Carpet is a desirable flooring choice over hard materials like vinyl or hardwood, due to its aesthetic, level of comfort, and sound reduction qualities. However, when it comes to carpets, it’s not as simple as just picking a style or color that suits your preferences; there are a variety of factors that impact how suitable each type of carpet is for your needs.
In this blog, we’re going to compare the features, benefits and drawbacks of polyester vs polypropylene carpet.
What is polyester carpet?
Polyester is a type of man-made fiber that has been around since the 1960s, but is now the most widely-produced synthetic fiber. This is likely due to its soft feel, extensive and vibrant color range, and stain-resistance properties.
Is polyester carpet good?
If comfort and aesthetics are your main priority, polyester is the ideal choice. Polyester carpets are soft underfoot and are also known to cause fewer allergic reactions when coming into contact with skin compared to other synthetic fiber types. Polyester fibers are inherently easy to dye, meaning there’s a vast range of color options available, including bright and vibrant shades.
Although relatively durable, polyester carpet is quicker to show signs of wear and tear, specifically crushing, than other synthetic fibers. Its fibers can easily flatten under weight, making it less ideal for high-traffic areas. If you’re a landlord looking for a carpet for rental properties, bear in mind that polyester is likely to show clear signs of wear once a tenant has removed their furniture at the end of their lease agreement.
Due to chemical treatments during its manufacture, and tight construction of fabric patterns, polyester carpet has good stain-resistance properties, however, it’s important to note that spills should be promptly cleaned to avoid mold and mildew, and polyester is not resistant to oil-based spills. Cleaning polyester carpet is easy – regular vacuuming is enough to keep the carpet looking fresh, but investing in a professional carpet cleaning service is recommended every now and then to give the material a more thorough sanitization.
What is polypropylene carpet?
Another synthetic fiber, polypropylene carpet is the second-most produced after polyester. Its popularity can likely be attributed to its durability and resistance to moisture and mildew.
Polypropylene carpet pros and cons
Able to withstand heavy foot traffic, polypropylene carpet boasts a long expected lifespan with little risk of losing its shape or texture. Polypropylene fibers have lower water absorption than other synthetic options, which is a great preventative against mold and mildew.
Being such a durable material, polypropylene carpets can withstand heavy and rigorous cleaning, and have little to no risk of staining or fading. Most spills are easy to clean with an absorbent cloth (but like polyester, oil-based spills may bond to the fibers), and the carpets can be kept clean with regular vacuuming. Remember not to neglect the benefits of a professional clean though!
Polypropylene is regarded as a comfortable carpet material, however, it is not the softest underfoot out of all synthetic fibers. For the sake of this comparison, polyester tends to be slightly softer, but the difference is very minimal unless comparing low-cost polypropylene and polyester products.
Polyester vs polypropylene
As two fibers with very comparable popularity, both polyester and polypropylene are great choices for a variety of residential and commercial applications.
The cost of polyester vs polypropylene isn’t a major deciding factor, since both fiber types tend to sit around a similar price range. Polypropylene carpets can be slightly cheaper due to lower production costs, but the difference often isn’t enough to impact a decision between the two fibers.
For those more eco-conscious, it should be noted that neither fiber type is particularly environmentally friendly due to being petroleum based. However, many polyester carpets are now produced using recycled materials, and polypropylene can be recycled into new products after use.
These are the best choices out of the two, depending on your biggest priority:
- Durability: Polypropylene
- Maintenance: Polypropylene
- Comfort: Polyester
- Aesthetics: Polyester
If you’re looking to compare other types of carpet, check out our handy guides:
Whatever carpet type you choose, always have it installed by a professional to ensure maximum safety and longevity.