Olefin (Polypropylene) Carpet Fiber

Olefin Carpets Pros and Cons

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Characteristics of Olefin



Olefin is valued in the carpeting industry for its wool-like appearance. For this reason, it is often used in looped berber styles and in area rugs, both of which are commonly made from wool. Olefin’s finish can range from low lustre (matte) to a high sheen.


Olefin fiber is not as resilient as other fibers, meaning that it does not have the same ability to “bounce back” after being compressed by foot traffic. Because of this, it is typically used in looped styles of broadloom, such as berbers and level-loop commercial carpets. Specifically, low-pile, tightly looped styles of olefin offer the best durability.


Staining vs. Soiling

The issue of stain resistance can be a bit confusing when it comes to olefin, because to truly understand how an olefin carpet will perform under certain conditions, you have to first understand the difference between staining and soiling.



    Stain Resistance of Olefin - Good



    Soil Resistance of Olefin - Poor

    However, olefin is also oleophilic, meaning that it attracts oils. In fact, polypropylene is often used to help clean up oil spills in lakes and oceans, by skimming a polypropylene net across the surface of the water to soak up the oil.



    (This is good advice for all types of carpet.)

    Outdoor Applications for Olefin Carpeting


    Use in Basements

    Many homeowners choose olefin for damp basements, because of its quick-drying and mold-resisting qualities noted above. In exceptionally moist basements where the threat of mold is high, an outdoor carpet made from olefin is the best option.  See more about choosing the best carpet for the basement.

    Cost of Olefin Carpets

    The cost to produce olefin is lower than the cost to produce many other fiber types, so overall, olefin carpet will be considerably less expensive than carpets made of nylon or even polyester.

    Of course, an olefin carpet will generally not last as long as a nylon carpet (depending, as always, on the other factors that affect performance) so the immediate savings in the cost of olefin may not be true long-term savings. However, for renovations in which budget is the primary consideration, olefin can typically offer the lowest price point in residential carpet.

    Olefin Carpet Fiber Overall
