Intro
In our previous blog, we discussed the pros and cons of a variety of different natural rug fibers. We learned that there are great upsides to each type of natural fiber, but that each come with characteristics that make that rug the incorrect choice for you. In this post, we will be looking into synthetic rug fibers in the same light. You’ll see that just like natural rugs, synthetic rug fibers have a range of positives and negatives, all that must be weighed upon before selecting the right rug for you.
Nylon Rugs
The first fiber we will discuss is nylon. Nylon is a plastic type fiber that comes from crude oil. Nylon is a fiber used in more than just rugs. It can be found in clothing, and it has a variety of industrial uses. Nylon is popular for a variety of reasons, but it also comes with an issue or two that need to be thought about before purchasing a nylon-based rug.
Pros of Nylon Rugs
One of the reasons nylon is such a popular rug fiber is because of its strength. Nylon is one of the strongest rug fibers by a variety of people. The fiber can bounce back easily, helping keep its fiber height. It’s also static free, holds color well, and can withstand mildew, insects, and other objects of concern well. Overall, nylon is a great and durable rug fiber, perfect for a variety of homes. But like all fibers we’ve talked about, they aren’t perfect.
Cons of Nylon Rugs
Thankfully, nylon doesn’t come with that many problems. One of the biggest concerns about nylon is the price point. In comparison to other synthetic rug fibers, nylon will run more expensive than others. Nylon also has staining problems at times, but with a stain treatment, it should be able to handle those issues.
Nylon is a solid choice for many homes. If the cost doesn’t seem to be an issue in your rug buying adventure, nylon might be the best fiber selection for your next rug purchase. There are other rug choices though, so continue reading to learn about them.
Polyester Rugs
The next rug fiber to discuss is polyester. Polyester is made by a chemical reaction between air, petroleum, and water. Like nylon, polyester is a plastic material that is used in a variety of different places, not just rugs. Polyester can be used for clothing, tires, pillows and a wide range of other items. Polyester comes with an assortment of positives, but like nylon, has a negative or two that must be considered.
Pros of Polyester Rugs
Synthetic rug fibers are known to not be very environmentally friendly in comparison to natural rug fibers. Polyester though, is one of the best in the synthetic rug department. Plenty of polyester rugs today are made from recycled materials. Polyester rugs are also naturally stain-resistant to water-based stains. Both of these pros are two of the areas in which nylon isn’t as good at, so it’s worth considering a polyester rug as well when making a purchase.
Cons of Polyester Rugs
Polyester isn’t perfect though. While it has made some upgrades over the years, polyester fiber rugs still are not as strong as nylon ones. They can unravel and are susceptible to wear over time, something that some of the other fiber rugs won’t have to worry about. They also have a static issue, so if you aren’t a fan of being shocked, you may want to stay away from polyester.
Polyester is as good of a rug fiber choice as any. But they also have some concerns specific to them that may cause you to look in another direction. If you want a synthetic rug, that’s cheaper than nylon, than you may want to consider a polyester fiber rug.
Polypropylene Rugs
Polypropylene is another very popular type of synthetic rug fiber. The rug fiber is a thermoplastic that comes from a combination of oil and natural gas. Like the other synthetic rug fibers, polypropylene can be found in more than just rugs. It is used for items like food containers, prescription bottles, and bottle caps. Polypropylene comes with a variety of pros and cons much like the other rug fibers we’ve mentioned in the past.
Pros of Polypropylene Rugs
Like nylon, polypropylene rugs are quite a bit cheaper than rugs made with other fibers. So, if price is a concern, polypropylene could be the right rug fiber for you. They are also very easy to maintain, and are stain-resistant, making them a great rug choice for any room where you might have spill concerns. Polypropylene rugs are a great choice for most buyers, but let’s discuss some of the cons so you can be sure it’s the best selection for your home.
Cons of Polypropylene Rugs
Polypropylene rugs do have a problem or two that you may want to keep in mind before purchasing them. One of those issues is sun-resistance. Polypropylene rugs are prone to fading if left in the sunlight for a long period of time. They are also heat and friction sensitive, so if you drag furniture across them for example, they may take some irreversible damage.
Polypropylene is still a solid choice even with these concerns in mind. But its important to know about them before purchasing one. Polypropylene is durable, easy on the wallet, and has plenty of color options, making them as good of a choice as any.
Conclusion
Similarly, to natural fiber rugs, we have learned that synthetic fiber rugs have their own list of positive and negatives. Like any purchase, rugs all come with pros and cons that need to be weighed. We hope you found this list, as well as the natural fiber rugs pros and cons list useful in your buyer’s journey. All rug fibers are great, but not everyone is perfect for the room you are looking to add to. Please use this list to separate the perfect choice from an okay selection.
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