Nylon vs Polyester Carpet – Comparison Guide [2023]

Polyester and nylon carpets are two of the most popular carpet fibres purchased these days, and with good reason. They’re both affordable and offer many great benefits which makes them good all-rounder carpet options. But which one should you opt for for your home? Is one objectively better than the other? Or do you just need to choose the one that better suits your personal needs?

Nylon Carpeting Overview

Nylon carpets use a common type of synthetic fibre, seen in clothing and other fabrics. In fact, it is one of the most popular carpet fibre in the world. This is thanks to its good balance of durability, long shelf-life and low-maintenance profile. It offers great stain resistance and doesn’t absorb dirt, mold or moisture easily. This makes it easy to clean and maintain in the long-term.

Polyester Carpeting Overview

A polyester fibre carpet is similar to nylon fibre, but is made from more recycled materials. This makes it the polyester carpet the cheaper option of the two. Polyester carpet is also easier to dye, which makes it easier to acquire in certain colours or styles than nylon carpet.

The Pros and Cons of Nylon Carpets

Nylon Carpet Advantages

Nylon carpets are popular for a reason. Several reasons, in fact. They offer great stain resistance and overall durability, meaning that when you buy a nylon carpet it won’t need to be replaced for several years, even with a lot of foot traffic. The resiliency of their carpet fibres is indisputable, but the story doesn’t end there.

A nylon carpet is also very easy to clean. All it takes is a simple vacuuming once or twice a week, regardless of whether you went with a cut pile or loop pile construction. Be sure to conduct minor scrubbing after a spill. This won’t be very difficult though, thanks to how stain-resistant they are.

In other words, nylon carpets are very low-maintenance, which is why many people choose them over having a wool carpet.

Furthermore, nylon carpet has superior shape retention, which means they don’t flatten as quickly as polyester (or polypropylene) carpet fibres. If you have a larger family that tends to be quite active, nylon will certainly last longer in over the years before needing replacement.

Another benefit of synthetic fibres is that they are great for people who have pets or allergies. Synthetic carpets in general have this benefit over ones made from organic materials or more natural fibres. Even if you have a dog or cat that sheds a lot, it will be easy to clean up with brushes or a vacuum.

Nylon Carpet Disadvantages

As great as a carpet purchase of nylon fibres sounds right now, there are a few downsides you ought to be made aware of before making your final decision.

Nylon carpets are probably the most expensive of synthetic fibre carpets. They’re still reasonably cheaper than luxury-style wool carpets, but they won’t be the best choice for someone who is really on a budget. In a polyester carpet comparison, nylon will almost always be more expensive.

While it’s not a deal-breaker, nylon carpets are also quite good at producing static electricity. This is something to keep in mind if you’re the type to drag your bare feet on carpets.

Lastly, a nylon carpet isn’t going to be the softest or the most comfortable carpet option on the market. They are by no means uncomfortable or rough with skin, but they won’t give you the fluffy luxuriousness often associated with high-end wool blends.

Explore quality nylon carpet colours and styles.

The Pros and Cons of Polyester Carpets

Polyester Carpet Advantages

When people discuss polyester carpets, one of the first things to be brought up is the cheaper price. This is undeniably a big pro in their favor.

Polyester carpet can often be installed for $40 per square meter or less. The reason why they’re so inexpensive is that their synthetic fibres are made out of recycled materials. This is also why they are a very eco-friendly option for buyers who are more environmentally conscious. While recycled nylon does exist, it’s not as common.

Unlike nylon fibre, polyester carpet fibres do not conduct much static electricity, which can be a big bonus to people who live with pets or small children.

While there is some overlap here, it is generally the case that a polyester carpet is a little softer than a nylon carpet. Your mileage may vary here depending on where you purchase your carpet from as this is more a rule of thumb and not an ironclad law. Feel free to make comparisons yourself in person should you ever find yourself in a carpet store.

And just like a nylon carpet, a polyester carpet offers very good stain resistance and long-lasting durability. All this makes a polyester carpet an overall quality carpet choice for installation in any part of your home, including bathrooms, stairs, living rooms, bedrooms and basements.

Polyester Carpet Disadvantages

Polyester carpet fibres also don’t offer shape retention as well as nylon fibres. Carpet retention simply means the carpet’s ability to retain its flat, original shape over the years. This can mean that polyester carpets may not age as well as nylon, especially if they are exposed to a lot of foot traffic.

One issue with polyester fibres that may not be obvious at first is their UV sensitivity. Polyester carpets will age more poorly when exposed to sunlight in comparison to nylon carpet fibre.

Another problem is that while polyester fibre does offer similar stain protection to nylon fibre, there are some exceptions when it comes to oil. Oils will generally stain polyester easier than nylon. This can make polyester an inferior choice for installation near kitchens depending on what you cook.

Shop online for affordable polyester carpet colours!

Is Polyester or Nylon Carpeting Better for Allergies?

Many people with allergy problems ask whether nylon or polyester carpet is the best choice, but the truth is that they are both equally valid options for people with allergies.

Since they are both made of durable synthetic carpet fibre, they don’t contain any substances that can set off allergies. The key to keeping your carpets from triggering allergic reactions whether hay fever or asthma is to consistently clean them, effectively keeping dust from building up. Regular steam cleaning and vacuuming will keep the dust out.

Nylon Vs Polyester Carpet: Which is Superior?

What makes the nylon vs polyester carpet debate so difficult for many is that they actually share more similarities than differences. This means you have to hone in on the latter to really figure out which is the best quality carpet choice for you.

If you are on a budget and want a little more softness and comfort, polyester fibres will be your best bet.

On the other hand, if money is less of an issue and you want a little retention, durability and stain resistance then you’ll be happier going for a nylon fibre carpet.

Truth is there are many more types of carpet materials, including polypropylene, triexta, natural wool to mention a few. We recommend exploring all the carpet options before making a decision.

If deciding on nylon or polyester carpet is still too hard for you to settle on, feel free to continue consulting FloorVenue to become better educated on the ins and outs of carpet shopping in Australia.