By Drew Hash, President and CEO of Southwind Flooring
What sustainability-related changes or innovations have had the biggest impact on carpet products in recent years?
At Southwind, we believe the biggest impact has come from improved PET/polyester technology—along with more efficient manufacturing that reduces waste and energy use.
How should retailers communicate sustainability without overwhelming or losing consumer interest?
Keep it simple and relevant. When it comes to carpet, so much is about extending the carpet’s life through product quality, cleanability, and wearability over time. That comes from a quality brand like Southwind.
What types of questions or concerns are you addressing when innovating sustainability into your carpet portfolio?
Customers want to know: Will it last? Is it easy to clean? What about VOCs? Our approach centers on performance-driven sustainability and certifications that meet those everyday concerns.
What role does sustainability play, if any, in the overall purchase decision compared to other factors like price or performance?
It’s still often secondary to price, style, stain resistance, and availability for the majority of homeowners. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not important.
Fiber Dictionary – Types & Differences
Can you walk through the main carpet fiber types and how they differ from one another?
The primary fibers are polyester (including PET), polypropylene (olefin), and nylon. Polyester offers softness and color clarity, polypropylene excels in moisture resistance, and nylon is known for durability. Southwind focuses on high-performance PET solutions.
What performance characteristics are most important when comparing fiber types?
Durability, stain resistance, softness, and color retention are key. Today’s advanced PET fibers perform exceptionally well across these categories for residential use.
How should an RSA explain fiber differences to customers who may not be familiar with the category?
Keep it benefit-driven: “This one is softer, this one is more stain-resistant, this one handles heavy traffic better.” Focus on how the carpet will live in their home.
For the underinformed consumer, what’s one reason they should care about different fiber types when making a decision?
Because fiber type directly impacts how the carpet looks, feels, and performs over time—especially when it comes to cleaning and wear.