Vinyl Carpets Vs Polypropylene Carpets: Similarities & Differences Between The 2 Most Popular Commercial Carpets

You often ask us what is the difference between vinyl carpets and polypropylene carpets. Are they the same? Are they different? How are they similar? How are they different?

Now seriously, vinyl and polypropylene carpets are similar, but not the same. For you to understand us, they are not as different as a mother-in-law and a mother, but neither as equal as a pair of twins.

That is why it is important to know what their similarities and differences are, in order to choose the right commercial carpet for each site and place. So we can choose the perfect carpet and leave the regret for the hotel of the holidays. Although we have already talked about vinyl and polypropylene carpets in this blog extensively, we are going to focus on them now from the comparative point of view.

Commons Between Vinyl Carpets & Polypropylene Carpets

Both types of rugs have several things in common. Namely:

• They are synthetic rugs.

• They are made of PVC or polypropylene

• They are waterproof

• They are very resistant

• and clean with water

If you look, everything they have in common has to do with the raw material with which their fabric is braided, which is polypropylene or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), in both cases. These are polymers, synthetic materials whose genealogy we will leave for scholars of chemistry. Suffice it to remember now that they are materials that combine several virtues that, if each one separately is already very good, together they are the bomb.

Those properties are malleability, impermeability and resistance. You put it all together, you put it in a blender, and what you get is a carpet with many possible textures, super resistant, that can be wet and washed with water and that lasts longer than the complete Star Trek saga. No wonder they are so successful.

Differences Between Vinyl Carpets & Polypropylene Carpets

So, you will say, what the hell are they different? We don't know what the heck it means, but how they differ we do know. Starting from the same material, the main difference is the way of braiding, and the style in which it is done.

Vinyl Carpets

What we usually call vinyl carpets (although vinyl are both) is a type of thin, smooth carpet and almost always with a rubber base.

These carpets have a single thin layer between 3 and 4 mm thick, of one piece, which either do not have braiding (they are a smooth and continuous piece) or they have braided but fine and usually heat-sealed (that is, melted by heat) with the back of rubber or rubber.

It is a very defined type of carpet, which began to be used in public places and places due to its great resistance to intensive use, but that little by little has been introduced into homes as it is extraordinarily practical, as cozy and decorative textures and wide ranges of colors were developed.

Polypropylene carpets

This is when we find the main confusion of many people regarding polypropylene carpets. Because although they share raw material with vinyl carpets, their main difference from these is that they are braided and made like a conventional carpet of organic or traditional material.

The key is in the malleability that we told you before. Because vinyl yarn can be made very fine and woven in a thousand and one ways. And so you can make polypropylene carpets of hair, small knot, jacquard type, and practically any texture or finish that you can see in a carpet of another type. Hence, many people are surprised to see a polypropylene carpet when they learn that it is vinyl, because it does not look like it at first glance, since it can look like sisal, wool or polyester.

In short: a polypropylene carpet is a vinyl carpet that goes incognito. Which brings a double advantage: the maintenance and resistance of vinyl carpets combined with the decorative possibilities of a conventional carpet.

Application of Vinyl Carpets & Polypropylene Carpets

Where To Use Each of Them?

If we analyze these virtues and all of the above, we have a very precise definition of a carpet, with a profile that is also common to both types:

• Heavy-duty rugs in the home

• Prepared for intensive use in public places

• In many cases, rugs suitable for outdoor

• Rugs with a practical spirit and easy maintenance

• Modern and very current rugs

In the home, vinyl rugs themselves are especially suitable for several places:

• living rooms and bedrooms

• Terraces, swimming pools and gardens (exterior)

• Kitchens

• interior terraces

• Hallways

Although there are still those who think that they are cold carpets for living rooms and bedrooms, the new textures and colors are convincing more and more people that they are by many concepts excellent living room carpets, especially when what prevails is the ease of cleaning.

When in the home we have problems of allergies or mobility, vinyl carpets are unrivaled by their finesse, which prevents tripping, and their ease of cleaning, even with wet mop. They don't collect dust!

And if we have pets, there are no carpets more resistant than these to withstand the charming vandalism of our beloved furry bugs. (Although remember, to the test of according to which pets there is no carpet).

In public places they are ideal for offices, waiting rooms, passage areas, corridors ... virtually for any location.

But if you still haven't convinced yourself to put a vinyl rug in the living room or bedroom, polypropylene rugs can help you in these places:

• Living rooms and bedrooms

• Hallways

• Dinning room

• Receiver

• Terrace and garden (outside)

Although really this list is too much, because polypropylene carpets have a universal vocation to be carpets for all uses.

Decorative and homely in the living rooms, resistant in the passage areas and cozy on the terrace or garden.

Outdoors it should be borne in mind that polypropylene carpets, unlike vinyl carpets, are not watertight. Yes, they are waterproof, that is, the water does not penetrate the fabric, but the water passes through, because the braiding is porous, unlike the vinyl ones, which the braiding is sealed.

For public places, polypropylene carpets provide the same as vinyl carpets, although they are not so flat or as smooth, and depending on the braiding they may not be as simple to clean as vinyl, which is passed a mop and period.

But they are warmer, with textures that perfectly mimic cozy sisal-like rugs, and can create warmer environments.

Where Should You Not Use Each of Them?

There are very few sites where you can't use one type or another. The only limitation of vinyl carpets is their Nordic appearance, sometimes austere, depending on the environments. But they have no contraindications.

Polypropylene carpets, being braided like conventional carpets, will define their use by their braiding and appearance. There are very short hair, there are completely smooth, there are thick hair, etc.

Many are suitable for outdoors, but not all. And although almost all of them are of intensive use or withstand the trot much more than similar carpets of other materials, there are differences in texture that makes them, no more delicate in terms of duration, but more or less resistant to brands, office chairs, etc.

Watertight, non-porous vinyl carpets are not recommended for underfloor heating, since in the long run they could prevent the natural "breathing" of the wood as a result of heating and cooling. Yes, they are suitable for underfloor heating in any other floor, such as tile or ceramic.

Maintainance of Vinyl Carpets & Polypropylene Carpets: How To Clean Each of Them?

None of these vinyl or polypropylene carpets should need anything other than water, and if necessary, neutral soap. Smooth surface carpets hold the wet mop perfectly.

Logically, polypropylene carpets with hair are not so easy to clean as they are not of smooth surface, but in addition to the vacuum cleaner it is also worth the damp cloth.

If you have it outdoors (those that are suitable for it) you can clean them even with the hose (without pressure, naturally). If the texture is rough and does not support the mop, the damp cloth or sponge is a perfect solution.

Do not use chemicals, which are not necessary and can even be counterproductive. In case of stains when before it acts better. Remember that the advantage of this material is that liquids do not penetrate the fabric, which is why they are so easy to clean.