Signature Floorcoverings

What's New Carpet Fibres Explained

'Education Tool'

Carpet Fibres Explained

Each fibre has strengths and weaknesses that must be recognised. This will influence how carpet is to be used and how carpet is constructed. It should be emphasised that there is no perfect fibre and carpet is a fabric that is subjected to incredible abuse through foot traffic, accidental spills, environmental contaminants, and other abuses.

The majority of the carpet sold in Australia is one of the following four pile fibres:

  • Nylon
  • Polyester / Chromolon
  • Wool
  • Polypropylene (olefin)
Nylon

Nylon is a very durable fibre with excellent performance characteristics.

It’s strengths include:
  • resiliency
  • yarn memory to hold twist
  • carpet cleaning efficiency
  • stain resistance with stain treatment applied
  • soil hiding ability
  • mould and mildew resistance
  • abrasion resistance
  • available in both solution dyed and various yarn dyed methods
Nylon is the strongest fibre, making it an excellent choice for the heavy traffic of an active household or commercial facility. It is also the most durable of the synthetics. Most nylon is treated with an anti-static treatment to reduce static. Continuous filament fibres minimise pilling and shedding concerns.

Polyester/Chromolon

Polyester fibre produces some of the most beautiful colorations available. It also is extremely fade resistant and provides excellent resistance to stains. It is not as resilient as nylon however polyester is quite durable and has a strong resistance to wear.

Its strengths include:
  • non-allergenic
  • sheds moisture
  • resists moths and mildew
  • a lower cost than wool or nylon
  • polyester fibres can be made from recycled PET bottles
  • very environmentally sustainable
Polyester is an all-round good choice for residential carpet offering performance and value for money.

Wool

This traditional favourite offers a deep, rich look and feel. It has very good resilience and durability, but is very expensive often twice as much per metre as nylon.

It’s strengths are:
  • soft to touch
  • natural looking colours
  • luxurious look
  • good resilience
Other synthetic fibres have done an excellent job of duplicating the characteristics of wool. Special care should be used in cleaning wool carpet. Wool is naturally a staple fibre. Although it is naturally stain resistant, it requires a high level of maintenance including mothproofing. Since wool can hold 4-10 times its weight in moisture, it is susceptible to shrinking and mould and mildew growth.
 
Polypropylene

Polypropylene, also called olefin, and is a fast growing fibre segment. It is a relatively inexpensive fibre, which is easily extruded by most carpet manufacturers.

It’s strengths include:
  • resistant to moisture
  • superior stain resistance, with the exception of oil-based stains
  • superior resistance to sunlight fading
  • solution dyed construction means it is colour fast
  • low cost
Polypropylene is great when used in a needlepunch carpet as each layer of staple yarn is needled into each other providing an extremely durable construction. Polypropylene as a tufted carpet has poor resiliency, which can lead to crushing/matting.

Polypropylene cleans very well and most staining is non-existent. It is favoured for outdoor carpeting and basements due to its resistance to moisture, mildew, water damage, staining, pilling, shedding and static.