Here are your carpet fiber choices

Fiber is the material from which carpeting yarns are made. It might be the most crucial decision you'll make because fiber has everything to do with aesthetics and performance.

Natural vs. synthetic fibers

You need to know that there are two types of fibers. Natural fibers are harvested from nature, such as animal fur or plants. Synthetics are manufactured.

Many ask us which is better, but it depends on your personal preference and budget. Natural fibers are environmentally friendly and chemical-free.

Many see synthetics as the more practical choice. This is because they're less expensive than natural–and more stain resistant.

These are the five most asked about in our carpet store.

Wool: natural and durable

Wool makes up about 3% of the market. That's because other naturals, including coir, jute, seagrass, etc., are used for mats.

Wool is durable, so it's often recommended for homes with pets. No need to worry about the white color; wool has natural oils with scales that repel dirt.

It is absorbent, however, so spills need to be wiped immediately.

Nylon: ultra strong

This synthetic is known for strength and resiliency. Resiliency is the ability to bounce back into shape after compression.

Stain resistance is excellent, especially when a protectant is used. This floor covering is a terrific choice for high-traffic rooms.

Polyester runs neck-in-neck with nylon in popularity. The stain resistance is outstanding since it’s a non-absorbent fiber.

It's also less expensive than nylon. It is, however, also less resilient and is best for moderately busy rooms without kids or pets.

Olefin (polypropylene) is durable and budget friendly. It's mainly associated with looped constructions. Triexta is known for strength and permanent stain resistance built into the fiber.

Flooring expertise since 1980

You'll first notice how much product knowledge we have at Yancey's House of Carpets. And we'll use it to help you find the right carpeting for your home.

You'll also notice our vast selection of well-known, trusted carpet flooring brands: Karastan, SmartStrand, Mohawk, etc. Visit us at our Cedar Lake, IN, location, servicing Saint John, Lowell, Crown Point, and Schererville.