How much does it cost to install nylon carpet?

Reviewed by Adam Graham remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Carpeting the floors of your home provides a warm, soft surface while enhancing the interior design of a space. Carpet is a popular material for bedrooms, living rooms, family rooms, and other spaces where people gather and relax. It comes in many different materials, with nylon being a common choice for synthetic materials in moderate-traffic areas. Nylon is a durable, colorfast material that holds up well to daily use. It is commonly found in communal areas and children’s bedrooms but can be used in other spaces.

Like all carpet types, nylon comes in a range of different styles, colors, and patterns. The national average cost to install nylon carpet in a home is $800 to $1,400, with most people paying around $1,000 for 200 sq.ft. of cut and loop nylon carpet. The low cost for this project is $600 for a nylon Berber carpet. This project’s high cost is $1,800 for a plush nylon carpet treated for extra stain resistance.

Nylon Carpet Prices

Nylon Carpet Cost per Square Foot

Like many materials, nylon carpet has a range of costs, depending on the quality, pattern, and fiber height. Nylon typically costs between $2 and $8 a sq.ft. for the material. Better-quality carpets, ones treated for stain resistance, those containing recycled material, and ones with elaborate patterns may cost more. Installed, nylon costs between $3 and $10 a sq.ft. on average.

Cost of Nylon Carpet per Square Yard

While most carpet is installed by the square foot, it is often priced by the square yard. A square yard contains 3 square feet, making the cost of nylon carpet between $6 and $24 a square yard for the material. The installation cost per square yard is $9 to $30. Most installers and retailers have their material priced out both ways. However, you may sometimes see carpeting sold by the square yard alone. Divide this cost by 3 to calculate the square footage cost to better determine the project cost.

Nylon Carpet Prices by Type

Nylon can be found in many different types and styles. Each style has a distinct look, feel, and durability. Some may be better used in high-traffic areas while others are the best fit for bedrooms. Each type is available in different colors, patterns, and qualities.

All nylon carpet types come in two construction or nylon types - 6 and 6,6. Both types are durable and can be used in all areas of the home. Each is made from petroleum products, and they are difficult to tell apart from simply touching or viewing. The molecular structure of the nylon is different in each type, with 6 being better able to be recycled and containing recycled content, and 6,6 being slightly more durable with a higher melting point. Functionally, you will likely find no difference between the two.

Below are the available styles and their average costs. Most sellers do not differentiate between nylon 6 and 6,6, so you may find both types in each category.

Level Loop

The cost of level loop nylon carpet is $1 to $3 a sq.ft. The installed cost averages $2 to $5 a sq.ft. Nylon level loop carpet is not sold for residential use. This is typically found in commercial buildings and offices. It has a slightly longer loop than Berber carpet but is uniform in size and texture. It is very long-wearing but not particularly soft or comfortable underfoot. Because it is often sold in large quantities for buildings, it has lower costs than most other types.

Nylon Berber Carpet

The cost of nylon Berber carpet is $2 to $4 a sq.ft. The installed cost ranges from $3 to $6 a sq.ft. Berber is one of the most common types of nylon carpet. It is made of tight loops and short cut strands in some cases. It is softer and denser than level loop, making it better for residential settings. This is very long-wearing and a good choice for hallways and other high-traffic areas because it does not get as crushed as other types.

Cut and Loop

The cost of nylon cut and loop carpet ranges from $4 to $6 a sq.ft. Its installed cost averages $5 to $8 a sq.ft. Cut and loop carpeting is one of the more decorative styles. It is made from a mixture of loops and cut strands, creating a subtle pattern. The pattern emerges in the texture rather than being introduced through different colors, creating a more interesting and visually pleasing appearance. It is common to install this type in areas like the living room and bedrooms that are moderate-traffic areas but where a more decorative look is desired.

Nylon Saxony Carpet

The cost of nylon Saxony carpet averages $5 to $7 a sq.ft. The installed cost is $6 to $9 a sq.ft. Saxony is one of the most common carpet types. It is made of cut strands that are equal in length. The strands are usually twisted for better durability. When people think of carpet, they typically picture the Saxony style. This is a good material for moderate-traffic areas, such as living rooms and bedrooms.

