What Type of Carpet Is Durable?

Nylon

• Two types of nylon carpet are sold: nylon 6 and nylon 6,6. Both types of nylon fibers are durable, abrasion resistant and have a high texture retention rating, but you need to understand other factors about nylon carpet to determine if it is durable overall. You can use durable nylon carpet in high-traffic areas, such as your stairs or a kid's room or family room and expect a good carpet performance, according to the CRI. But nylon fibers in nylon carpet are impacted by the construction of the carpet too.

Triexta

• Triexta carpet fibers are also durable, resilient and have a high texture retention rating, according to CRI. In addition, this carpet fiber holds its color well and resists staining. Like nylon carpet fibers, triexta carpet products can be used in areas that get a lot of adult and child foot traffic if tuft density and yarn twists are high.

Cut Pile

• Carpet fiber is but one aspect of carpet durability. Carpet construction (such as cut pile and loop products) is another. Your nylon or triexta fiber carpet -- made into a cut pile or loop construction style -- is only as durable as its tuft density and yarn twists. For example, just as fine thin hair appears lighter and less full, so does nylon carpet with a low tuft density (thin) and few yarn twists. On the other hand, just as thick hair and lots of curls expands the hair area surrounding the human head, so too does carpet with lots of tuft density (thickness) and yarn twisting (like hair curls). More dense carpet fiber tufts and more yarn twists help make carpet plusher and full to withstand greater foot traffic.

Level Loop Pile

• Level loop carpet pile is just the opposite of cut pile, which is cut straight across the top of the carpet yarn. Level loop consists of the yarn being attached to the bottom of the carpet backing and then being looped to the back again, kind of like a stitch by a seamstress. While there are several types of loop carpet (cut and loop, which is a combination of loops and cut pile, and multi-looped, which is loops of varying heights), it is the loop pile of one height that offers the most durability. Berber carpets are an example of a level loop carpet pile.