Nylon vs. Polyester Carpet – What is Better? 

Last Updated on January 3, 2023

Nylon vs. Polyester Carpet: Other synthetic carpet fibers are available, but nylon and polyester are the most widely used. Your needs, environment, and budget will determine your best choice. Let’s look at some critical differences between nylon and polyester rugs.

Nylon Carpet 

Nylon Carpet 
Polyamide fiber

Polyamide fiber, the most common for the production of carpets, is the most expensive synthetic material. Its properties are listed at the molecular level: elasticity, wear resistance, and antistatic (in branded fibers). It is well-painted, allowing you to choose from various colors. The properties of the fiber allow the use of different ways of processing yarn and pile and, accordingly, the creation of various textures.

Polyester Carpet 

Polyester Carpet 
Polyester fiber carpet

Polyester fiber, in its properties, is as close as possible to nylon but cheaper to manufacture. Polyester can be either glossy or matte, depending on the additives used. Recently, it has become widely used in hand-knitted long pile carpets. The abundance of polyester yarn of different textures allows you to create new textures in long pile carpets. Thanks to the latest fiber processing technologies, the polyester pile will not cause any hassle when cleaning.

Nylon vs. Polyester Carpet – What Are the Differences? 

When choosing a new carpet, you may wonder how nylon and polyester differ. Both materials have advantages and disadvantages, so making an informed choice is essential. The primary distinctions between nylon and polyester carpeting are as follows:

Nylon vs. Polyester Carpet

To create nylon, coal, and petroleum are used as raw materials. Compared to polyester, it bears up better underfoot use and is more long-lasting. Highly used areas like corridors and living rooms can benefit from its stain- and fade-resistance. 

Additionally, nylon is simple to clean and does not discolor easily. Another synthetic fiber, polyester, is made from recycled materials like plastic bottles. Polyester carpets are less durable than nylon ones, but they are more comfortable to walk on. 

They’re also static-free, making them a better option for allergy sufferers. On the other hand, polyester carpets are more difficult to clean than nylon ones but cost less to buy.

Compare Nylon and Polyester Carpet – What is Better Nylon or Polyester Carpet??

In terms of durability, nylon perform better than polyester. Because of its elasticity, or capacity to “bounce back,” nylon carpeting has a long lifespan. In contrast to nylon carpet, polyester carpet lacks this tenacity and frequently shows signs of wear due to foot traffic. There are some FAQ regarding this two material you should have a look here.

What Should I Know Before Buying a Carpet?

Before buying a new carpet, consider the space you need to cover. A mock is not a folder. Moquette covers the surface from wall to wall and sticks it to the floor, whereas the folder only covers the space without touching the walls and is not attached to the floor with glue.

 Carpet
Carpet: Shutterstock

While it is very attractive to have carpet all over the floor, remember that carpet gets dirtier in areas where it is constantly used, giving the carpet a worn and uneven look. Rugs or folders have the advantage that they can be taken out whenever you want and sent for cleaning or rolled up and put away.

Always read their care and warranty recommendations. Certain measures may void the warranty. Here is some more information to remember when choosing a new rug.

Color

  • A neutral-colored rug can make your home feel complete. Smaller rugs in crowded or public areas can add flair and hide dirt or stains.
  • A multi-colored, patterned, or textured carpet will have less dirt than a smooth one with softer backing.
  • When making a carpet, color can be added at various stages of production: into the fiber before spinning, into the yarn, or after the carpet has been stuffed or woven. Solution-dyed carpet fibers have a dye or stain already absorbed during the manufacture of the fiber. This type of carpet is more resistant to chemical cleaners than carpets dyed by other methods. It probably is if the label indicates that the fiber has been solution-dyed.
  • Some printed carpets and rugs, such as Oriental rugs, are dyed after being printed or woven. You can see how deep the dye penetrates if you carefully inspect them. These rugs and carpets are often less expensive than those dyed by other methods. However, they may be less resistant to fading due to weather and cleaning products.

