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Carpet fiber and how the carpet is constructed
affect the appearance, performance, and value
of your carpet. During manufacture, fiber
is converted into yarn, which is tufted or
woven to form the pile -- the surface you
see and walk on.
Retailers' carpet samples are labeled to
identify fiber content. Most carpet styles
are made entirely of one fiber type -- nylon,
olefin, or polyester. Some styles may contain
blends of these fibers.
There are two fiber classes -- natural, such
as wool, and man-made, such as nylon olefin,
and polyester. Each has different characteristics.
The following can help you make the right
choice for your needs.
Nylon continues as the ideal
carpet fiber. Its many attributes combine
to provide outstanding durability, performance,
resilience (defined as the ability to spring
back), and appearance. Nylon lends itself
to an unlimited variety of styles and colors
at reasonable prices. Some products have excellent
stain resistance.
Polyester fiber produces
carpets that are soft to the touch but not
as resilient as carpets of nylon. Polyester
is best suited for low traffic areas. Excellent
stain resistance.
Olefin (also called polypropylene)
is often used in indoor/outdoor carpet and
in tight, loop-pile commercial carpets. Due
to its relatively low resilience, its use
should be restricted to areas of low traffic.
Excellent stain resistance.
Wool, of course, is a natural
fiber and presents a beautiful appearance
in carpeting. However, wool may not be as
resilient as man-made carpet fibers and is
quite a bit more expensive. Wool absorbs light
differently than synthetics. The ability to
breathe makes wool very desirable for certain
installations.
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