The Spruce / Michela Buttignol
Nylon and polyester are two of the most popular materials in thesynthetic carpet fibermarket.
Your needs, environment, and budget will determine which one is best for you.
Lets examine some of the key differences between nylon and polyester carpets.
The Spruce / Michela Buttignol
Durability
One of the biggest considerations in any carpet purchase is over the carpet’s durability.
Nylon carpet fiberis well-known as being very durable.
The secret to nylons durability lies in its resiliencyits ability to literally bounce back from compaction.
Polyester is generally considered to be a less durable fiber than nylon.
As always, when comparing two different carpets, be sure that they are of equivalent quality.
Stain Resistance
When it comes tostain resistance, polyester comes out ahead of nylon.
Polyester is a hydrophobic fiber, which means that the fiber itself repels liquid.
By contrast, nylon is very absorbent, so it soaks in liquid and thereforespills.
All residential carpets on the market today feature some stain protection.
Both polyester and nylon carpets are treated to help prevent spills from setting in andstaining the fibers.
Even though nylon on its own isless stain-resistantthan polyester, nylon carpet that has been treated can be stain-resistant.
Solution dyeing dramatically increases the stain resistanceand fade resistanceof nylon.
Unfortunately, not many residential nylons are solution-dyed, due to the logistics of manufacturing.
Shaws ClearTouch and Mohawks Continuum are two popular collections made from this recycled fiber.
In recent years, much advancement has been made in improving the eco-friendliness of nylon fiber.
Also, an increasing number of nylon carpets are now made from recycled content.
Both nylon and polyester carpets can beeco-friendly.
Cost
Another determining factor in selecting a carpet is the cost.
Again, this is comparing two carpets of equivalent quality; lower-priced nylons and higher-priced polyesters exist.
Generally, nylon is a more expensive fiber.
Nylon vs. Polyester?
As you could see, neither fiber comes out as the clear winner.
Each has its benefits, as well as its drawbacks.
If budget is your biggest concern, then you will probably want to choose a polyester carpet.
