Different Carpet Fibers

When manufacturing carpet flooring there are five basic fibers. They all have unique strengths and qualities and they all make excellent carpets. Your choice should be determined by the characteristics that you need for your home.

Here is a quick comparison of the different fibers. Most carpets are made from only one fiber, but there are some that are combinations.
 
It is important to pick the right type of carpet for your home or business. Let Quality Floors & More tell you everything you need to know to make a smart decision!

Wool

Wool is resilient, durable, comfortable, safer, and of course a renewable resource! Wool is naturally superior to synthetic fibers, as well as longer lasting, inherently flame retardant and resistant to dirt and crushing. Wool is the best of the best for carpeting in your home.

Style Options: Good
Color Options: Great
Soil Resistance: Great
Stain Resistance: Great
Texture Retention: Great

Nylon

Nylon is the most versatile of all the fibers. It provides excellent durability and flexibility in creating a ton of different carpet styles. For this reason, it is the most commonly used fiber for carpets.

Style Options: Great
Color Options: Great
Soil Resistance: Great
Stain Resistance: Great
Texture Retention: Great

Polyester

Polyester offers exceptional softness and color clarity, it is also naturally stain and fade resistant. One draw back is that polyester is not inherently strong or durable as nylon, but still a great choice for medium to low traffic areas for it’s comfort.

Style Options: Good
Color Options: Good
Soil Resistance: Fair
Stain Resistance: Great
Texture Retention: Good

PTT

PTT stands for Polytrimethylene Terephthalate and is a polyester fiber first created in 1941. PTT provides good resiliency and excellent stain resistance. Some manufacturers have begun applying a topical treatment to PTT carpets. While adequate for staining, this flooring still attracts dry and oily soil substances, leading to wear in high traffic areas. For this reason it can be difficult to remove oil-based stains.

Style Options: Fair
Color Options: Good
Soil Resistance: Fair
Stain Resistance: Great
Texture Retention: Good

Polypropylene

Polypropylene is rather unique because it does not absorb water. Since it can’t absorb water is has to be solution dyed a process that adds the color by making it a part of the fiber itself. This means the color will not fade even if exposed to very damaging things like bleaches or direct sunlight.

Style Options: Fair
Color Options: Fair
Soil Resistance: Poor
Stain Resistance: Great
Texture Retention: Fair