What to Know About Nylon Carpets

Nylon carpet remains a popular flooring option among homeowners. If you’re exploring carpet options for your home, here’s what to know about it.

What is Nylon Carpet?

Nylon is a synthetic (manufactured) material created in the 1930s as a substitute for more expensive silk. Manufacturers began using it for carpeting in the 1950s. Since then, it has gone on to become the most popular carpet material in the world.

Types of Nylon Carpet

You may hear a carpet salesperson refer to two types of nylon carpet: 6 and 6,6. The numbers refer to the different carbon structures of each nylon type. While in the past 6,6 bested 6 in quality, more recent tests reveal no noticeable differences between them. Both types are highly durable, making them a great choice for any room in your house.

The main consideration when choosing a nylon carpet is whether to go with a branded version like Stainmaster or Wear-Dated, or a non-branded version. In the past, consumer testing revealed branded nylon carpets performed better. That’s no longer necessarily true. Still, if you’re going with a non-branded nylon carpet, ask whether it was treated with a high-quality stain-resistant coating.

Nylon Carpet Pros

• Highly durable: Because it holds its own so well against wear and tear, nylon carpet typically lasts longer than most other carpet materials.

• Stain resistant: While nylon is not naturally stain resistant, most nylon carpets today are treated to help them resist stains.

• Keeps its shape: Nylon’s chemical structure keeps it from looking matted. (To keep nylon carpet looking its best, steam clean it annually.)

• Hypoallergenic: Nylon resists moisture, dirt and mildew, so it’s a great choice if anyone in your house suffers from allergies.

Nylon Carpet Cons

• More expensive than other carpet options: At $3.25 to $7.50 per square foot, nylon carpet is not the cheapest carpet option around. It’s still a steal when compared to hardwood flooring, which costs around $8 to $22 per square foot, installed.

• Static generating: Nylon tends to build up static electricity, so you might want to rethink it if you live in a dry area. (Fortunately, there are ways to reduce static electricity from carpets and other parts of your house.)

• Less soft than other carpet options: Carpet materials like wool and polyester are better options if softness is a top priority.

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