Ultimate Guide to Nylon Carpet [2023]

We are entering an age where synthetic fibres are taking over the world of carpeting. Nylon is one of the most popular synthetic carpets fitted into Australian homes due to their durability, stain resistance and softness underfoot. Although there are many advantages to nylon, it is also important to learn the drawbacks so you know what you are paying for.

FloorVenue’s ultimate guide on nylon carpets will arm you with the necessary buying knowledge so you can make the right decision for your home.

What Are Solution Dyed Nylon Carpets?

Nylon carpeting is a type of synthetic fibre derived from plastics. This means it is made and processed through man-made materials, unlike wool carpet fibres which are shorn from sheep.

When nylon was first invented last century, it was primarily used for clothing instead of carpets. Since soft nylon fibres were easy to produce and readily available, a few clever people decided to bring it into the world of carpets quite successfully. Many to this day still consider it a great alternative to the higher prices of pure wool carpets.

Even today, nylon carpets remain one of the most popular and best-selling carpet types worldwide. It set the original standard of what synthetic carpet fibers could achieve. Many today still consider solution dyed nylon to be the best of all synthetic fibres, and right now we’re going to go over why.

What are the Benefits of a Nylon Carpet?

1) Durability & Longevity

One thing you’ll always see mentioned alongside nylon carpets is durability. Nylon carpets have a great lifespan compared to other fibres such as polyester. This makes them a great choice for family homes or living areas with a lot of foot traffic.

What makes nylon so durable is that it has great crush resistance and high retention. What does all this mean? Nylon does a great job of retaining its original shape after years and years, even when exposed to heavy furniture and a lot of walking or high traffic areas.

2) Solution Dyed Stain Resistance (Low Maintenance)

Another amazing benefit of nylon carpets is that they are naturally stain resistant. Stain resistance is a special feature of “Solution Dyed” nylon carpets. Most solution dyed nylon options offer up to 48 hours of stain resistance from almost all types of spills.

The secret sauce is the method of colouring nylon fibres during manufacturing. Pigmentation can only enter the carpet fibres when heated above 110°C whereby the pores open. Once the temperature cools back down, the pores close and lock in the carpet colour. This simultaneously keeps out unwanted colours and stains from getting in.

3) Solution Dyed Fade Resistant

Nylon not only has great stain resistance but great sunlight resistance as well. Many carpets can have their colour fade when exposed to too much UV. Nylon carpets in particular are well fortified against this with their own fade-resistant materials, especially if they have been solution dyed colour treated. Colour fading is unlikely to happen with a nylon carpet.

What are the Downsides of a Nylon Carpet?

As much as nylon may seem like the right carpet for you, there are a some minor cons to keep in mind before you rush out to buy yourself a brand-new carpet.

1) Affordable, But Not The Cheapest Carpet

For one thing, a nylon carpet isn’t always going to be easy on the bank. This is arguably the only real downside of nylon carpets. They tend to come in the higher price points as far as synthetic carpets are concerned. Nylon Carpets are considered the “Mid range” when buying carpet which means they are not the cheapest, but also not the most expensive.

2) Very Soft, But Not The Softest Carpet

Another downside is that nylon carpets aren’t the softest on the market. While they shouldn’t be characterized as uncomfortable, they don’t offer the luxurious softness associated with pure wool. While they are a fantastic option for hallways or high traffic areas in general, they may not be the right carpet for rooms all about leisure and relaxation.

3) May Produce Static

Nylon also produces its fair share of static electricity, unlike polyester. This gives it a slight disadvantage in comfort compared to other synthetic fibres. Every child who went to school remembers rubbing their feet on the floor to give their friends static shocks at some point.

Luckily this is rare and only really happens during drier seasons. Many nylon floor coverings are now static resistant too!

How Much Does Nylon Carpet Cost?

Supplying and installing nylon carpets can cost anywhere from $50 – $100 per square metre in Sydney & NSW as of 2023. This includes materials, installation and a decent carpet underlayment. The large price range means nylon carpets are accessible for lower budget homes whilst also suited to luxury designer homes alike. The two main factors that affect the price of nylon carpets are the “Thickness” and “Gauge”.

How Carpet Thickness Affects Pricing

Thicker carpets feel more soft. Some of our most luxurious nylon carpets feel like a cloud underfoot. However, the thicker the carpet the more expensive it tends to be as it requires more material to manufacture. Balancing comfort and price can only be done in the showroom where you can step on the carpet in person.

How Carpet Gauge Affects Pricing

The gauge refers to how closely packed each tuft of fibre is. The closer packed together (lower gauge), the more shape retention and durable the carpet becomes. Once again, a denser carpet increases the cost as it requires more nylon material to manufacture the same square metre of carpet. It would be worth paying higher for a more resilient carpet in higher foot traffic areas.

Conclusion – Are Nylon Carpets Any Good?

Nylon carpets are absolutely worth the money if you can afford it. While they aren’t the most budget-friendly fibre on the market, nylon fibres have great quality and longevity which will outlast cheaper synthetics. In the long run, it will end up saving you more whilst you enjoy the benefits.

When you buy a new carpet made of nylon, you are paying for stain resistance, colour fading resistance, impressive durability, comfort and generally much longer product warranties.

Perhaps the most important thing you are paying for with nylon is the solution dyed nylon aspect. This makes the carpet much easier to keep clean, which can often be the nightmare of anyone with young kids and pets.

Nylon carpets are not just durable and elastic, but highly versatile as well. They can come in a huge assortment of different colours, textures and tones. This makes nylon carpeting highly attractive to individuals with a real knack for interior decorating, especially for people who love to hunt for the perfect right colour.

Contact Floor Venue for any Nylon Carpeting Needs

We hope you’ve learned a lot from today’s ultimate guide to nylon carpets. Carpet manufacturers vary when it comes to the durability and styles that are offered for nylon. Our experts are always ready to advise and assist based on your individual circumstances, taking into account your budget, requirements and job urgency.

If you’re already convinced and ready to make the next move on buying a new carpet, or if you need to feel things out a bit more and need some help or advice, contact Floor Venue at any time and we’ll make sure to help you out with any problem!