Introduction

Carpets are made from a variety of natural and man-made fibres, each of which have distinct properties with advantages and disadvantages. Carpet performance and cost are optimised by combining these fibres in different proportions.

The most common type of carpet is 80% wool and 20% nylon, using the strength and cost-effectiveness of nylon with the aesthetic and durable benefits of wool.

Wool

The oldest and superior fibre used to make carpets.

• Warm and soft
• Hard-wearing
• Can be cleaned
• Maintains its pile
• Doesn’t accumulate static electricity
• Resistant to flames

• Not resistant to moisture
• Expensive
• Colours fade

Coir

A strong fibre harvested from coconut husks, generally used as doormats.

• Less expensive than wool

• Tough underfoot

Plant fibres

There are several materials available that are made from plant stem fibres. These include Jute, Flax, Sisal and Seagrass.

• Less expensive than wool

• Coarse underfoot
• Can be flattened by high usage

Nylon (Polyamide)

A synthetic yarn that has become the most widely used carpet fibre, available under several brand names.

• Very strong but soft
• Hard-wearing
• Cheap
• Good colour retention
• Not naturally stain-resistant, but treated to allows stains to be washed off

• Prone to static
• Melts when exposed to flames

Acrylic

A man-made fibre that has the appearance of wool.

• Warm
• Can be cleaned
• Maintains its pile
• Cheap
• Doesn’t accumulate static electricity
• Resistant to mould and mildew

• Not fire-resistant

Polyester

A strong man-made fibre.

• Soft and durable
• Naturally stain-resistant
• Resistant colour fading
• Waterproof

• Pile is easily flattened

Polypropylene (Olefin)

A synthetic fibre used in carpet backing as well as surface fibres.

• Cheap
• Hard-wearing
• Resistant to stains
• Doesn’t accumulate static electricity
• Resistant colour fading
• Resistant moisture
• Resistant to mould and mildew

• Pile can be crushed
• Scars if exposed to flame
• Fibres split if exposed to sunlight

Viscose Rayon

A regenerated cellulose fibre that is mostly used to bulk up cheaper carpet fibre blends.

• Cheap

• Not resistant to stains
• Not hard-wearing
• Pile is easily flattened

Further information and useful links

• Types of carpet
• Tools & tips for measuring a fitted carpet
• Guide to installing a fitted carpet
• More floors topics

• Find a Carpet supplier near you
• Find a Carpet Fitter near you