Advantages and Disadvantages of Nylon Carpet Fibers

Choosing and installing a rug can be confusing, especially when you’re trying to choose between a polyester rug and a nylon rug. Nylon was invented in 1935, and by the 50s of the 20th century, the fiber quickly revolutionized the carpet industry. Although the popularity of polyester rugs is rapidly rising, nylon is still the most popular type of fiber in the residential rug industry. However, nylon has a reputation for being durable and relatively easy to maintain, and it is still sought after. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of nylon carpet fiber so you can decide if it’s right for your needs.

What Are Nylon Rugs Made Of?

Nylon carpets are made from a synthetic petroleum-based polymer. The fibers are processed to give them a silky touch, which is why nylon rugs are soft.

Features

Nylon’s many properties make it ideal for carpet fibers. The most important thing is its durability. Nylon is a very strong fiber, so it is very wear-resistant. It is also highly resilient and has very good texture retention to maintain its original appearance.

Advantages

• Durability: Nylon is considered one of the most durable synthetic carpets on the market and is able to withstand high foot traffic better than other options.
• Elasticity: Nylon carpet fibers can easily “bounce back” from compaction. The fibers can be rejuvenated by the hot water extraction cleaning method (steam cleaning).
• Long lifespan: High-quality nylon rugs last longer than other rugs, up to 15 years if properly cared for.
• Hypoallergenic: Nylon fibers resist the growth of mold.

Disadvantages

• Absorbent: Nylon is a very absorbent fiber, which means it dyes more easily than other fibers. However, advances in stain treatment technology mean that today’s nylon is more stain-resistant than ever before.
• Volatile organic compounds: Because nylon carpet is synthetic and is also chemically treated to repel stains, it may release more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than other carpets.
• Static electricity: Nylon carpets are known to build up and release static electricity, especially in very dry environments.

Cost

Although nylon is considered more expensive than polyester rugs, nylon is readily available at all price points. It is a versatile fiber that can be used in low-grade (entry-level) products with higher durability compared to other inexpensive fiber types such as polyester and olefins, but it is also suitable for high-end products with longer warranties.

Overall, nylon’s durability and elasticity make it a very good and affordable choice for carpets, but as always, be sure to consider all factors (twist, surface weight, etc.) when buying.

Nylon 6 vs. Nylon 6,6

There are two types of nylon used in residential carpets: type 6 and type 6,6 (so named because it contains double-stranded carbon atoms). Although both are nylon, they differ in molecular structure. Many people consider type 6,6 to be the best choice because of its higher color fastness and antistatic properties. However, to solve these problems, improvements have been made to the Type 6, and now the differences between the two types are minimal. Years of testing have shown that there is no overall difference between nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 in terms of durability, elasticity, or carpet performance on the floor.

Tip: Nylon 6,6 is easier to recycle back into carpet than Nylon 6,6 (known as cradle-to-cradle recycling).

Manufacturing

Carpet manufacturers either produce nylon in-house or source the fiber externally and turn it into carpets. In general, nylon produced in-house costs less than nylon purchased from elsewhere. This is due to the elimination of additional links in the supply chain and is usually not indicative of low quality nylon in-house.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are nylon rugs good?

If you need to use carpet in high-traffic areas of your home, nylon is an excellent choice due to its durability and longevity.

• Which is better polyester rug or nylon rug?

Each fiber has its advantages and disadvantages. Nylon is more durable compared to polyester, which makes nylon a better choice for high-traffic areas. However, when it comes to stain resistance, polyester fibers excel. Also, consider Triexta rugs, which are a newer fiber in the carpet industry and are considered more durable than nylon.

• Can nylon rugs be tiled?

Fibers may flatten out due to foot traffic, but cleaning the carpet helps fibers bounce back. Therefore, it is important that nylon rugs are steam cleaned at least every 12 to 18 months (more frequently in high-traffic areas) to ensure longevity.