Pros and Cons of Nylon Carpet Fiber

Choosing and installing carpet can be confusing, especially when you are trying to decide between polyester and nylon carpet. Nylon was invented in 1935 and by the 1950s the fiber quickly revolutionized the carpeting industry. Nylon remains a favored fiber type in the residential carpet industry, though the popularity of polyester carpeting is quickly rising. However, nylon has a solid reputation for being durable and relatively easy to maintain and is still sought after. Read on to find out the pros and cons of nylon carpet fiber so you can decide if it's right for your needs.

What Is Nylon Carpet Made Of?

Nylon carpet is made from a type of synthetic, petroleum-based polymer. When the fiber is processed it has a silk-like touch, which accounts for nylon carpet's softness.

Characteristics

Many of its features make nylon an ideal choice for carpet fiber. Of key importance is its durability. Nylon is a very strong fiber, and as such, it stands up very well to abrasion. It is also highly resilient and has very good texture retention to maintain its original appearance.

Benefits

• Durability: Nylon is considered to be one of the most durable synthetic carpets on the market and able to better withstand high foot traffic than other options.
• Resiliency: Nylon carpet fibers can easily "bounce back" from compaction. The fibers can be revived by the hot water extraction cleaning method (steam cleaning).
• Longevity: A good-quality nylon carpet can last longer than other carpets, up to 15 years when properly maintained.
• Hypoallergenic: Nylon fibers resist the development of mold and mildew.

Disadvantages

• Absorbency: Nylon is a very absorbent fiber which means it can stain more easily than other options. However, advances in stain treatment technologies mean that today’s nylons are more stain-resistant than ever before.
• VOCs: Since nylon carpet is synthetic and is also chemically treated for stain resistance, it likely emits a bit more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than other carpet options.
• Static electricity: Static is known to build up and discharge from nylon carpeting, especially in very dry environments.

Cost

Though nylon is considered more expensive than polyester carpet, nylon is readily available at all price points. It is a versatile fiber that can be used in lower-grade (entry-level) products for added durability over other inexpensive fiber types (such as polyester and olefin), but it is also suitable for higher-end products with longer warranties.

Overall, nylon’s durability and resiliency make it a very good and affordable carpet choice, but as always, be sure to consider all factors (twist, face weight, etc.) when making your purchase.

Nylon 6 vs. Nylon 6,6

There are two types of nylon used in residential carpeting: type 6 and type 6,6 (named for the double strands of carbon atoms it contains). While both are nylon, their molecular structure differs. Many consider type 6,6 as the best option for its increased colorfastness and resistance to static. However, improvements have been made to type 6 to address these issues and now the differences between the two types are minimal. Years of testing show no overall difference in durability, resiliency, or the performance of the carpet on the floor between nylon 6 and nylon 6,6.

Manufacturing

Carpet manufacturers either produce nylon in-house or purchase the fiber from an outside source and turn that fiber into a carpet. Generally, nylons produced in-house will cost less than those purchased elsewhere. This is due to the elimination of the additional link in the supply chain and is not usually an indication that in-house nylons are of lower quality.