Types Of Carpet Fibers

Types of carpet fibers.

Acrylic- Feels and looks like wool and is actually stronger then wool. The biggest downside is it becomes stiff and hardens over time. Also does not last as long as other types like nylon, olefin. This material dislikes water but loves oil, meaning it will not hold water but easily absorbs oily substances. Acrylic can fuzz easier then other materials and can be difficult to dye. This fiber is washable and is mostly used for area rugs.

Polyester- PET is the short acronym and loves to absorb oily spills but does not hold water and does not need any added blockers to resist water based spills and stains. Currently represents about 10% of the marketplace and is a favorite in apartment complexes for its cost. Poly is very sun resistant and so is popular for sitting rooms that receive a lot of sunlight. It is not very resilient and will show wear from walking on it or traffic patterns. This material is prone by even normal wear and will not spring back like nylon.

carpet fibers

Types Of Carpet Fibers

Synthetic Carpet Fiber Information

Synthetic Carpet Fiber Information

Synthetic carpets are made from plastic resins that are made in fibers. These fibers are see through and generally stronger then natural carpet materials.

Synthetic carpets start off as plastic chips actually then melted in a machine and forced through a spaghetti like strainer. After this process they are crimped, this is the wrinkle or style you see. Olefin and polyester carpets don’t hold their crimp very well so they often wear very quickly in high traffic environments. Not a great choice for living rooms.

The fibers are then heat set to hold the twist you see, this creates a memory so the carpet springs back after you step on it.

Nylon- Nylon carpet was the first available to give homeowners wall to wall carpet. Previously most homes had hard floors with area rugs over them. Current estimates is 60-70% of homes have a nylon carpet, making it by far the most popular.

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Synthetic Carpet Fiber Information

Learn Different Carpet Fiber Types

Learn about the different carpet fiber types and their characteristics.

Plant based carpet fiber examples

Sisal- sisal comes from the leaves of the sisalana tree native to certain areas of mexico. It can be used in walk off mats, area rugs and wall to wall carpeting. Often you find it in walk off mats at entrances, it is very rough to the touch and shrinks when wet.

Coir- comes from the hair of a coconut and is used in walk off mats and area rugs. It is rough to the touch and expands when wet.

Sea Grass- sea grass comes from ocean grass and is used in walk off, area rugs and wall to wall. It is very slick looking and has a shiny appearance

Abaca- comes from a banana leaf grown in phillipines, its is coarse to the touch

Protein fibers- comes from animals and insects. These materials are sensitive to high alkaline detergents may bleed colors if slightly acidic chemicals are used.

Protein or animal based carpet fiber examples

-Wool comes from fleece of lamb or sheep, the most popular countries producing these are australia and new zealand. Around the world wool is still the most popular fiber but in the united states it makes up less then .5%

Learn Different Carpet Fiber Types

What Is The Backing of Carpet Made From

Materials the backing of carpet is made from.

Carpeting made from natural fibers can be put into 2 categories cellulosic and protein. Cellulosic means it is made from plant based materials and protein equals animal based. This article focuses on cellulosic or plant base materials that some carpet backing is made from.

Some of the elements that make up plant based:

-Can lead to browning or brown discloration

-degrades with high alkaline cleaning solutions

-resistant to mild detergents

- dissolves in strong acids

Plant based fiber sometimes found in the backing of carpet

Cotton- comes from comes from a plant and is usually found in backing of woven carpet. It is rarely ever found on the face side side you see, touch.  cotton is very soft to the touch and increases in strength with water,it stains very easily and brown easily. Other downsides include shrinkage and mildew if too much water is used in cleaning process. This fiber is resistant to alkaline detergents and acid will dissolve it.

Jute-  this fiber is found in the backings of tufted rugs made in US before the eighties. Some common household items might be walk off mats, area rugs and some wall to wall. It is rough to the feel and becomes weak when wet.

Linen- It is extremely rare to find linen in carpet because it doesnt wear well to foot traffic.

What Is The Backing of Carpet Made From