Nylon carpet has benefits that include high resilience, fibre memory, stain resistance, affordability and easy maintenance. Nylon is able to be installed in high traffic areas due to the resilience unlike polyester. The fibre memory allows for the return of the fibre to the original state after being bent and pressed down from furniture or traffic. There are two types of nylon, type 6 and type 6.6. Type 6.6 is superior as it is stronger and more durable. Water does not affect nylon carpeting, and it is resistant to mold and mildew. The downfalls to nylon carpet includes the ability for certain substances to stain the carpet, and the static it creates when walked on. Nylon is easy to clean, but can sometimes stain from food, bleach or strong acids. There is sometimes a treatment that is applied to the fibre during manufacturing that creates more stain resistance and can have anti-static properties.

Polyester carpet has come a long way since first coming on the market creating a poor name for itself. The fibre has developed significantly, it has a high fade and stain resistance and offers a luxurious feeling and has eco-friendly properties all at a more reasonable price. Because of the way the fibre has been manufactured, polyester carpets will often offer a more vibrant colour. Additional benefits of polyester carpets are the resistance to moisture, mold and mildew. Unfortunately polyester lacks in the resilience that nylon does not, which means the warranty is not as appealing. The pile tends flatten or shed, showing where the high traffic areas are. Though there is a high resistance to stains, any oil-based stains will remain on polyester fibre such as the oils on the bottom of your feet.

Plush carpets have a cut pile, but range in the pile height from style to style. This style will often be a uniform colour or have a fleck pattern to it. Saxony carpet is shorter, with slightly twisted fibres and a more uniform colour. It will show direction change of the fibre giving it a slightly different colour and appearance. Frieze carpet has fibre that is longer and highly twisted together which makes this style more durable. It also hides footprints and vacuum marks. Shag carpet is similar to frieze, but the twist is looser. Berber is a looped style or carpet where the fibre is all the same height. This creates a firm and dense surface which is ideal for high traffic areas or commercial applications.