Choose a Type of Carpet: Nylon vs Polyester

Choose a Type of Carpet: Nylon vs Polyester

If you are looking to install carpeting or replace an existing carpet in your home, you might be interested in knowing about the types of fibers that carpet is made from, and which might work best for you. While carpeting is available in nylon, polyester, polypropylene (olefin), cotton, and acrylic fibers, the two main types of carpet that are sold in the U.S. today are nylon and polyester. So here are some pros and cons between the two:

Nylon Carpet

Nylon carpet is the most popular type of carpet, and it has been since the 1960’s. It is pretty much the “gold standard” for durability and resiliency. It is versatile, and is available in a wide range of styles. A well-made nylon carpet should last a minimum of 10 years. So, why would you go with anything else? Well, nylon is expensive, so let’s talk about polyester.

Polyester Carpet

Polyester carpet is pretty popular as well, and one advantage to it is that it retains color very well. Often it is available in brighter and bolder colors than nylon. It is also quite a bit cheaper than nylon carpeting, sometimes as much as up to 50% less. The downside to polyester is that it simply is not as durable as nylon, it crushes more easily, and won’t last as long. However, there are times when you might want to save the money, and go with polyester.

As a general rule:

Pick nylon carpeting if you don’t plan to replace your carpet within the next 10 years, and for areas of your house that are frequently used, such as the family room, hallways, dining room, living room that gets lots of use, etc.

Pick polyester carpeting for areas that you don’t use very much, such as a spare bedroom, a formal living room, or another less frequently used room. You may also choose polyester for areas where you simply don’t want to spend a lot on the carpeting, such as a garage.

And that’s basically everything you need to know about the differences between nylon and polyester carpet, and how to choose one!