Fiber

  • Commercial advertisements for carpets often highlight the fiber content of the face, such as nylon, polyester, olefins, acrylic, wool, or cotton. Carpet sellers mention carpet weight, which refers to the amount of fiber on the surface, measured in ounces per square yard. The carpet’s durability depends not only on the fiber content and weight but also on the carpet’s structure.
  • Nylon makes up about 60 percent of the face fiber used to make carpets annually. Other fibers include olefins (33 percent), polyester (7 percent), and wool (0.4 percent).
  • Nylon facial fibers are strong, resilient, and inherently water resistant. Water stains are easily removed with an absorbent cloth or disposable towels. Usually, wiping with a damp cloth is enough to remove the stain. Nylon can be treated to reduce static electricity, or the factory can add fluorine or charcoal to improve stain resistance. Other finishes added during installation may not be beneficial due to the nylon’s resistance to water stains.
  • Olefin fibers are often used in indoor and outdoor carpets because they are water-resistant, resilient, and abrasive. However, they are not resistant to oils and heat (hot oil in bacon can melt the fibers).
  • Polyester fiber rugs are strong but slightly less resilient than nylon fiber rugs.
  • Acrylic fibers are very similar to wool fibers and are less expensive but more easily shredded than more resilient wool fibers. However, some people are allergic to wool.

Carpet Pile

  • The carpet’s height refers to the length of yarn or wool from the base of the warp to the surface of the carpet.
  • The density of the hair refers to how close the stitches are to the stuffing. Fold the carpet sample in half to better see the height and density. The yarn or wool of the carpet opens up at the surface to cover a larger surface than it covers underneath. When the padding stitches fit snugly together, the yarn or wool is supported against each other, improving the carpet’s appearance, strength, and durability.
  • Almost all commercial rugs have a short, dense pile. It feels less soft and soft on the feet and leaves fewer marks than the taller rugs often used in the home. Berber rugs are loops of thick yarn or wool that look like house wool but can be made from nylon, olefin, or a mixture of fibers.
  • The texture or style of the pile affects the appearance of the rug: a straight loop, an uneven loop, a velvety or plush cut, or a cut loop (with the top of the loops cut off). In a fleecy rug, the pads are farther apart. Wool or yarn in Saxon and Frisian carpets has more loops. The wool in frieze rugs is so twisted that it won’t stand still. These rugs are heat treated to keep the wool twisted.
  • The warp of most carpets consists of a loop on the warp, which is often backed by polypropylene which acts as a moisture barrier. The adhesive material, usually latex foam, holds the wool or yarn together, while the secondary backing provides more stability. This second backing can be made from polypropylene, jute, or polyurethane foam.

Special Finish

For increasing stain protection, carpets might receive specific treatment. Trade names for some of these finishes include Honeywell Worry Free, BASF Scotchgard Stain Release, Dupont Stainmaster, and Solutia Pet-Agreement. The use of trademarks changes as companies joins and change ownership. Search the Internet or informational materials to find the correct trademark.

Cost and Installation

  • To determine how much wall-to-wall carpet will cost, be sure to include the cost of all carpets needed plus the cost of laying and installation.
  • A cheap gasket can serve you just as well as an expensive one. For example, polyurethane pads can last up to 10 years under nylon carpet if not subjected to heavy wear.
  • Most carpet sellers will take measurements for free and provide you with a quote. The recommended number of yards of carpet will often exceed the number of square yards of carpeting, as most carpets are 12 feet wide and may not cover a room. On the other hand, to maintain the good appearance of the carpet, it must be laid, taking into account the direction of the wool or threads. Vendors or designers consider the additional amount of carpet they will require to match the design when calculating carpet yards. Make sure whoever installs the carpet is aware of these details. Otherwise, the carpet may develop seams in high-traffic areas, which is not recommended as the carpet tends to shrink in the wash, and the seams will show even more.

Choosing Carpet for Different Rooms

Below we will give recommendations to help you buy high-quality and stylish coverage. It will become a link to the entire interior and help create a cozy and light atmosphere.

How to Choose a Carpet for Living Room: We Focus on Furniture

When decorating areas in a guest room, it is important to consider not so much the beauty and convenience of the coating as its compatibility with furniture and other interior items.

  • The carpet should be wider than the sofa and cover the entire sofa area.
  • If you have bright furniture, choose a plain, discreet model. Try to match its color with the most saturated shade of the furniture.
  • To create a sense of completeness, match decorative elements to the color of the carpet. Sofa cushions, curtains, vases, or a blanket, made in the same range with a coating, form a single finished space.
  • Ideal combination: Ideal combination is when the coating is one tone lighter or darker than the floor shade.
  • Refrain from letting the wall color steal your attention. Otherwise, everything will merge and be perceived as a single spot.
  • If the furniture has a pattern, plain products will do. If you prefer a drawing, you should make it in the same geometry as the furniture. For example, if the upholstery with the image of flowers (rounded shapes) is on the sofa, then soft, smooth lines should also be on the carpet.
  • To understand what size carpet will fit into the interior, take the colored tape and cover the desired area.
  • Think over all the options for arranging guests on armchairs, sofas, and chairs. They must place their feet on the floor.

