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The esthetics and performance of carpet is similar
to the fabric in your clothing. The type of fiber
used, the construction of the cloth, and the color
all play a role in the styling, cost, and performance
of that garment.
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Description of Common Carpet Fibers: |
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Nylon
The most frequently used carpet fiber, highly
desirable due to its exceptional durability,
versatility, and reasonable pricing. It
can be dyed in an endless variety of colors
and made into numerous styles and textures.
Nylon is commonly used in residential and
commercial applications. |
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Branded Nylon
Brand name fiber such as DuPont Stainmaster®,
Solutia WearDated®,and Honeywell Anso®
usually indicates additional yarn testing
and/or additional soil and stain treatments
have been added.
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Polyester
Used in residential and a few commercial
applications, polyester has good color clarity,
colorfastness, and resistance to water-soluble
stains. All of Mohawk's polyester yarn comes
from our state-of-the-art plastic bottle
recycling facility. This "food-grade"
PET Polyester fiber is considered to be
better quality than "carpet-grade"
polyester fiber. |
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Polypropylene
Also known as Olefin, this fiber resists
fading, generates low levels of static electricity,
is favorably priced, and can be engineered
in outdoor applications. Due to its manufacturing
process, polypropylene inherently resists
stains. When used in specific carpet constructions,
this yarn will perform as well as most resilient
fibers. |
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Wool
The most expensive of the fibers listed
here, it is a natural fiber with moderate
soil and stain resistance. Durable, luxurious
"hand", reduced visible soil due
to fine, light-scattering characteristics. |
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Fiber
Performance in Carpet:
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Nylon
(filament) |
Nylon
(staple) |
Olefin
(filament) |
Polyester
(staple) |
Wool
(staple) |
| Durability |
Excellent
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Excellent
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Excellent
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Excellent
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Good |
| Resilience |
Excellent
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Excellent
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Fair |
Fair |
Excellent
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| Stain Resistant* |
Very
Good |
Very
Good |
Excellent |
Very
Good |
Very
Good |
| Soil Resistant** |
Very
Good |
Very
Good |
Fair |
Good |
Very
Good |
| Cleaning |
Very
Good |
Very
Good |
Very
Good |
Good |
Very
Good |
| Available
Colors |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Fair |
Very
Good |
Fair |
| Pilling
& Fuzzing |
Excellent |
Fair |
Very
Good |
Fair |
Fair |
| Resistance
to Household Cleaners |
Very
Good |
Very
Good |
Excellent |
Very
Good |
Good |
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* assuming nylon is
treated with a stain resistant chemical.
** assuming treatment with a soil resistant
chemical. |
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