While the carpet you buy for your home should be beautiful, it is equally essential for it to be tough. Otherwise, it won’t last for long and will eventually become a nuisance for you. Even though you don’t know which carpet fibers are the most durable, you can educate yourself with great ease. After all, the quality of a floor covering is dependent on the material used to make it.
Which is the mst durable Carpet Fiber? Wool and nylon are considered the most durable carpet fibers (natural & synthetic respectively). But there are many differences between the two regarding price point, maintenance, etc. Keep reading to find out more!
But before we do, let me share with you a couple of posts that I’m sure you’ll find interesting. While this particular post addresses the question of which carpet fiber is the most durable, these other posts might help you decide what fiber (or carpet) you should purchase:
9 Carpet Materials and How to Choose the Right One for You
If you’re about to buy a carpet you need to know about the different fiber materials. They all have their pros and cons, so read this to choose wisely!
Natural vs Synthetic Fibers. The Ultimate Guide!
Choosing the right material for a rug will ensure its durability, longevity, and performance. Read this guide to learn more about natural and synthetic fibers.
The Most Comprehensive Guide to All Types of Carpets!
A comprehensive look into the world of carpets. The different styles categorised on the basis of material, construction, and pile height, their advantages and limitations.
Most Durable Natural Fiber: Wool
Wool is the most durable natural carpet fiber.
Wool happens to have a reputation for being expensive. However, since it offers a lot in terms of softness, resilience, and durability, it is worth every penny. Traditionally wool has been associated with opulence. This association explains why, even today, luxury suites in hotels boast carpets made out of this natural fiber.
The undeniable benefits of wool make it a wise choice for purchase. The heavenly feel of this cozy fabric makes it so dear to the public. The addition of a gorgeous wool carpet can create any room chic with its sophisticated presence.
Durability and Resilience
Wool is a highly reliable and durable fiber that is perfect for high-traffic areas.
Tensile strength is a metric used to indicate how much pressure or pulling a fiber can withstand before breaking. When wool is evaluated on this metric, it passes with flying colors. After knowing this fact, you can easily see why the higher price for this material is justified.
Wool fibers are not only long-lasting, but they are also structurally resilient.
Furniture compression tends to flatten carpet fibers permanently. However, since wool is structurally resilient, it tends to return to its actual shape. If you ever feel like a wool carpet appears deformed because of compression, free it from the burden. After a few hours, it will return to its original state.
Softness
Any wool product is, without a doubt, warm, soft, and cozy to touch.
PRO TIP
PRO-TIP BUY WOOL CARPETS FOR YOUR HOMES IF IT CONSISTS OF ANY VULNERABLE PEOPLE, BABIES AND PETS.
If anyone in your household is at higher risk of suffering due to allergies, get a pure wool carpet. The behavior of this natural fiber will be beneficial for the inhabitants.
Do you enjoy the feeling of walking on cushions? Wool carpets have a delicate, airy touch, which will make you want to step on them again and again. Homes with children may especially want to consider this carpet fiber. After all, wool exhibits behavior that is hypoallergenic. This combination of discouraging bacterial growth and being soft makes it a highly admirable option. Moreover, it will also prevent the growth of dust mites.
What better combo could there be of a soft yet sturdy fiber material?
Price Point
Even though wool carpets are expensive, they still qualify as meaningful investments.
Carpets made of wool have stood the test of time. Not only do they have a magnificent look, but they are also structurally sound. Therefore, it makes sense to pay a little extra for floor coverings made with this material. If being ethically responsible is crucial to you, don’t think twice. Go ahead and spend a few extra bucks to get a wool carpet.
Maintenance
Cleaning a wool carpet is moderately challenging.
Carpets made of wool have stood the test of time. Not only do they have a magnificent look, but they are also structurally sound. Therefore, it makes sense to pay a little extra for floor coverings made with this material. If being ethically responsible is crucial to you, don’t think twice. Go ahead and spend a few extra bucks to get a wool carpet.
Friendliness to the Environment
Wool is a natural fiber which unlike synthetic fibers, decomposes by itself.
Wool is internally hydrophilic and externally hydrophobic. Due to these unique qualities, the fiber behaves like a natural dehumidifier. In humid environments, it will soak in water vapors. This absorption will make indoor air quality improve.
Did you know it is good for the sheeps’ hygiene to be shorn every once in a while? Therefore, the process whereby wool is acquired is friendly and sustainable to the ecosystem.
Most Durable Synthetic Fiber: Nylon
Nylon has taken over the market as the most popular carpet fiber available. It also happens to be the most durable synthethic carpet fiber.
The term nylon refers to a group of synthetic polymers that are made from petrochemicals.
If you’re in love with bold and vibrant colors, this is the right carpet material for you. Nylon is relatively more inexpensive than wool, but it is also a more durable fiber. However, this is dependent on the quality of the nylon product you buy. Whatever you do, don’t get a low-grade nylon carpet, as it won’t withstand too much pressure.
Every penny you earn deserves to be spent well; therefore, only buy a floor covering of top-notch quality.
Durability and Resilience
Out of all the durable and resilient synthetic fibers, nylon is clearly at the top.
With a tensile strength better than wool, nylon is unparalleled in toughness. If you buy a high-quality carpet made of this fiber, it can last for more than a decade. That is, however, possible only if it is well-maintained. No rug is strong enough to sustain itself unless it is taken care of by the household.
Firmness
The texture of the inorganic nylon fiber is firm.
Nylon is a type of plastic that has been created through the processing of crude oil. Like other plastics, the texture of nylon fibers is pretty firm. Luckily, there are many vibrant color options when it comes to this synthetic fiber. Therefore, waste no time and get it if you wish to have an affordable yet firm floor covering.
Price Point
The price of a nylon carpet is a little tricky.
WARNING
SALESMEN WILL TRY AND SELL YOU A CHEAP NYLON CARPET THAT ISN’T DURABLE
When you’re shopping for a new floor covering, be vigilant. Some marketeers may try and fool you into a purchase. If you end up buying an inferior product you will regret it later.
When you go to the carpet market, you will find nylon ones at various price points. Don’t get an extremely cheap one unless you’re okay with it wearing out quickly. If the price seems to be too good to be true, the product is likely not worth it. Low-grade nylon carpets are not made to last and will prove to be a nuisance. Instead, look for a high-quality option that is closer to the price of wool.
Impact on the Environment
If the cleanliness of the carpet matters to you, you’re in good luck because nylon is easy to clean.
With the right cleaning agents at your disposal, cleaning a nylon carpet is no big deal. However, it will require some care and attention to maintain them. Depending on the treatment, such a rug may even have higher stain resistance than wool counterparts. You can place a carpet made with this synthetic fiber in high-traffic areas with complete confidence. After all, getting it to look as good as new isn’t that difficult.
Harmful to the Environment
Nylon is a type of plastic that is not made through an eco-friendly process.
This synthetic material is at most recyclable, but it does not decompose naturally. Therefore, nylon is not an ideal carpet fiber option for you, especially if you’re passionate about eco-friendliness. Carpets made with this material also emit volatile organic compounds or VOCs, which make them harmful to the environment. It only makes sense to get a nylon carpet if budget is a concern.
Conclusion
And that’s about it! You now know everything there is to know about Wool and Nylong and why they’re so durable. These are excellent choices for your carpet! But if you’re still not convinced, please try checking out our Ultimate Guide on Carpet Fiber Materials. I’m sure you’ll find the right one for you!
And you can always find an installer to help you decide which carpet type you should buy. If you want to look for the best installers in your area, I’d advise you to check our post on How to Find the Best Carpet Installers in your Area.