How to Choose a Carpet for Bedroom

In the restroom, the carpet is usually laid in the bedside area. With it, create a “warm path” around the bed just because polyester a warm material. We’ll explain the proper procedure to you.

  • If you plan to put the bed on the product, ensure it protrudes at least 40 cm beyond it.
  • Choose small area rugs for small rooms where the bed takes up most of the space. Usually, a person sits 50 cm from the pillow. They must cover this part of the floor. Based on this indicator, buy the best length option.
  • It is in the bedroom that long-haired models are suitable. We spend less time in it than in the living room or kitchen, so we can not be afraid of difficulties in cleaning.

How to Choose a Carpet for Kids: the Main Selection Criteria

Children spend a lot of time on the floor and are in direct contact with the coating, so the main requirement for it is safety.

  • Keep in mind that the children’s carpet will have to be changed as the child grows up: at least 3-4 times. Therefore, you should buy something other than an initially expensive option. Better pay attention to its performance characteristics: ease of cleaning and antistatic.
  • Refrain from buying products with a dense and long pile. They feel good to touch, but they collect dust, which can lead to allergies. Also, small toys are often lost in a pile, and they are easy to miss and get hurt.
  • Choose synthetics over natural fibers. Synthetic materials are also environmentally friendly but hypoallergenic and resistant to pollution.

How to Choose a Carpet for Kitchen

With the expediency of covering the floor in the kitchen, everyone determines for himself. Usually, with a carpet, an additional heat source is created if the floor is tiled and the room is zoned into the working and dining areas. We recommend buying a synthetic carpet made of nylon or propylene with a short pile. They are affordable and simple to maintain. 

We have provided an overview of the variety of carpets available. Although the carpet is an element of decor, pay attention not to beauty but to functionality. Operational features, in this case, should be a priority, and only aesthetic appeal. So you will avoid unnecessary expenses that will arise when changing poor-quality coverage.

How to Care for Your Carpet

  • If heavy furniture is placed on the carpet, you need to move it a couple of centimeters from time to time so as not to crush it.
  • The carpet should be rotated clockwise every six months so that household members walk on other carpet areas; the coating will last longer.
  • Vacuum the carpet once a day, but areas that are “boiling with life” more often, as the dirt can destroy the fibers.
  • You can clean the carpet. You should perform this operation at least once a year.
  • If the liquid is spilled on the carpet, it is enough to remove moisture with a paper towel or soft cloth. We can remove heavy soiling with any shampoo suitable for synthetic carpets.

Which is Better, Nylon or Polyester Carpet?

In terms of durability, nylon outperforms polyester. Because of its elasticity, or capacity to “bounce back,” nylon carpeting has a long lifespan. In contrast to nylon carpet, polyester carpet lacks this tenacity and frequently shows signs of wear due to foot traffic.

FAQ

Q: is Nylon or Polyester Carpet Softer?

Compared to nylon carpet, polyester carpet is softer. Walking barefoot on it is more comfortable than walking barefoot on a nylon carpet.

Q: How to Tell if the Carpet is Nylon or Polyester

A burn test can determine a carpet’s composition, which may appear strange but is quite effective. Burning a little piece of carpet with a lighter is an option.

When burned, a nylon strand will turn blue at the core and orange at the tip but produce no smoke (except when extinguished). When a flame dies out, it leaves behind a grey or brown hard round bead with a waxy aroma.

On the other hand, a polyester carpet will sputter and drip after a burn test, emitting an orange flame and black smoke. When burned, the fiber forms a solid, glossy bead with a sweet smell.

Q: is Polyester Carpet Cheaper Than Nylon?

Nylon is the most expensive synthetic material to produce than polyester, which reflects why nylon carpets are typically more expensive. Keep in mind that we are comparing carpets of similar quality, as there are both cheaper nylons and more expensive polyesters.

Conclusion

Carpeting is commonly made of nylon and polyester. When used as carpeting, each substance has its benefits and drawbacks. 

Nylon is an excellent option for households with pets and kids because it is long-lasting and resistant to stains. Although it can be more expensive than polyester, it is also easy to clean and maintain. Although polyester is less expensive and easier to set up than nylon, it is less durable.

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