An Expert Guide to Carpet Selection…
Fiber Type
In a nutshell, fiber type accounts for about 75% of the price of carpet. The type of fiber used and the process used to make it into yarn affect both the price and performance characteristics of the finished carpet.
There are two methods for making the yarn — staple and bulk continuous filament (BCF). The staple process twists short strands together into a tuft; BCF uses one long continuous strand, and the resulting carpet resists pilling better.
Wool is the premier natural fiber. As such, it’s also the most expensive. Its advantages are that it resists soil; it’s easy to clean, because dirt stays near the surface instead of being ground in; and it maintains dimensional stability. But wool has only moderate resistance to stains.
Nylon is the most expensive choice among synthetic fibers although recent technology gains have seen this durable fiber become more price competitive on the whole. It’s softer than other synthetics; it’s resilient; it stands up well to traffic, allowing it to retain its original appearance longer; it’s more resistant to fading; and it can be solution-dyed “ where color is added before the fiber is made into a yarn — making it more resistant to dirt and stains, because the color is in the fiber, not on its surface. Nylon fibers that are not solution-dyed must be treated topically to make them stain-resistant. As a result of this process, solution-dyed yarns can’t take bright colors, so solution-dyed nylons are more muted or neutral in color. Some manufacturers have produced branded nylons that are manufactured according to strict standards and offer consumers quality assurance. An example is DuPont’s STAINMASTER® Tactesse® Nylon.
Polypropylene, also known as Olefin, is a relatively inexpensive fiber with exceptional soil- and moisture-resistance. And, because it’s solution-dyed, carpets made with Olefin fiber are also colorfast and resist fading and staining. On the other hand, it’s not as resilient as other fibers and doesn’t hold up as well under heavy foot traffic. While it’s not appropriate for cut pile carpet, Olefin works well with loop carpets, which tend to have extra stability, and is an ideal choice for less expensive Berber carpet.
Polyester (PET) is the most widely used fiber in carpets for the home, and for good reason. Because it’s more resilient than Olefin and is not solution-dyed, polyester works well for cut pile construction and offers a wider color spectrum, including bright colors. It’s more affordable than nylon. And its chemical composition makes it inherently resistant to fading and staining. With polyester fiber, extremely high temperatures are required for the yarn to accept dye, and once these dye sites are closed, the carpet blocks stains from entering the fiber.
PTT is a variation of polyester. It’s more resilient, crush-resistant and easier to clean. It’s also stain- and mold-resistant.
Yarn Construction
Along with fiber type, yarn construction affects a carpet’s durability.
Twist — In constructing the fiber, the yarns are twisted together, then heat-set to retain that shape. Twist simply refers to the number of times per inch the yarns are twisted together — typically from four to six times — where the tighter the twist, the better the performance of the carpet in resisting matting and traffic marks. Sometimes less expensive Olefin carpets use “air entanglement” rather than twisting. In this case, air blasts fibers together instead of physically twisting them; this method is suitable for Berber carpet, due to that style’s density, but will not hold up in cut pile carpets.
Pile Height — A measurement of the height of the yarn, from the backing. The taller the pile, the plusher the carpet.
Face Weight — A measurement of the ounces of fiber per square yard. Face weight affects the cost and feel of the carpet.
Density — Refers to how closely the tufts are spaced. Obviously, the higher the density, the better the carpet will perform. Keep in mind that carpets with high pile and low density will probably crush and mat easily.
Carpet Backing
Most standard carpet backing is woven polypropylene with a latex binder. The more premium the backing material, the better it holds up. Cheaper backing can become brittle and crack, so the carpet will wrinkle and bunch up. Premium backing makes the carpet easier to clean, too, because it slows spills from penetrating to the pad.
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