About 97% of carpeting is made from synthetic fibres which are more resistant to stains and much less expensive than natural materials. The other 3% are natural fibres which tend to resist crushing from traffic. There are 6 primary types of fibres used in rugs: Acrylic, Nylon, Olefin blends of Nylon & Olefin, Polyesters (new & recycled), and Wools.  

Acrylic fiber is known as man-made wool because it is an artificial fiber that provides the look and feel of wool at a fraction of the cost. Advantages of acrylic are that it resists static electricity, moisture, mildew, fading, crushing, staining, and sun damage. It is not however durable enough for high traffic areas.

Blends are typically made from nylon and olefin. This blend is resilient but the different fiber types often resist stains unevenly. Stains will often stand out prominently with these blends.

Nylon is the strongest fiber of all the carpets, with excellent resistance to abrasion, insects, molding, mildew, rot, and many chemicals. It is easy to maintain and dye, while upholding its color admirably. Nylon is durable and static free, maintains fiber height, and resists soiling or staining. All of which makes it the most popular carpet fiber by far (90%) for homes and heavily favored (65%) for all uses – both residential and commercial. Nylon carpet is usually moderately priced, not quite as expensive as wool, but more expensive than polypropylene, and polyester. Nylon carpet of mid-level and higher quality can last up to 12 to 15 years.

Olefin (polypropylene) is the next-best seller after nylon, making up about 80% of commercial carpet installations. Olefin fibres are colorfast, strong (resisting abrasion), mildew & moisture resistant, and easy to clean (bleach can be used safely in some cases). It is suitable for high traffic areas – even actually used for artificial sports turf. Less expensive than wool, nylon, and polyester, Olefin/polypropylene continues to gain popularity. Polypropylene is not exactly ‘crush resistant’ and can be prone to matting, crushing, and general scuffs, depending on the pile cut.

Polyester does not hold its fiber height under traffic and shifting weight as well as other carpet fibres. Polyester has a luxurious feel, is durable against abrasions, resistant to water soluble stains and easy to clean. Polyester can fade with bright sunlight.

Polyester/PET or Polyethylene Terephthalate carpet has bright colours and is available in many textures. It is more stain resistant than nylon carpet and at least as resistant to mold and mildew. It is also non-allergenic. Some of it (if not all) is made from recycled bottle caps…about 50 soda bottle caps go into a square yard of carpet. Polyester/PET is also quite inexpensive, less than wool, and nylon. Since it is actually made of plastic, it would be a good idea to first test this in a single room to see how you like it, before going all out with this environmentally friendly carpet.

Wool is a purely natural product — luxurious, strong, and stain resistant. It maintains its fibre height very well. Soft to the touch and very dense, wool has a more comfortable feel than other carpet fibres; plus it will hide soil to a much greater effect than other synthetic fibres, mainly in part due to its opacity (other fibres are clear, and thus soil can be seen through it). Wool is also quite durable, and easily dyed in many colours. It is an excellent choice for its rich appearance and luxury image; however, it must be maintained properly. It does tend to fade in sunlight, has low-resistance both to stains and to the chemicals used to remove stains. Unlike the synthetics, wool can attract and suffer damage from moths, beetles, and other types of insects.

Moisture is the enemy in a carpeted bathroom. Therefore, your best bet is to pick a material that will be less absorbent and will dry out quickly. Generally, this means opting for synthetic carpeting like nylon or Olefin, which are both mildew and stain resistant. Under no circumstances should you use wool.

It is important for you to take in to account properties of each carpet whilst shopping. You should look at the thickness, resilience and material of the carpet. It is ideal to opt for a darker coloured carpet for areas that are likely to endure high levels of footfall. Carpets made from Polypropylene, Polyamide and Wool are all super hard-wearing and durable.

Maintenance of your carpet can extend its life, however carpet that endures high levels of footfall will inevitably need replacing at some point. Some signs that your carpet needs replacing can be seen below:

● Stains

● Wear and tear

● Uneven and wrinkling

● Increase in allergy symptoms 

Preparation is key and measuring the area of flooring required for stairs holds great importance. Measure the height and depth of each stair to give you the length before multiplying by the width. Measure up twice, plus remember to add an extra 10% for waste and margin of error – Stair cases can be difficult. For accurate measurements why not book a free no obligation home consultation? Our experts will provide you with measurements, guidance and advice.

Your carpet may show footprints or compression marks if the pile of the carpet has been disturbed. Carpets with a deep pile will inevitably bend during use. The colour of the pile will have a different appearance on the side to that seen end on. During use, the pile of the carpet will be randomly disturbed. Light and dark patches will be visible depending on the angle of the pile in relation to where you are situated within the room. This is most typical of a deep pile Saxony carpet.

Yes, a must, if you are having a hessian backed carpet layed - the underlay cushions the carpet and gives the pad to allow the carpet to be stretched properly. The underlay will also deaden noise (stairs, wooden floors) and offer increased thermal insulation. A properly fitted carpet will also last much longer.

Routine cleaning involves sweeping, dust mopping, or vacuuming using the bare floor setting to remove dust and dirt. Clean spills immediately with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Don’t use wet mops or steam mops, which will damage the finish and the wood over long periods of time.

Never use solid wood flooring with underfloor heating. Planks of solid wood are not stable enough to deal with the changes in temperature and can become severely damaged. Engineered hardwood flooring looks exactly the same as solid wood flooring once you have installed it.