What Is Durable Carpet?
It's time to replace the worn, dreary carpeting that's served its purpose well over the years, from padding your kids' falls in their toddler years to serving as a comfortable spot to lounge for family game nights. As you shop for your next great floor, you know you want a durable carpet that will carry you through the next few milestones. You've got some choices to make, including the most appropriate carpet fiber for your needs and the style that will perfectly complement your comfortable space and cherished decor.
Most Durable Carpet Materials
- Nylon - This synthetic material is the most durable carpet fiber on the market and has been for decades. It's manufactured to be extremely resilient, including bouncing back immediately after compression. This means no footprints or vacuum marks giving away your rushed cleanup before your in-laws' surprise visit! Pet-friendly homes also benefit from nylon's moisture resistance and superior durability, especially when it's also treated for soil and stain resistance.
- Polyester - Whether you're on the hunt for playroom carpeting or a durable kitchen carpet, polyester is a perfect choice. It protects areas that see occasional moisture, like dining rooms and nurseries, with its water-resistant properties. If your kids spill in the playroom and you don't find it right away, at least you don't have to worry about stains, mold, or mildew!
- Triexta - This synthetic fiber is the newest kid on the block and one of the most durable carpet fibers available. As a subclass of polyester, triexta has an inherent colorfastness and resistance to both water and stains. Plus, it's more durable than polyester and in competition with nylon for the most resilient. With all these boast-worthy traits, you can see why triexta is considered one of the most durable carpet for pets.
- Olefin - If you want to add softness and character to a screened porch or patio, olefin is a worthwhile consideration. Though this synthetic option does show wear quickly, especially in busier areas of your home where your family members are constantly walking, its moisture-wicking properties mean muddy boots and wet sports gear won't lead to mildewy carpet or lingering odors.
Appearance
Did you grow up with carpeting in your home? If so, you've probably got an outdated view of what durable carpet can look like. As technology has evolved, so has the construction, pile height, and visual appeal of carpeting. Nowadays, some of the most durable carpet materials look luxurious and high-end! Here's a summarized breakdown of three durable carpet styles:
Loop carpet
If you're looking for carpet that can hold up to the constant in-and-out of your children, berber durability is right up your alley. It's constructed of looped carpet fibers that are densely packed together, creating a strong, uniform surface that's perfect for high-traffic areas like living rooms, hallways, and family rooms.
Cut carpet
Cut carpet is exactly as the name implies: cut carpet fibers that are sewn into the carpet backing. The exposed ends result in the cozy carpet you're likely most familiar with, whether it was the luxurious plush carpet of your grandma's formal living room or the laid-back frieze in the family room of your childhood home. The difference in these cut carpet styles is the number of twists the individual yarns have, with more twists resulting in greater durability.
Cut and loop carpet
A combination of cut and loop carpet fibers results in...you guessed it! Cut and loop carpet! Low-profile loops mix with higher-cut yarns, delivering a varied pattern or texture that adds comfort and depth to bedrooms, living rooms, and offices. The cut and loop style isn't quite as durable as all-loop carpet, but it can easily last in an active, fun-filled home.
Maintaining Durable Carpet
You did it! You found a cozy carpet that beautifully complements your home's unique design aesthetic and is guaranteed to withstand your family's messiest days. Now, what's your responsibility moving forward? Creating a weekly routine of vacuuming up any dust, dirt, hair, and other allergens will help keep your carpeting looking gorgeous for years to come.
You may need to adjust the height of your vacuum depending on whether you went with high or low-pile carpeting. Referencing the manufacturer's instructions for your specific carpet will guide you, as well as give you steps on how to handle any spots or spills that may occur.
Lifespan and Installation
After searching online and in person, you've finally found the perfect, most durable carpet! Before you sign on the dotted line, though, you want to know how long it will last. Unfortunately, there's no expiration date that prompts you to prepare for an impending flooring update, but you can expect many years of great wear from the most durable carpet material.
Once your cozy new carpeting is purchased, it's time to get it on the floor so you can enjoy it! Installation is one of the factors that can really impact how long your durable carpet actually lasts. Save yourself the headache and opt for a pro installer who will bring the right tools and follow each important step to the letter so you get a gorgeous and proper installation.
Other factors that influence your durable carpet's longevity include:
- The quality of the materials used
- How well and often you care for and maintain your carpet
- The amount and type of wear and tear it receives
- Whether you follow the manufacturer's instructions
FAQs About Durable Carpet
- What is the most durable carpet for the home? It may sound like a cop-out, but it's the truth: your family's unique needs determine what durability you really need. If you've got a pet-friendly home or one that includes adventurous, growing children, nylon and triexta are top options since they're water and stain-resistant.
- What is the best grade of carpet? Though there's no specific carpet durability rating, there are three general carpeting categories. You're probably most familiar with medium-grade carpet, which you've seen in your cousin's living room. Low-grade carpet is often referred to as builder's grade, and it's the most affordable. High-end carpet offers the most durability and quality.
- What type of carpet is the most durable? Your most resilient and stain-resistant carpet choice is synthetic nylon, which can easily withstand whatever challenges your messy toddler or rambunctious dogs come up with.
- What type of carpet is soft and durable? The softest and most durable carpet fiber you'll find today is triexta. Thanks to its inherent stain resistance, triexta doesn't need chemical treatment to protect against stains, plus it is water-resistant, so no worries when your little one overturns their cup or your potty-training pup doesn't make it outside.