Nylon Plush Carpet

The cost of nylon plush carpet ranges from $5 to $8 a sq.ft. The installed cost averages $6 to $10 a sq.ft. It is made of twisted strands that have been cut and twisted to create a softer, denser carpet, which is comfortable and soft underfoot. It is a popular choice for bedrooms and some family rooms. It can get crushed, however, so it tends to show footprints between vacuumings. For this reason, it is not recommended for very high traffic areas.

Multi-Level Loop

The cost of multi-level loop carpeting averages $5 to $8 a sq.ft. The cost of this material installed is between $6 and $10 a sq.ft. Multi-level loop carpeting is durable and made out of loops at varying heights. This allows you to create a pattern on the rug while helping the floor look good between vacuums. The multi-level loops create interesting and unique patterns, making it a good option for decorative areas that get more traffic, such as family rooms. It does not tend to get as crushed as plush or cut and loop styles, which makes it a more durable choice.

Velvet

The cost of nylon velvet carpet is $5 to $8 a sq.ft. The cost of this material installed averages $6 to $10 a sq.ft. Velvet carpet is very soft, dense, and plush to the touch. The fibers tend to be shorter, so it has a softer, velvety feel without crushing. This is a good option for living rooms, family rooms, and some bedrooms. It is soft and comfortable underfoot and has a uniform color and texture. Some have more fibers per inch, so they tend to be more expensive than other uniform fiber types.

Nylon Shag Carpet

The cost of nylon shag carpet ranges from $8 to $10 a sq.ft. The cost of this type installed averages $9 to $12 a sq.ft. Nylon shag carpeting is fairly rare. It is more common to find a nylon shag throw rug than wall-to-wall carpeting. Shag carpets have very long strands, so they tend to show wear and footsteps more easily. Nylon tends to be a little higher in maintenance than some carpets, making it difficult to care for. For this reason, it tends to be more expensive and difficult to find. You will have fewer options for color and style than with other nylon types.

Nylon Carpet Prices by Brand

Nylon carpeting is a popular material for its durability at a low price. Several brands make nylon carpeting, all of which have several options and price points. Each of these brands may specialize in something like stain resistance, color, or pattern that may make one a better fit for your home. Below are the average costs of some of the most popular brands of nylon carpet.

TrafficMaster Nylon Carpet

The cost of TrafficMaster nylon carpet is $2 to $4 a sq.ft. and $3 to $6 a sq.ft. installed. TrafficMaster makes many different types, including both carpet tiles and wall-to-wall carpet, with a slight texture to the surface. This helps it hold up well to high-traffic areas while being easy to clean. They do not have many options for styles or types, but they have several color choices. Their carpets are designed for heavy use, and many also have options for use in homes with pets.

Mohawk Nylon Carpet

The cost of Mohawk nylon carpets averages $2 to $5 a sq.ft. and $3 to $7 a sq.ft. installed. Mohawk is known as a good-quality, moderately priced material. They have several different types to choose from, including Berber and Saxony. They also have a line of nylon products that are treated to help them resist staining better. This is a good carpet for use in high and moderate-traffic areas.

Stainmaster Nylon Carpet

The cost of Stainmaster nylon carpet ranges from $2 to $6 a sq.ft. and averages $3 to $8 a sq.ft. installed. Stainmaster carpeting is specifically treated for use in higher-traffic areas. There are different Stainmaster products, depending on the level of use. They have products specifically geared toward people with pets and homeowners with kids. Their products tend to do well long-term, but like most nylon carpets, they still need to be steam cleaned at least once yearly.

Shaw Nylon Carpet

The cost of Shaw nylon carpet is $2 to $8 a sq.ft. The cost of this material installed averages $3 to $10 a sq.ft. Shaw has some of the most options available for nylon carpet. They have different grades, with their higher-grade choices wearing longer and resisting staining better. They have a full range of colors and styles to choose from. This includes one line that comes in many vibrant colors that are perfect for bedrooms.

DreamWeaver Nylon Carpet

The cost of DreamWeaver nylon carpet ranges from $2 to $9 a sq.ft. The cost of this material installed is $3 to $11 a sq.ft. DreamWeaver makes a wide range of nylon carpets. They are available at many big box stores and higher-end retailers. They have many patterns and decorative carpets to choose from. They also have many solid colored and subtle patterns. Dreamweaver makes many lines that are specifically designed for pets and high and moderate-traffic areas.

