Triexta vs. Nylon Carpets: Which is Better?

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Triexta vs. Nylon Carpets

Triexta vs. Nylon Carpets: Which is Better?

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Nylon and triexta are the best synthetic fibers in the carpeting industry. Both materials offer better specs compared to polyester and acrylic. Despite having similar characteristics, each fiber has its perks and downsides.

Comparing the two carpet fibers helps you choose the best type for your home.

Triexta Carpets at a Glance

Triexta carpets consist of a synthetic fiber developed by DuPont under the brand name Sorona. The fiber is a subclass of polyester known as polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT).

Though it’s a new fabric, triexta is a high-performance carpet fiber. As a result, it has gained popularity in the carpeting industry. Triexta is more durable than polyester, with characteristics comparable to nylon.

Nylon Carpets at a Glance

Nylon is the most durable synthetic fiber for carpets. Due to its high resilience, nylon bounces back when stretched. Nylon fiber withstands high foot traffic and does not show signs of wear for years.

Treating high-quality nylon carpets makes them stain and soil-resistant. They’re popularly known as STAINMASTER™ carpets. Nylon is also the best carpet fiber for homes with pets and kids.

The two types of nylon carpet fibers are nylon 6,0 and nylon 6,6. Nylon 6,6 contains double strands of carbon atoms, thus the name. Many industry experts prefer nylon 6,6 over nylon 6,0.

Nylon 6,6 is more durable and generates less static electricity. Although nylon 6,0 lacks durability, recycling is easier than nylon 6,6. It undergoes cradle recycling, which remakes new carpets from old nylon fibers.

Comparison Between Triexta and Nylon Carpets

1. Price

A triexta carpet is cheaper than a nylon carpet of similar quality. Because nylon is more expensive to produce than triexta, nylon carpets are more costly. Triexta carpets are comparable to or even outperform nylon’s durability, according to manufacturers.

While triexta carpets cost between $2 and $6 per square foot, nylon equivalents cost between $4 and $7. Soft triexta carpets are more costly than standard triexta ones. SmartStrand Silk Reserve offers more durability, coziness, patterns, and colors than the standard SmartStrand.

2. Warranties

Triexta manufacturer Mohawk industries provide extended and more comprehensive warranties for triexta carpets. They include lifetime stain and soil warranty for both nylon and triexta fibers.

Mohawk’s SmartStrand carpets feature a 25-year warranty for texture retention. The warranty also covers fade resistance, wear, and defects. Their nylon collection, UltraStrand, features a 20-year warranty.

3. Stain Resistance

Stain resistance is a natural characteristic of triexta fibers, unlike nylon. Nylon carpets must undergo chemical treatments to make them stain-resistant. Solution-dyeing nylon fibers make the carpets resist stains from liquid spills. However, this property is rare in some nylon carpets.

Triexta carpets don’t need topical stain treatment. You only need cold water to remove most stains from a triexta carpet. Overall, solution-dyed nylon and triexta have excellent stain resistance. Both carpet fibers are ideal for households with pets and kids.

4. Quality & Tensile Strength

Nylon and Triexta fibers make good quality carpets. Some manufacturers claim that triexta offers better performance than nylon. Nylon has a high impact resistance and stretches up to 33% of its length. The carpet fibers bounce back to shape when stepped on or vacuumed.

Triexta also has high resilience. Its tensile strength is lower than polyester and nylon fibers. Steaming carpet fibers at least once a year revives their texture and increases longevity.

5. Eco-Friendliness

DuPont’s Sorona fibers are derived from corn sugar in place of petroleum. As a result, 37% of Mohawk’s SmartStrand carpet consists of corn. Production of triexta requires 30% less energy than other synthetic fibers. Triexta emits less toxic gases than nylon.

Nylon fibers come from petroleum products which emit harmful gases during production. Synthetic fibers are less sustainable than natural fiber carpets which are biodegradable. Some nylon carpets contain recycled yarn, reducing waste in landfills.

6. Carpet Texture

Carpet manufacturers are now making nylon fibers thinner to achieve a smooth texture. While the carpet attains a soft texture, its strands are less resilient. When buying a carpet for high-traffic areas, choose a standard nylon carpet over soft nylon.

Triexta, on the other hand, is naturally soft. The plush carpets have a high carpet density, which results in a very soft underfoot.

Pros and Cons of Triexta Carpets

Pros:

• Inexpensive: Triexta carpet prices are comparable to polyester carpets. They’re a more cost-effective option than nylon and have similar qualities.
• Stain and soil resistant: Triexta carpets don’t absorb liquid stains into the fibers. Notable brands offer a lifetime guarantee for stain and soil resistance.
• Soft texture: Triexta fibers are soft to touch and comfortable underfoot. SmartStrand Silk Reserve has a very smooth texture similar to silk.
• Water & mold resistant: Triexta is hydrophobic, so it doesn’t absorb moisture. Since mold needs a moist environment, it does not thrive on triexta fiber. Triexta is the ideal carpet for basements and moist areas in your home.

Cons:

• Challenging to vacuum: Since triexta carpets have a very dense pile, it’s often difficult to vacuum them. When using a triexta rug, get a high-quality vacuum with an adjustable beater bar.

Pros and Cons of Nylon Carpets

Pros:

• Hypoallergenic: Low-pile nylon fibers are the best carpets for allergy and asthma sufferers. Nylon resists mold and moisture and causes pollen to dry out.
• Recyclable: old nylon carpets are recycled into new ones through cradle recycling. The cost of recycling a nylon carpet is lower, and it also reduces waste that ends up in landfills.
• Durable: Nylon is the most hardwearing synthetic carpet fiber. Nylon carpets have high resilience and maintain their original appearance for years. Solution-dyed nylon carpets are also stain-resistant and colorfast.
• Easy to maintain: Vacuuming your nylon carpet twice a week keeps the fibers free from dust and allergens. You can also use a steam cleaner and detergent for deep cleaning.

Cons:

• Holds static electricity: Nylon fibers build up static electricity from friction. There are better choices for dry areas.
• Pricier: Nylon carpets are more expensive than other synthetic types. Despite being the most costly, nylon is also the most durable. Its durability and resilience make nylon popular in residential flooring.

Nylon and triexta carpets are both good quality carpet fibers. If you’re more concerned about the texture and feel, choose a soft triexta carpet. Triexta also has an advantage over nylon in stain and abrasion resistance.

Nylon is a durable carpet type suitable for high, medium, and low-traffic areas. When buying a carpet, always consult with the salesperson for the best fiber quality.