Polyester Carpet Pros and Cons: Here’s What To Know

By Samuel N •  Updated: 10/28/22 • 

Polyester is one of the cheap carpet fiber options available in the market. Polyester, like nylon and polypropylene, is a synthetic carpet fiber. PET polyester is made from recycled materials such as plastic bottles. This makes it an eco-friendly carpet for all green lovers out there,

If you’re looking to buy a polyester carpet, how do you know it will serve you for years to come? In this post, I’ll review the pros and cons of a polyester carpet to help you decide if it fits your needs.

Pros of Polyester Carpet

Budget Friendly

Polyester is a very cheap synthetic carpet fiber to manufacture. This is the main reason why polyester fiber carpets are cheap compared to the likes of nylon fiber carpets. The range of polyester carpet per square ft is usually $1 to $3, compared to nylon which is much more expensive at $3 to $12 per square ft.

Being a budget-friendly option, polyester is good if you’re flipping your home or looking to get a carpet for your spare bedroom. It can also be used in moderate traffic areas, such as the Berber loop pile if the carpet pile allows it.

Stain and Water Resistant

Apart from the affordable price, polyester is one of the market’s best stain and water-resistant carpet fibers. Polyester fibers are closed-cell and hydrophobic. This makes it harder to absorb stains and, at the same time, also repels liquids.

When you accidentally spill a liquid on a polyester carpet, you don’t have to worry much about it. This also makes polyester carpets good candidates for moisture-prone areas. However, you should keep polyester carpets from oil and grease stains, which will be harder to remove.

Soft and Comfortable

Polyester makes one of the softest carpets around. It has a velvety softness that makes it very comfortable to walk on. It also delivers a touch of luxury because of its soft nature. Polyester is one of the top choices if you’re on a budget and looking for a soft carpet.

Eco-Friendly

PET polyester is a very eco-friendly carpet option compared to other synthetic carpet materials. This is because PET polyester comes from recycled water bottles, bottle caps, and other non-biodegradable items such as tires. Reusing these materials by making polyester carpets reduces the waste in our landfills and helps conserve mother nature.

After usage, polyester carpets can be recycled again, which limits the number of worn-out carpets in our landfills. This is eco-friendly compared to nylon carpets which cannot be recycled at the end of their lifespan.

Cons of Polyester Carpet

Less Durable

It is cheap and budget-friendly to buy a polyester carpet. However, first, you should know what to expect when using it. Polyester carpets are not durable and will show signs of wear and tear when subjected to high foot traffic.

However, its durability will depend on the amount of traffic it receives. If you’re using a polyester carpet in a spare bedroom with less traffic, it should last for a long time.

Lacks Resiliency

Nylon carpets fibers are the best when it comes to resiliency. This is the ability to maintain its texture retention. When subject to foot traffic, nylon will easily return to an upright position. However, this is not the case with polyester carpets.

As time goes on, a polyester carpet will crimp and twist. This causes matting and tangling, which makes the carpet look older and worn out. Polyester is a very soft fiber, and if you have a decent amount of traffic in any area, don’t use a polyester carpet. If you use a polyester carpet in a high-traffic area, don’t expect it to last many years. See the comparison of nylon vs polyester carpet fibers.

Is a Polyester Carpet Right for You?

Polyester is a soft carpet that is great for low-traffic areas. Its high stain and water resistance also make it great for moisture-ridden areas. However, it’s not as durable and will wear down quickly if subject to high or heavy foot traffic.

Samuel N

Samuel N is the founder of Improve Floor and has been in the flooring industry since 2005. Since then, his mission has been to make flooring easier for everyone. He helps countless people with flooring installation, finishing, maintenance, and repairs each year.