Mohawk Carpet in Willow Spring and Fuquay-Varina: SmartStrand, EverStrand or Nylon?

Fiber matters more than the style name

Mohawk carpet comes in hundreds of styles and colors, but almost all of them are made from one of three fibers: SmartStrand, EverStrand or nylon. The fiber decides how the carpet resists stains, how well it springs back after being walked on, and how it feels. Pick the fiber first, then the style and color.

SmartStrand: built-in stain resistance

SmartStrand is Mohawk's best-known carpet. It is made from a fiber called triexta, partly from plant-based ingredients. Its stain resistance is part of the fiber itself rather than a coating, so it does not wear off or wash out with cleaning. It is also very soft.

Many SmartStrand lines carry Mohawk's pet protection warranty, which covers pet accidents and stains. For families with dogs, cats or young children, that is often the deciding factor. It is the Mohawk carpet we install most often in family rooms and bedrooms.

EverStrand: recycled polyester at a lower price

EverStrand is polyester made from recycled plastic bottles. Polyester naturally resists water-based stains, has rich color and feels soft, and it usually costs less than SmartStrand or nylon.

Its weaknesses are oily stains, which polyester attracts, and crush resistance. In a busy hallway or on stairs, polyester tends to flatten in the traffic paths sooner than the other fibers. It is a good value choice for bedrooms, guest rooms and bonus rooms that see lighter traffic.

Nylon: the most resilient

Nylon springs back better than any other carpet fiber, which is why it has long been the standard for heavy traffic. Mohawk's nylon carpets are a strong choice for stairs, hallways and family rooms that get used all day.

Nylon relies on an applied stain treatment, so its stain resistance depends on the product and can reduce with time and cleaning. Nylon also tends to cost more than polyester.

Matching the fiber to the room

Fiber is only part of the answer. Twist and density decide how a carpet holds up in traffic, as we explain in our guide to choosing carpet that lasts. With those in mind, this is how we usually match Mohawk's fibers to rooms.

• ✓Family rooms and playrooms with pets or children: SmartStrand, ideally a line with the pet protection warranty.
• ✓Stairs and main hallways: nylon, or a dense, tightly twisted SmartStrand.
• ✓Bedrooms and guest rooms: EverStrand or SmartStrand, depending on budget and softness.
• ✓Bonus rooms over the garage: any of the three, with a good pad to help with temperature and sound.

Pad and installation affect the warranty

Mohawk's carpet warranties depend on more than the carpet. Most require a pad that meets minimum thickness and density specifications, and professional installation to Mohawk's guidelines. Stairs are often covered differently from flat floors under texture retention warranties, so check the terms if stairs are part of your project.

Installation also decides how the carpet looks after a few years. Carpet that is not properly power-stretched develops ripples, which is the most common problem we are called out to fix. Our post on carpet ripples and loose seams explains why. We power-stretch every installation and place seams away from traffic paths and light from windows where possible.

Mohawk carpet in Willow Spring and Fuquay-Varina

Our Angier showroom is about 15 minutes from Willow Spring and 18 from Fuquay-Varina. We carry Mohawk alongside Shaw and Karastan, so you can compare Mohawk's fibers side by side and against other brands, and we bring samples to your home if that is easier. At the estimate we measure, plan the seams and give you a written quote with carpet, pad, removal and installation listed separately. For an idea of budget, see our guide to carpet replacement costs in NC, and for the wider range, our guide to Mohawk's ranges.

APW has installed carpet across central North Carolina since 1973 with our own background-checked, trained installation professionals, and every job carries our 100% product and labor guarantee. See carpet in Willow Spring, carpet in Fuquay-Varina and carpet repair and re-stretching in Willow Spring, or book a free estimate.