Triexta. Could this be the end of nylon?

What is Triexta?

Triexta is a synthetic material developed by DuPont. While it shares many characteristics with polyester, it differs in its chemical structure, placing it within a distinct sub-category of polyester. The technical name for triexta is polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), though you might also encounter names like Sorona, which is partially made from renewable resources such as corn starch, or SmartStrand, the brand name under which it is marketed by our supplier, the Belgian brand Lano.

Triexta is renowned for its softness, durability, and stain resistance, making it a popular choice not only for carpets but also for various functional textiles.

Quality and durability

When comparing a nylon carpet with a triexta carpet of a similar level, it can be said that there are only slight differences in durability between the two. While nylon is more durable and recovers better from deformations caused by pressure, triexta offers comparable strength, and it may be that a triexta carpet can be as durable or even more durable than a nylon carpet of the same quality. Given the relatively short lifetime of the new material, it is too early to give a final verdict.

Stain resistance

Triexta is naturally stain-resistant because it is hydrophobic (water-repellent). However, it can be easily cleaned with water, which improves its environmental performance by reducing the need for chemical cleaning agents. Nylon, on the other hand, needs additional protection, and any stains can cause a significant problem if they penetrate the treatment layer. Triexta is designed to resist stains, not only through the protective layer but right inside the fibre.

A speciality in this area is the SmartStrand Forever Clean collection - a type of carpet that is superior stain resistant thanks to patented Nanoloc technology. For this reason, they are the ideal choice not only for families with children and pets but also in commercial areas with higher traffic, where easy maintenance of the floors is welcome.

SmartStrand carpets in the online catalogue

In one test, Mohawk Industries had ten large animals and 43,000 visitors walk on a triexta carpet in a zoo. After two weeks of use, the carpet was cleaned using only hot water.

Comfort

Because triexta does not need chemical treatment for stain resistance, it is usually softer and more comfortable than nylon and polyester.

Warranty

When it comes to the warranties offered on both types of fibers, triexta has the upper hand here. Warranties always vary depending on the quality of the carpet and the manufacturer, but in general, triexta carpets have longer and more comprehensive warranties than nylon carpets of similar quality.

Price

In general, triexta is cheaper than nylon. However, this does not mean that all nylon carpets will be more expensive than triexta ones. Since nylon fiber is more expensive to produce than triexta, a nylon carpet of similar quality will likely be more expensive than a triexta carpet.

Ecology

Triexta is often produced using renewable resources, which has benefits for both the environment and the quality of the indoor environment in buildings, as the carpet releases fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Although renewable resources are generally not used to produce nylon, some nylon carpets are made from recycled material, which also has environmental benefits. Both materials can therefore be considered environmentally friendly, albeit in different ways.

Summary: Nylon vs. triexta

Nylon

 ⚒️ More durable than triexta

🕐 Shorter warranty

💰 Higher price

🧪 Additional protection against soiling

Triexta

🪢 Just as strong as nylon

📃 Longer and more comprehensive warranty

🪙 Cheaper than nylon

🧽 Naturally stain resistant

Too early for a final evaluation

As we have shown, triexta has several advantages over nylon, especially in areas such as price, environmental aspects and stain resistance. However, the exception is overall durability and longevity, where nylon still leads. In the future, as triexta carpets age, it remains to be seen whether nylon will maintain its advantage in durability or whether triexta will catch up. In the meantime, it is undoubtedly a viable and valuable alternative to nylon and will be encountered in a number of implementations due to the aforementioned advantages.

Any other questions? We will be happy to answer.

Make an appointment at our showroom where we will present you with samples of materials and introduce you to the technical details of our products. We look forward to seeing you.

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