How to Choose Carpet Fiber
The wrong carpet fiber can wear poorly and leave a "trail" in high-traffic areas, or if you have an active family, it can fray or show spills. The right carpet fiber can withstand traffic and repel stains, and it can also add value to your home. Although choosing the right carpet fiber might seem daunting because of all the varieties, you can learn how to select the right carpet fiber for your home by following a few guidelines. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Compare the three primary types—nylon, polyester, and olefin—for durability, stain resistance. Nylon offers the most durability, polyester offers moderate durability and also cleanability. Olefin offers a moderate amount of durability.
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Compare how fibers react to water. Look for a fiber that dries quickly and resists shrinking. Polyester fibers resist shrinking better than nylon or olefin, but olefin dries quicker, so it minimizes mold or mildew. Although nylon doesn't resist moisture as well as polyester or olefin, it does offer more resistance to liquid oils and chemicals than polyester or olefin.
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Match the fiber to the room or traffic. Purchase less durable polyester for low-traffic rooms and nylon fiber carpets for rooms with more traffic. Choose olefin for work rooms that require repeated cleaning or wet vacuuming.
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Compare prices. Generally, polyester-fiber carpets cost slightly less than olefin-fiber carpets, and nylon fiber is the most expensive.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit carpet close up image by isatori from Fotolia.com
