Carpet is one of the most important elements in decorating your home.  It can help create a comfortable atmosphere and enhance your home furnishings.  Nothing compares to the soft luxurious feeling under your feet as well as protecting you from a fall.  It does require more maintenance than tile, wood or vinyl flooring but nothing compares to the sound absorption of a good quality carpet. Carpeting is the third largest investment the average homeowner makes.  In years past, a carpet was considered a decorative addition. Now it’s one of the basic building materials that help determine the home value.  There are many considerations in choosing the perfect carpet fiber for your home.

Different Types of Fibers:

  • Nylon Man-made would be the best choice for heavy traffic. If you have a high traffic area, then nylon would be an ideal choice due to the durability. Nylon is stain resistant as well, and repels mildew.   Nylon is utilized in approximately 65% of the carpet sold in the U.S.  It is a very durable fiber with excellent performance characteristics. Its strengths include good resiliency.  Most nylon is treated with an anti-static treatment to reduce static. Continuous filament fibers minimize pilling and shedding.
  • Polyester is another good carpet as it is easy to clean and repels water based stains.  Polyester fiber produces some of the most beautiful colorations available.   Polyester is known for the look and feel of wool and it is non-allergenic, sheds moisture and resists moths and mildew at a lower cost than wool or nylon.
  • Wool the highest quality of carpet you can buy but also the most expensive.  Although it is naturally stain resistant, it requires a high level of maintenance including mothproofing. Most wool products manufactured in the U.S. have been permanently mothproofed. While it’s still extremely popular for rugs, it accounts for less than 1% of the fiber used in carpet.
  • Polypropylene-(olefin) Carpet Fibers another synthetic carpet fiber its strengths include superior stain resistance, with the exception of oil-based stains, and low cost.  Olefin makes up about 30 % of the fiber used in U.S. carpet manufacturing today.

Before you buy, make sure you are paying for density. Dig your fingers into the pile. If they reach the backing quickly, the carpet isn’t packed densely enough with fibers.  Look for tight tuft twists. Lower-priced carpets will have loose tuft twists in the fibers.  Carpet density ranges from 1000-7000. For homes you plan on living in for a while, you’ll want a density rating 2000 or greater. Carpets provide a comfortable place to sit, play or work and give a room an overall warmer feeling.  Carpets will maintain its life and beauty for many years to come when you know how to choose the right fibers for your home.