Best Carpet Discounts and Installation in California by Bigfoot CarpetMatching the right fiber with what you want out of a carpet is important. Although different fiber will perform differently, the most important thing is how well the carpet is constructed. “All and all, how a carpet is constructed determines how well it will perform,” said Steve Sieracki, vice president sales, Shaw Industries.

 

Most of the fiber used in carpet today is synthetic (about 90%).  The four most common synthetics are nylon, polyester, triexta (Smartstrand), and olefin.

Nylon

Nylon is credited with being the most resilient of the four fibers mentioned above.  Which means it is less prone to matting and crushing or it could be said that it has the best “texture retention.”  The downside of nylon is that is more prone to staining. “Stain and soil resist treatments do make nylon stain resistant, but wear off with repeated cleanings,” said Seth Arnold, brand director for Mohawk flooring.

Polyester

Although less resilient than nylon, PET has many advantages. “PET in the proper construction (high twist, narrower gauges) will perform well for most household needs,” said Mike McAllister, marketing director for Beaulieu Carpet.

 

PET fiber takes dye better than nylon thus giving it a brighter colors that are locked into the fiber. This means that it will have less tendency to fade over time.

 

Overall PET is more stain resistant than nylon. It has become the choice of many people who are more concerned about staining than resiliency. It is a great choice for people with small children or pets. It has also become very popular with property managers. In rental properties, carpet is usually replaced when stains can no longer be removed, not when it loses its resiliency. PET will hold up better against stains than nylon and it typically costs less.

Triexta or Smartstrand

Smartstrand has been shown in tests to have the best of both nylon and polyester. It is very durable and very stain resistant. “Mohawk has done extensive research and triexta got the best ratings for stain protection and performance,” said Seth Arnold.

Olefin or Polypropylene

Polypropylene is usually the least expensive fiber. It has poor texture retention and is usually used in level loop carpets like commercial carpet or level loop berbers. Since it has to be solution-dyed it does have the advantage of being extremely stain resistant.

 

Bigfoot Carpet in California has over four decades of experience helping valuable customers like you choose the perfect floor covering for your home. With our discounts of 40-70% off the regular retail price, we can beat any local quote or bid. Just bring the other guy’s bid into your nearest Bigfoot Carpet location and see what we can do for you!

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