Nylon and polyester carpets are synthetic and most often found in homes. Price, durability, the environment, and preference for softness are usually the determining factors in choosing between the two. Let's compare some differences to help you choose between nylon or polyester carpets.

Durability

One of the most crucial aspects of looking for a carpet is its durability. It should withstand heavy day-to-day use and look aesthetically pleasing for up to 10 years.

Nylon carpeting is known for its durability and is a popular synthetic carpet fiber. Nylon is resilient, which means it can bounce back quickly from compression when it is configured right.

Polyester can also be durable if configured right and present a better value. Polyester is less resilient than nylon and may or may not be suitable for stairs or areas of extreme foot traffic.

It is worth noting that both nylon and polyester carpets are available in a wide range of qualities. When comparing two different carpets, make sure they have similar attributes.

Stain Resistance

Traditionally polyester carpet has always been more stain resistant than nylon. However, modern advancements in stain technology have leveled the playing field. Most carpets today (nylon or polyester) come with a lifetime stain warranty which covers most, if not all, pet stains and typical household food and beverage stains.

They surface-dye some nylon, meaning the color is just on the surface and can be susceptible to fading over time. However, the nylon that they solution-dye penetrates through the fiber. Solution-dying makes it stain and fade-resistant, and the color lasts much longer. Fortunately, they solution-dye many residential nylon products today to compete with the ever-emerging polyester market.

Eco-Friendliness

Polyester PET is an environmentally friendly material often constructed from recycled materials such as plastic bottles. Two manufacturers have popular collections made from this recycled fiber, Karastan's EverStrand™ and Shaw's ClearTouch.

In recent years, there has been considerable advancement in enhancing nylon fiber's eco-friendliness. Numerous nylon carpets are now recyclable at the end of their life, helping to keep them out of landfills where they would otherwise sit indefinitely. Recycling nylon carpets back into nylon carpets is the perfect example of a cradle-to-cradle product with considerable environmental advantages.

Nylon and polyester carpets can both be eco-friendly. Be careful, though, because only some carpets have these features. Make sure to read the manufacturer's labels and talk to your Flooring Consultant about which carpets are environmentally friendly.

Softness

Softness is frequently the main reason people prefer carpeting over a hard-surface floor. Back in the day, polyester outperformed nylon. However, most of today's carpet is softer than ever before. The feel of one fiber type and the other is similar due to the production of carpet fiber in slimmer, finer strands. Nylon and polyester carpets both offer several styles with plush fibers. One example is Fabrica's nylon carpets, the Mercedes-Benz of the bunch. They are magnificently soft and will add something priceless to your house.

Cost

Many considerations factor into the purchase of a carpet, including price. Generally speaking, nylon is the most expensive synthetic fiber to produce. So, a nylon carpet will typically cost more than a comparable polyester one. Here again, this is comparing two carpets of the same quality. There are cheaper nylons and more expensive polyesters available. While this may be true, nylon is generally more expensive than polyester.

Nylon or Polyester Carpet

There is no clear winner; each fiber has its benefits and drawbacks. Whatever you can or can't decide on, Creative Carpet & Flooring's knowledgeable Flooring Consultants are trained to help you find the proper solution for your budget while meeting or exceeding your project performance expectations.