What is the Best Carpet Type for High Traffic Areas?

Certain areas in your home tend to receive a lot of foot traffic daily, such as your living room and the staircase. When you plan on installing a new carpet flooring in a high traffic area, you must look for a snag-free, slip-free material that can hold its shape through the test of time. 

Some may wonder if carpet flooring has many advantages over other types of floors. While all flooring products can have different drawbacks and advantages, carpet flooring has numerous benefits that make it a popular choice amongst several homes and business owners. 

Be it elegant and luxurious to comfortable and casual; carpet flooring can give you a space that entirely feels different than the rest. In addition to feeling comfortable sitting, walking, and lying on, carpet flooring provides shock absorption thanks to its cushioning and flexibility. However, most people tend to believe that carpet shows more signs of wear with time. 

Fortunately, we have good news for you: most modern carpets are ideal for high traffic usage, besides a few exceptions. This means that the final decision will come down to other factors such as your renovation budget, style, and the amount of maintenance and cleaning you are willing to do. 

To help you make an informed decision, our professionals from Nadine Floor Company will compare a few commonly-used types of carpet fibers, including wool, nylon, and polyester.

What is the best type of carpet for high traffic areas?

Types of carpet fibers

Carpets are made using thousands of fibers that are attached to a sturdy backing by machinery. These fibers can be either cut at one end (“cut-pile”) or can be stitched into closed loops (“loop carpet”) to create an indulgent and plusher texture.

Loop carpets tend to be firm, smooth, and flat, while “high-pile” cuts are looser, taller, and fluffier. 

While words like “loop” and “pile” describe the density and shape of the carpet fibers, they do not tell you what those fibers are made of. 

It is crucial to find out what materials are used to make the carpet of your choice since it will impact how you care and maintain the carpet later in life. There are four major types of fibers to select from: 

• Nylon
• Olefin
• Polyester
• Wool

Let’s explain to you in detail how each of these carpet categories work, along with a few pros and cons you need to keep in mind when weighing your decision. 

Nylon carpet 

When appropriately treated, nylon is a well-rounded fiber that delivers you numerous privileges: stain resistance, durability, and of course, a never-ending range of colors, patterns, and styles.

Not only will it maintain its shape, but it will also shield against pet stains, spills, and kids’ messes.

Olefin carpet 

Olefin, another name for polypropylene, is often used to construct both outdoor and indoor carpeting. Olefin delivers homeowners with premium qualities like moisture resistance and stain resistance as a manufactured or synthetic material. The primary drawback of olefin is that it’s a less durable option for high-traffic areas of a house. 

Wool carpet 

Wool carpets are a traditional favorite that has been in use for thousands of years. It is a timeless material that never seems to lose its appeal over time. Wool is another strong contender for any high traffic area of your houses, such as your home’s stairs or living room. It is also ideal for keeping you and your loved ones cozy during the chilly winter months. 

Polyester carpet

The scientific term for polyester is PET or polyethylene terephthalate. Like olefin, even polyester is an artificial substance that, while is durable, can be a little less robust than other materials like nylon or wool when subject to years of heavy wear and tear. 

Polyester is designed to balance performance and cost-efficiency and give you the desired premium look and feel – but without the premium price tag. Our professionals from Nadine Floor Company recommend polyester carpeting for general levels of foot traffic. 

Best high traffic carpet fibers

Most carpets manufactured nowadays can stand up to years of foot traffic, so try not to feel stressed about performance when you are shopping. 

Thanks to numerous developments in production and research, there have been many technological advancements and innovations like stain-proofing, waterproofing, and non-slip surfacing; even the most budget-friendly carpets offer homeowners a solid baseline for quality and comfort. 

With that being said, there is a wide range of carpet fibers and styles that distinguish themselves as an ideal flooring solution for high traffic areas. Some of these types include:

• Nylon carpets
• Low-pile carpets (can be made using different types of fibers)
• Wool carpet fibers

Find Wool, Nylon, and all other types of carpet flooring at Nadine Floor Company!

It does not matter what style of carpet you prefer; you will find the perfect look for your home at a competitive price at Nadine Floor Company. 

If you live anywhere in East Plano, West Plano or Frisco, we give you the option to select a premium quality flooring material that best fits your home or office needs and wants.