In short, you betcha. It’s all about the production of nylon, which is the base fiber in approximately 75 percent of carpets made today. Let’s start with a little history.

In the late 1920s, DuPont was commissioned to develop an alternative to silk, primarily for use in women’s hosiery. Nylon was born in 1938, making stockings more affordable and fashionable leading into the World War II era.

But then there were shortages. Do you remember the stories about girls using eyeliner to draw black lines down the backs of their legs so it looked like they were wearing stockings? Why was nylon scarce at wartime? Its base material was being used to make fuel for fighter jets.

That’s right—nylon is made from petroleum, the same thing in gasoline. The nylon in carpet is pretty much pantyhose on steroids, and it certainly has its benefits. Nylon is:

• Durable
• Easy to clean
• Stain and fade resistant
• Abrasion resistant
• Versatile—can be designed for use indoors or out
• Low priced

Well…Nylon typically has a low price tag. But, when the cost of petroleum goes up (think war in the Middle East) carpet soon follows suit. We’re expecting another price increase in the next few days.

It’s gotten to the point that carpet and wood flooring aren’t all that different in price, hence the spikes in hardwood sales. In order to survive, carpet manufactures are having to find different, equally durable materials to compose carpet.

Manufacturers have found great success with polyester. No, I’m not talking leisure suit polyester. I’m talking recycled plastic bottles reworked into a strong, resilient fiber.

In our store, we are getting the most buzz from a product called SmartStrand. Polyester, is blended with renewable sources—namely corn sugar—to produce a sturdy product that’s easier on the environment. Production reduces greenhouse gas emissions and uses less energy.

This energy decrease results in approximately one gallon of gasoline saved per every seven square yards of carpet. Is SmartStand the Prius of carpet? It just may be.

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Renee LeCroy is the Flooring Expert at Don’s Carpet One in Birmingham, AL. For 17 years, she’s been the consumer’s in-store advocate, decoding the flooring industry and offering insider advice. Contact Renee via email.