of the home with little to no traffic.