Wool Carpet vs Nylon Carpet

Two of the most commonly purchased carpet styles these days are wool carpets and nylon carpets. The similarities end there though, as they each represent one end of the carpet spectrum: natural fibres versus synthetic carpet fibres respectively.

While both wool and nylon are considered great quality, they’re often chosen for very different purposes. That makes the wool vs nylon carpet debate a little more complicated.

Which one has the best comfort? Which carpet type is better suited for tight budgets? How much customization is offered by each one? If these and other questions have you wondering which is the right choice for you, here’s our FloorVenue Ultimate Guide on wool vs nylon carpets.

Carpet Comparison – Synthetic Nylon Vs Wool Carpet

When comparing natural wool to synthetic carpets, you have to keep in mind that there is no such thing as a universal best carpet. Some carpet types will be better in some circumstances and environments than others. Everything has its pros and cons.

To help you decide whether synthetic fibres or wool fibers are the choice for you, here are the top 5 categories to consider when choosing a new carpet.

Softness & Comfort

One of the most important factors for any carpet is how soft it feels beneath your feet. Soft carpets are especially important for rooms designed for relaxation like the living room or the bedroom.

When it comes to synthetic nylon carpets, they aren’t uncomfortable by any means but generally are not as soft as the natural fibres of real wool carpets.

On the other hand, natural wool fibres are famously known for being the softest carpets that money can buy. The feel of a wool carpet is unique and unmatched in this department.

Furthermore, wool carpets are known to naturally regulate the humidity of rooms and filter dust from the air. Wool offers natural benefits that synthetic nylons do not.

Not only that but wool carpets do not generate much static electricity, whereas a nylon carpet will probably give you a small jolt every now and then.

Winner: Wool

Durability & Longevity

A long lifespan is one of the most important aspects of any carpeting. No one wants to buy something that will get worn out quickly or require a replacement only within a year or two.

When it comes to nylon synthetic carpets, they’re actually one of the most durable kinds on the market. They have superior stain resistance compared to other synthetic carpets.

The problem with nylon’s durability has to do with its yarn retention. Nylon has a harder time keeping its original shape over years of use, especially if its installed in high traffic areas.

Natural fibres like wool have better shape retention. Even after years of foot traffic, it will naturally bounce back into its original fluffy shape and texture. This is because wool has natural memory and resilience that synthetic carpets lack.

A nylon carpet that’s been owned for 7 – 15 years will show its wear by flattening or wearing away, but a wool carpet will generally last upwards of 15 years before needing replacement.

Winner: Wool

Cleaning & Maintenance

As mentioned in the previous section, nylon carpets are mildew resistant and have fantastic stain resistance. Even tough spills like red wine or black coffee are fairly easy to remove as long as one acts quickly enough. Soapy hot water is all it takes to take care of most liquid spills.

Should you ever spill any food crumbs on your nylon carpet, there’s nothing to worry about with that either. A nylon synthetic carpet is very easy to clean as it doesn’t absorb messes deeply. Regular vacuuming is all a nylon carpet needs to stay clean and fresh.

Wool carpets are a different story. While they repel dirt or soil quite well, they are more absorbent so liquid spills can be harder to get rid off.

And depending on your climate, a wool carpet can attract mildew or insects easier than synthetic carpets. As luxurious as they are, this is the price one has to pay.

Winner: Solution Dyed Nylon

Health & Air Quality

One of the most commonly mentioned downsides of nylon carpets is that they can sometimes be manufactured or treated with certain chemicals that aren’t the most environmentally friendly.

Nylon carpets also generally don’t impact the humidity or air quality of the room they’re installed in. Some low quality synthetic carpets actually release volatile organic compounds which are respiratory irritants.

This is a completely different story for wool. As aforementioned in above, wool carpets improve your interior environment thanks to their natural moisture-absorbing properties. They essentially act as natural dehumidifiers, making them a perfect choice for people who suffer during allergy season.

Anyone who is highly conscious of their air quality will definitely find wool to be the right carpet for them.

Winner: Wool

Price & Budgeting

If any con exists for both wool and nylon, it’s that they are both known to be more expensive options. Nylon is well known as the most expensive synthetic fibre type compare to polyester and polypropylene carpets.

Despite this, it’s still much cheaper than wool. Nylon carpets can cost anywhere between $60 – $100 per square metre for supply and installation with underlay.

Wool carpets are known for their luxury, and luxury never comes cheap. They average $80 – $150 per square metre fully installed. Wool carpets are pretty much never considered in budget renovations as they can drastically increase the price compared to any kind of synthetic carpet.

Note that material type is only one factor that affects the cost of carpets. The pile height, carpet gauge and even your room size can affect the final price.

Winner: Nylon

What Is Wool Carpet?

As the name implies, wool carpets are made of natural materials that come from sheep and other animals. Wool carpets have a very distinct look that is thicker and fluffier than their synthetic counterparts.

With good reason, wool is widely considered a durable and highly comfortable material for carpeting. They are fantastic at providing a high-profile look to fancy offices, hotels or common areas, but they are much more expensive than your average carpet. They also offer solid durability and aren’t too hard to clean.

What Is Nylon Carpet?

Nylon carpets are one of the main synthetic carpet types. Synthetic carpets come from man-made components that are often recycled. They are generally designed to prioritize durability over comfort, however are also one of the softer synthetic fibres.

They’re also easy and quick to manufacture, which makes the prices of synthetic carpets much cheaper than carpets that use wool fibres. Solution-dyed nylon is also very stain resistant, and its durability makes it a fantastic choice for rooms or hallways with a lot of foot traffic.

Conclusion – Are Nylon Carpets or Wool Carpets Better?

Because wool and nylon carpets have so little in common, it’s unfair to select one as being objectively better than the other. Each one has its pros and cons, and determining which is the right carpet for you depends on your own needs and preferences.

If you want unmatched stain resistance, a carpet that’s simple to clean and something that will look decent without breaking the bank, nylon carpets will be a great choice.

However, if money isn’t an issue and if comfort and looks are your priority, wool carpets will be the choice to make.

If you still have any concerns about which choice to make, or if you already settled on one and want to know what the next step to make is, contact us at FloorVenue at any time. We’ll help you get started on buying and installing your very own carpeting in no time.