Solution Dyed Nylon vs Triexta Carpet
In this article, we talk about 2 different types of carpet options. What they are and their pros and cons.
Solution Dyed Carpet
When shopping for carpet, you may discover the phrase ‘solution-dyed.’ It correlates to a technique utilised to dye the carpet fibres, but what precisely does it involve?
There is a crucial distinction in the final products among fibres that have been solution-dyed and fibres dyed by other means. Let’s examine the concept of solution-dyed carpets and why you may consider it if you purchase a new carpet.
What Is Solution Dyeing?
Solution dyeing is a procedure applied to add colour to synthetic fibre. There are many various methods employed to dye carpet fibres. Still, essentially, they can be divided down into two categories: solution dyeing and all other techniques. This is because solution dyeing is so remote from all other processes that it really is in a league of its own.
How Is It Different?
The conventional method of dyeing fibres requires first constructing the fibre and then combining the colour. The fibre is presented in a colourless form (called a ‘greige good’ because it displays a colour someplace between grey and beige). After creation, the fibre is then dropped in the dye to apply the colour. (This is a very oversimplified summary of the method, but it presents the overall idea.)
The colour is combined with the fibre components’ liquid phase in the solution dyeing process before the fibre is formed. Synthetic fibres are produced out of chemical composites or polymers, depending on the type of fibre. To bring the method down to its most basic description, the liquid chemicals are fed into the top of the device. They are pushed through tiny holes named spinnerettes (picture a showerhead) where the liquid is pulled out, leaving the newly formed yarn.
Solution-dyed fibres have colour pigments combined directly into the polymers (chemicals) at the beginning of production. This means that when the fibre is ejected from the spinnerettes, it is already the required colour.
What About Natural Fibers?
Solution dyeing does not relate to natural fibres (e.g. wool carpets) as the fibres are already in existence. As explained above, solution dyeing involves combining colour to the chemical compound that makes up the fibre before the fibre is produced. Natural fibres are collected from their original source, so they must be dyed using conventional dyeing processes.
Why Does It Matter?
There are several advantages and benefits to solution dyeing fibres because the colour is part of the fibre and works through the complete solution-dyed fibre.
When a carpet fibre is dyed post-production (as in regular dye processes), the dye absorbs into the fibre and fills the fibre’s cells. Following being dyed, the fibre looks uniformly coloured, at least to the naked eye. Nevertheless, there are always cells in the fibre that did not ingest the dye—these are identified as empty dye sites. These are not noticeable except, maybe, beneath a microscope, but they do exist nevertheless.
To know the difference this makes, imagine a radish and a carrot. The radish depicts the traditional-dyed fibre, where the colour is outside but does not go through. (The radish is red on the exterior but white on the inside.) In contrast, the carrot is orange all the way through, in the identical way that a solution-dyed fibre has colour altogether.
Benefits
Excellent For Carpet Areas That Are Exposed To Strong Sunlight
Solution-dyed fibres are significantly more colourfast (repellent to fading or colour bleeding) than alternate fibres. This is due to the colour is secured into the fibres. So, solution-dyed fibre is an excellent choice for spaces that will be subjected to strong light. Also, because the fibres are stabilised through production utilising ultraviolet inhibitors, they are the best choice for outdoor carpet installations and areas exposed to a lot of natural sunlight inside as well.
Excellent Stain Resistance Carpet
Another massive benefit of solution-dyed fibres is enhanced stain resistance. Because traditional-dyed fibres hold empty dye sites, as explained above, they can be more readily stained. Spills are absorbed by these vacant dye sites, which make them very challenging to eliminate.
As solution-dyed fibre has no empty dye sites (since the colour goes all the way within), spills cannot be absorbed by the fibres.
Great For Commercial Carpet and Flooring Installations
So the effect is a carpet that is as close to stain-proof as is conceivable. Hence, solution-dyed fibres are fantastic for use in commercial carpets.
Triexta Carpet?
Triexta carpet is the latest and newest carpet material on the market, and it’s increasing in demand. Find out what it is and if it’s suitable for your residence.
While triexta carpet has only been about for a few years, it has fast gained its place in homes over Australia. Here, we explain why and share some vital information about the triexta carpet.
What is Triexta Carpet?
Triexta is a synthetic (manufactured) flooring produced by DuPont. While it shares many attributes with polyester, triexta has several essential variations in its chemical makeup that gives it a subclass of polyester.
You might hear triexta attributed to by three other titles:
- Poly trimethylene terephthalate (PTT) is its industrial name.
- Sorona, partly made from renewable corn sugar.
- SmartStrand, the trademark name you’ll most often find at carpet and home improvement stores.
In addition to being eco-friendly, Sorona is recognised for being soft, long-lasting and stain-resistant. This makes it a favourite material for garments as well as carpet.
Today, DuPont remains the sole producer of triexta and Sorona. Mohawk Industries uses triexta/Sorona to produce the SmartStrand carpet sold to customers.
Triexta carpets are an attractive option for those exploring a durable, long-lasting synthetic carpet with the soft, comfortable feel of natural wool. With modern advancement in carpet fibres, triexta carpets show some of the highest quality carpets now possible.
Triexta Carpet Pros
- Stain-resistant: Triexta carpet is engineered to repel stains not on its coating but in its fibre. Mohawk Industries let 10 large zoo animals and 43,000 zoo guests trample on SmartStrand for two weeks to establish its point. The result: The triexta carpet was wholly cleaned with only hot water extraction.
- It is relatively inexpensive: Triexta carpet cost averages below nylon, the most popular carpet substance, making it a very affordable option with its low budget prices.
- Water, mould and mildew resistant: Triexta carpet does not absorb water, presenting it perfect for basements and any other space that could get moist.
- Soft feel: Because triexta carpet doesn’t require a chemical application to perform its famed stain resistance, it manages to be more delicate under your feet than nylon and polyester.
- Can be eco-friendly: Corn glucose is utilised to produce up to 37 per cent of most classes of SmartStrand carpet. This presents it as an environmentally friendly flooring choice.
Triexta Carpet Cons
Can be hard to vacuum: Triexta carpet fibres are thicker than other carpet materials. The most dependable way to get your triexta carpet fresh and clean (without straining your arms) is to pick a high-quality vacuum cleaner that allows you to modify the beater brush length.
Short track record: As a comparative newcomer to the market, triexta doesn’t have a long history and may require further advice from your local carpet supplier.



