When selecting a new carpet for your home, it’s important to put some thought into its fibre. Carpets can be made from a variety of materials, but the most popular types are nylon carpeting, synthetic carpeting, and wool carpeting.
All three have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Understanding their differences will help you make an informed decision about which carpet fibre is best suited to you, your home, and your budget. Whether you’re renovating your home for yourself or in the hopes of selling it down the line, you’ll be glad you took the extra step to find the perfect carpet.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Nylon Carpet
A standout advantage of having nylon carpeting is that it’s resistant to stain and spills. While nylon isn’t entirely waterproof, it is water-resistant, making it a favourite of parents with young children.
Like any carpet, of course, nylon carpet still needs to be washed. Thankfully, nylon is also very easy to clean, needing a steam clean just once every 12 to 18 months or so. Finally, another major advantage of nylon carpet is its elasticity, durability, and strength, which make it a fantastic choice for rooms with high foot traffic.
Nylon carpeting comes with very few drawbacks. Households with pets that aren’t potty-trained may want to opt for a different fibre, as this acid-dyed material can react to urine. Also, nylon carpet isn’t particularly breathable, meaning it tends to be cool during the winter and warmer during the summer. If you have a proper AC/heating setup, this is very unlikely to be a problem.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Synthetic Carpet
Synthetic carpet is usually made from a combination of nylon, polyester, and polypropylene fibres. Its most notable benefit is that it’s almost always less expensive than both wool and nylon carpets. It’s also comfortable, soft and resistant to fading, abrasion, mould, and mildew. Synthetic carpet is available in a much wider variety of colours and patterns than its counterparts.
If your synthetic carpet has a considerable amount of polyester in its mix of fibres, it may shed more in high-traffic rooms. Oil-based spills are also quite difficult to remove from polyester synthetic carpeting. If your synthetic carpet has higher amounts of polypropylene, it may also be less resistant to abrasion than those using mostly nylon or polyester.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Wool Carpet
Wool carpet is one of the most popular floor coverings there is, and for good reason. With proper care, it can last up to 15 years. It’s soft, strong, durable, environmentally friendly, and naturally regulates humidity. Wool carpet is also resistant to fading, weight compaction, dust mites, and allergens.
A downside of wool carpeting is that it can be a bit pricier due to its high quality. Wool can also be stained by oil-based spills and tends to shed. The latter may not be a problem for you if you vacuum on a semi-regular basis. Moths and their larvae are sometimes drawn to wool carpets for their keratin, but you can easily treat your carpets to stop this issue before it starts.
Melbourne’s Jagers Carpets Has It All
If you live in Melbourne, there’s a carpet shop near you that offers all three of these quality fibres. In the 40 years since our founding, Jagers Carpets has become the premier carpet store in Melbourne. We source our high-quality yet affordable carpets from our close network of carpet suppliers in Melbourne. If you’re looking for a carpet in Melbourne, our family-owned and operated business has the nylon, synthetic, and wool products you need.
With us, you can easily shop for carpets online or in person at our showroom in Camberwell, Victoria at 1350 Toorak Rd. If you have any questions about our products or would like to receive an online carpet quote, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team. You can get in touch with us by calling 03 9889 1111 or filling out our online form. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.