When it comes to Carpet, there are a number of styles and materials to choose from, but have no fear – we are here to help you navigate all the options to find the best Carpet for your lifestyle! This is a guide to help you navigate selecting your new Carpet by providing information about both natural and synthetic options. In this post we will be comparing the two most popular fiber options — nylon, which is a synthetic fiber; and wool, which is a natural fiber.
Durability
When choosing a Carpet for your space, it is very important to consider traffic levels. By traffic we mean how much “foot traffic” or movement will the space experience. Is it by a front or back door? Do you have added paws and claws that will frequent the space or chairs that will constantly be sliding in and out from under a table? A more durable carpet for a high-traffic area is built and structured differently than carpet ideal for a low-traffic area. Nylon and wool are great carpets for high traffic areas.
Nylon: Nylon is famous for its resiliency, which allows this strong fiber type to bounce back after being compressed. With nylon’s high resistance to wear, it a good option to consider for high-traffic areas.
Wool: Wool is a great choice for your high-traffic areas as well! It is known for being an extremely durable fiber that is soft to the touch. As an added bonus, wool is also naturally flame resistant.
Stain Resistant
Stains occur when empty dye sights — spots in the fiber that did not get colorant when dyed — are filled. Synthetic fibers are usually more stain resistant than natural fibers. With today’s technology, many Carpet manufacturers have found ways to increase the stain resistance of your Carpet, which is great news, because as we all know stains are the worst!
Nylon: Nylon Carpets have stain protection, often applied in the factory, making them extremely difficult to stain. Some nylon is solution dyed, meaning the color goes through the fiber leaving no empty dye sites, and this process increases its stain resistance as it cannot absorb stains.
Wool: Wool has excellent soil hiding and soil release properties making it a breeze to clean. However, because wool has good absorbency it can also be easily stained by red wine, juice, and other dyestuffs.
Pet and Kid Friendly
Carpet has often been seen as a reservoir for allergens that can trigger reactions, which makes choosing Carpet as a flooring option difficult for some. Taller piles tend to trap and release more allergens, so low-cut piles are a good option for allergy sufferers. Most synthetic fibers are naturally mold and mildew resistant, whereas natural fibers have hypoallergenic qualities that can improve your air quality.
Nylon: Nylon Carpets are nonabsorbent, making the Carpet resistant to mold and mildew. Nylon Carpets that have low-pile or short-cut fibers are a good option for allergy sufferers, as it is allergen free and easy to clean.
Wool: Wool Carpeting is hypoallergenic, making it a great option for allergy, asthma, and eczema sufferers, because the fibers serve as an air filter, trapping allergens such as dust and pollen in the pile.
When it comes to Carpet, both natural and synthetic Carpets provide great qualities, as well as drawbacks, depending on your lifestyle and preferences. We are here to help you navigate all your options, natural or synthetic, to provide the best Carpeting for your space and for your life! Schedule an appointment with one of our Flooring Experts today to learn about all the flooring options we have at Dalton Carpet One.
