Which carpet is right for you?

Gary from Flooring First Taupō

There are four basic fibres that are used to manufacture carpets today, 3 of which are man made fibres. All have unique qualities and strengths, and all make excellent carpets. Ultimately though, your choice should be determined by the characteristics that are most important to you and your home.

Polyester
Exceptionally Stain & Fade-Resistant, Soft, & Budget-Friendly

Polyester offers exceptional softness and colour clarity and is also naturally stain and fade resistant. If you need stain-resistance, this is your carpet!

While not as inherently resilient as nylon, polyester carpets will perform well if constructed well. So, choose a polyester carpet with a higher pile and medium-high density to ensure maximum appearance retention and long-term wear. As a general rule though we would not recommend Polyester for high traffic areas.

Polypropylene
Colour Fast, Naturally Stain Resistant, Economical

Polypropylene is one of the most colourfast fibres on the market. Unlike the other fibre types, polypropylene will not absorb water and must be solution dyed to impart colour. Solution dyeing is a pigmentation process in which colour is built into the fibre when it is formed, thereby becoming an inherent part of the fibre. The colour will not fade, even when exposed to intense sunlight, bleaches, or other harsh chemicals. However, since it is not as resilient as other fibres, polypropylene is better suited to low-profile loop (Berber) carpets in which there is less need for superior resiliency.

Polypropylene carpets work well anywhere you need fade and stain resistance – in rooms with strong sunlight, indoor/outdoor rooms, kitchens, children’s bedrooms and basements.

Solution Dyed Nylon (SDN)
Durable, Resilient & Versatile

Nylon is generally more expensive than other synthetic carpet fibres and is the most commonly used carpet fibre today. Nylon is the most versatile of all fibres, providing flexibility in creating a variety of carpet styles – from sumptuous plush to fashion-forward patterns to low-maintenance loop (Berber). Its strengths include good resiliency, good yarn memory to hold twist, good stain resistance with stain treatment applied, good soil hiding ability, and good abrasion resistance. It is the strongest fibre, making it an excellent choice for heavy traffic areas, active households or commercial facilities.

So there you have it, the choice is yours and you now have a little more knowledge to assist in choosing your carpet.

Flooring First Taupo.
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Article courtesy of Puchers blog. puchers.com...