Carpet is the unsung superheroes of our homes, offering comfort and warmth for family friendly flooring. But choosing the best carpet for your home is a daunting task. Between appearance, fiber type, resilience, and style, two of the most valued factors by carpet purchasers are durability and longevity. Taking into account all the variables, here we look at what is the longest wearing carpet type.
The Carpet Fiber Type
Nylon and wool have been proven to be some of the strongest of carpet fibers in the world.
Wool carpets are made of a natural fiber that’s generally very warm and cozy. Wool carpets have a huge number of benefits that make them highly prized, however they can be costly when compared to other options. Wool carpets can be ideal for bedrooms where you want the comfort and safety of a natural fiber, but there is less movement and traffic to dirty carpets.
Nylon fiber carpets are some of the toughest and most resilient, and being more economical than wool, they’re also very popular. Nylon carpets can withstand the sun, pets, vacuuming, heavy traffic and children. Nylon fibers are easy to clean, are resistant to wear and abrasion, and quickly bounce back from being crushed. Type 6.6 nylon carpets have always been considered the premium choice, offering the highest level of durability.
The Weight And Density Of The Carpet
Interior designers say that the denser the carpet, the greater its durability. In fact, carpet density is one of the most important specifications for durability. Density is a combination of carpet face weight and pile height. It’s an indication of the total volume of carpet fibers your carpet contains in a unit of area.
Carpets with a durability rating of 2,200 or above have the best durability and are projected to remain attractive for over 12 years. Carpet density helps your carpet stand up to wear and allows carpets to bounce back from traffic or weight sooner. Choosing the right density for your carpet depends on identifying how you use your carpet and the kind of traffic your floors receive.
The Twist Level Of The Carpet
Twist level is the number of twists in a one-inch strand of carpet. The greater the twist level the more durable the carpet, as more twists help to reinforce the carpet strand. Carpets with a twist level of at least 5 or more are recommended for optimum performance, but a twist level of 7 or more offers greater durability.
Lower twist levels mean the carpet won’t bounce back as quickly, unraveling and looking shabbier sooner than expected.
The Carpet Color
While color doesn’t directly affect the structural durability of the carpet fiber, it can influence the long-term appearance of the carpet.
Of course, it’s important to choose a carpet color that matches your tastes and interior design. However, light colored carpets can be more prone to showing stains and wear than darker colored carpets. Neutral colored carpets are best to both conceal stains and prevent fading that can happen with wear over time in dark colored carpets.
With the right selection and care, your carpets can last in top condition for over 15 years. Balancing your taste and style with the more practical factors is essential, so speak with a flooring expert to help find the most durable and longest wearing carpet for your home.
