| |
|
Choose your
topic from the
right column |
 |
Almost all carpet
(97%) is made from
synthetic fibers.
Synthetic fibers are
more resistant to
stains and much less
expensive. However,
natural fibers tend
to resist crushing
from traffic.
Major carpet
producers such as
Balta, DuPont,
Solutia,
Interface, and
Allied Signal have
brand names for
their carpets.
These brands are
generally made from
one or more of 6
types of fiber:
acrylic (art wool),
nylon, olefin
(polypropylene),
polyester, wool, and
recycled material.
Acrylic
Acrylic fiber is
known as art, art
wool, or man-made
wool because it is
an artificial
fiber. This fiber
provides the look
and feel of wool at
a fraction of the
cost. It resists
static electricity,
moisture, mildew,
fading, crushing,
staining, and sun
damage. However,
acrylic fiber is not
durable enough for
high traffic areas
(it fails under
abrasion when
compared to other
fibers).
Blends are typically
made from nylon and
olefin. This blend
is resilient but the
different fiber
types often resist
stains unevenly.
Stains will often
stand out
prominently with
these blends.
Nylon is the most
popular fiber (about
90% of residential
carpets and 65% of
all carpets). Nylon
is a good choice for
all traffic areas
because it is
durable and static
free, maintains
fiber height, and
resists soiling,
staining, and
mildew. Nylon
fibers, which are
dyed after
production, maintain
color. Nylon
carpets vary from $8
per square yard for
cut piles to $30 for
multi-level loops.
Nylon comes in
continuous or spun
fibers. Spun carpet
is made of short
lengths of fibers
that are spun
together. These
continuous fibers
are less likely to
unravel.
Olefin
(polypropylene) is
the next-best seller
after nylon (about
80% of commercial
carpet). These
fibers are colorfast
because the
production process
involves mixing
polypropylene with
dyes. Olefin works
best in loop carpets
such as
Berbers. It is
strong (resisting
abrasion), mildew
resistant, moisture
resistant, and easy
to clean (bleach can
be used safely in
some cases).
However, olefin can
be easy to
crush depending
on the pile. This
fiber is good for
indoors and outdoors
(e.g. artificial
sport turfs).
Olefin carpets are
the most inexpensive
fiber ranging from
$7.50 per square
yard to $40 per
square yard for
Berbers.
Polyester does not
hold its fiber
height under traffic
and shifting weight
as well as other
carpet fibers.
Polyester is
luxurious, durable
against abrasions,
easy to clean, and
resistant to water
soluble stains.
Polyester carpets
costs less than wool
and nylon. Prices
range from $7 per
square yard for
lighter cut piles
and $24 per square
yard for heavier cut
piles. However,
polyester can fade
with sunlight.
Recycled Material
Some carpet is made
from recycled
material.
PET
(Polyethylene
Terephthalate)
carpet is made from
recycled plastics of
consumer packaged
goods (typically
soda and other rigid
containers). PET
carpet is durable,
water resistant, and
static resistant.
Wool is luxurious,
strong, and stain
resistant. It
maintains its fiber
height. Wool also
has its weaknesses.
It can maintain
static and moisture,
tends to fray, and
is expensive
(ranging from about
$18 per square yard
for
Berbers to $66
for
cut piles).
*Note:
Information
in this section are
the propriety of
Carpet.org
|