Lifeproof

The cost of Lifeproof nylon carpet is $3 to $9 a sq.ft. and averages $4 to $11 a sq.ft. installed. Lifeproof is a brand made exclusively for Home Depot. This carpet has a wide range of options. They have many high-end decorative types to choose from. They also have plainer and more subtle carpets. Lifeproof carpets are designed to be stain and crush-resistant. They hold up well in most areas and can be installed in hallways and other high-traffic areas.

Labor Costs to Install Nylon Carpet

Nylon carpet is fairly easy to install and averages $1 to $2 a sq.ft. in labor costs. Nylon is installed over a carpet pad and is stretched tightly and vibrated into place to help smooth out any wrinkles before being tacked down. It can usually be installed within a few hours.

You may have higher costs if you have existing carpet that must be pulled up and disposed of before installation. You may also have higher costs if you have baseboards that must be removed and replaced for the installation to take place. Because of the vibration needed for stretching the carpet, it is recommended that nothing be on the walls of the room. If the installer needs to remove things, this may increase your costs.

Pros and Cons of Nylon Carpet

Nylon is considered a good-quality, affordable carpet type. It is made of petroleum products, so it is not considered a green or sustainable option. It resists staining well on its own but can be easily crushed. To help maintain its appearance, it requires more maintenance than some types. It may not last as long as other materials and cannot be easily recycled after use. But nylon is considered very durable and does not fray as easily as some carpet materials.

Most nylon has built-in static protection. For families wanting a carpet in a family room with many electronics, an anti-static carpet can be a good option.

Maintenance

In many ways, the maintenance of nylon carpet is much like other materials. It should be vacuumed regularly to remove debris and surface dirt and soil. While many nylon carpets have been treated for stain resistance, you should still mop up spills as soon as they are noticed. This helps prevent the liquid from penetrating deeper where it may stain.

It is generally recommended that you have your nylon carpets steam cleaned at least once yearly. This helps them maintain their appearance and reach their maximum lifespan.

Wool vs Nylon

There are many carpet fibers on the market. In addition to nylon, another popular choice is wool. While nylon is a synthetic material made from petroleum, wool is a natural material. Wool is often not treated with any chemicals, so it is frequently non-toxic, sustainable, and biodegradable. This means that wool is a green or eco-friendly carpet while nylon is not.

Nylon is much less expensive than wool, although in some ways, it may be more durable. Nylon needs to be steam cleaned more regularly than wool, but it can resist staining better than wool, which is more absorbent. Both materials come in a wide range of colors and styles.

Nylon vs Triexta

Another material to consider with nylon is triexta. Triexta is also a synthetic carpet material. It is a more updated polyester type, which is also made from petroleum products but does not have air between the molecules. This tends to make polyester materials like triexta more durable and more resistant to wear and staining than nylon.

However, nylon has been around for longer. It has a better-known reputation while triexta is still relatively new. Triexta tends to be slightly less expensive than nylon and usually has a better warranty. It is marketed under the name Smartstrand by Mohawk.

Both materials come in a wide range of colors and patterns. Of the two, nylon is available in more locations.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Nylon Runners for Stairs

If you have nylon carpeting in your home, you may want to extend this material to your stairs. You can have the same wall-to-wall nylon installed on your stairs or use a runner. The average cost of a nylon runner installed ranges from $757 to $857 for an installed 22-linear-foot nylon runner.

Radiant Heating

You can install radiant heat beneath your new nylon carpet. Radiant heat warms the people and objects directly, rather than heating the air. You may need to increase the amount of heat when installing beneath carpet, but this is possible. The cost of radiant heating ranges from $10 to $25 a sq.ft.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Warranties. Nylon carpets can come with a range of warranties. Ideally, you want the longest-lasting available to ensure your carpet lasts. Nylon typically has warranties for 10 to 15 years.
• Environment. Nylon is made from petroleum, which means it is not as sustainable as other materials. However, it can contain recycled content, and older carpets may be recycled into newer ones, reducing its environmental impact.
• Thresholds. When installing your carpet beside a room with another flooring or against an exterior door, you will need to have a threshold installed to make the transition to the next space.
• Replacement. Nylon carpet needs replacing every 12 to 15 years on average. You can help it reach its fullest lifespan by steam cleaning it yearly.