Wool
Wool is the most popular carpet fibre in New Zealand. It has a
soft, durable, warm feel and is flame resistant. Wool resists dirt
and can bounce back into shape. Internationally speaking wool
carpets only make up 2% of the total, however with our strong
agricultural roots wool has always been a favourite in New Zealand.
Like all natural fibres you need to be careful of exposure to
excessive sunlight or it may fade.
Nylon
Nylon is good value, it is soft, resilient and it holds colour
well. In a standard nylon carpet the colour is applied to the
outside of the fibre, much like the skin on an apple. However in a
Solution Dyed Nylon (SDN) the colour goes through the whole yarn,
like a carrot. This makes SDN carpets incredibly fade resistant.
These carpets tend to have long warranties on wear as they don't
shed. SDN is a huge growth area of the carpet market and a good
choice for areas that get a lot of sunlight.
Polypropylene
This is a hardwearing and cost effective choice. It is stain and
moisture resistant but the pile can flatten. This fibre is often
used in carpet tiles.
Blended Carpets
Blended carpets often contain the advantages of two fibres for
overall quality performance. Wool and nylon blends retain the
appearance of wool, with the hardwearing quality of nylon. It is
also a more affordable option than pure wool.
Polyester
Polyester is soft and has good colour clarity but it is not as
hardwearing as nylon. It can also mark easily and be difficult to
clean.
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