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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. |
All carpet yarn is manufactured from either a Staple or Continuous Filament (BCF) fiber. Staple fiber is a series of short, 6 to 7 inches in length, strings spun together to form one continuous filament. Several of these are twisted together to form a strand of yarn. BCF fiber is a continuous filament manufactured as one long string. These are twisted and heatset together to form a strand of yarn. Both of these processes create yarns that produce carpet products with distinctly different looks and characteristics. |
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PolyAmide (PA) / 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. |
Polyester
Used in residential and a few commercial applications, polyester has good color clarity, colorfastness, and resistance to water-soluble stains. |
PolyPropylene (PP)
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. |
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
Type |
Definition |
Characteristics |
| PolyAmide
(PA) / Nylon |
| Fiber-forming substance of any long-chain,
synthetic polyamide having recurring amide
groups as an integral part of the polymer
chain. |
| First used in 1959 in carpet. |
| Offered as BCF or staple. |
| Used in residential and commercial applications. |
| Produced as a solution-dyed fiber or white
yarn to-be-dyed. |
| Accounts for 65% of all face fibers in
carpet. |
|
| Durable, resilient |
| Abrasion-resistant. |
| Versatile in coloration
possibilities |
| Favorably priced. |
| Must be treated to be
stain and soil resistant. |
|
| Polyester |
| Made from terephthalic
acid and ethylene glycol. |
| Offered primarily as
a staple product, although some BCF in being
produced. |
| Used in residential and
commercial applications. |
|
| Color clarity |
| Colorfastness |
| Resistant to water-soluble
stains. |
| Noted for luxurious "hand". |
|
Polypropylene
(PP)
(Olefin)
|
| Fiber-forming substance
of any long-chain synthetic polymer composed
of at least 85%, by weight, of ethylene,
propylene, or other olefin units. |
| Offered primarily as
BCF with some staple product available. |
| Primarily sold as solution-dyed
or pre-dyed fiber. |
| Can be engineered for
outdoor applications. |
|
| Resists fading. |
| Inherently stain resistant. |
| Limited color selection. |
| Generates low levels
of static electricity. |
| Chemical, moisture, and
stain resistant. |
| Favorably priced. |
|
| Wool |
| Natural fiber. |
| Offered as staple yarn. |
|
| Luxurious "hand" |
| Durable |
| Inherent resilient property |
| Scaly character of fiber
scatters light and reduces visible soil. |
| Largely self-extinguishing
when burned. Will char rather than melt
and drip |
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PA / Nylon
(filament) |
PA / Nylon
(staple) |
PP
(filament) |
Polyester
(staple) |
Wool
(staple) |
| Durability |
**** |
**** |
**** |
**** |
** |
| Resilience (kick) |
**** |
**** |
* |
* |
**** |
| Stain Resistant |
*** |
*** |
**** |
*** |
*** |
| Soil Resistant |
*** |
*** |
* |
** |
*** |
| Cleaning |
*** |
*** |
*** |
** |
*** |
| Available Colors |
**** |
**** |
* |
*** |
* |
| Pilling & Fuzzing |
**** |
* |
*** |
* |
* |
| Resistance to Household Cleaners |
*** |
*** |
**** |
*** |
** |
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