Carpet Material
When purchasing carpet buyers should consider factors like, pets, young children, heavy traffic, direct sunlight, how long they plan on keeping the carpet and the overall feel of the carpet. The chart below should help you in understanding why some carpet fiber and materials maybe better suited for your home and budget.
| Wool | Nylon | Polypropylene Olefin | Polyester | |
| Resiliency: Determined by fiber structure and modifications. | Good to excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good to excellent |
| Abrasion Resistance: Determined by fiber and density of face fiber the more tightly packed the yarns, the more resistant to wear. | Good to excellent | Excellent | Good | Good to excellent |
| Soil & Stain: Resistance/Cleanability Determined by color, texture, dyes, fiber structure and modifications. | Good to excellent | Good | Good: Oily stains should be promptly treated. | Excellent: Oily stains should be promptly treated. |
| Resistance to Sunlight: Determined by fiber structure and modifications. | Poor: If protected from ultraviolet rays, degradation does not occur as rapidly. | Good: Apecial dyes may be used to inhibit sun damage. | Loses strength and deteriorates unless chemically modified to resist sunlight damage. | Good: May weaken with prolonged exposure. |
| Feel / Touch | Warm, soft | Varies from warm and soft to cold and coarse. | Waxy, Soft | Varies finerdeniers are soft and silky. |
| Resistance to Mildew: Determined by fiber structure and modifications | Poor if damp or soiled. | Fiber may be modified | Excellent | Excellent |