Cotton Versus Nylon: Know Your Textiles

When deciding between cotton versus nylon, we scout for the best and most cost effective textiles for our project. We are often armed with the basic knowledge of the fabrics we are most comfortable and familiar with. We will check on the textile’s specifics every so often when there is a look or a feel we are unfamiliar with. However, exactly how familiar are we with our most basic, everyday fabrics? Cotton and nylon are the most iconic and basic textiles in use today, and can be used for various things.

Cotton Versus Nylon: The Differences

Whether you’re looking for wholesale fabrics, or something less standard, you can spend a large amount of time trying to figure out what will work for your needs or what won’t. Knowing the difference between textiles like cotton versus nylon can clear up the confusion in what will be best for you to utilize. For example, the biggest difference between cotton and nylon is that cotton is a naturally grown product. Nylon, however, is synthetic and man made. Nylon is typically found in tougher or more water resistant fabrics like the ballistic nylon in tactical vests or the nylon packcloth in banner signs. Cotton is a more breathable, softer fabric which can be utilized for everyday clothing to artist canvas material. For cotton, as with nylon, the fabric varieties are endless.

Cotton Varieties Are Versatile

Cotton can be used in an unlimited amount of ways. Whether you’re making a set of cornhole bags for an upcoming game from a cotton based canvas fabric, or you require a durable, cost efficient fabric such as cotton duck fabric for an upcoming project like a sturdy canvas bag, you can find what you need with minimal research and ease. Specifically speaking, cotton duck cloth comes within a variety of durability options. Your work may call for the use of a tough and long-lasting cotton duck fabric like our heavyweight duck fabric if you’re creating something like a set of outdoor cushions. You could possibly be working towards creating an all-weather outdoor cover, which would allow our waxed duck cloth canvas fabric to be the best contender for your project to withstand the harshest of outdoor climates.

Cotton: When Affordability and Sustainability Matter

Cotton is usually pricier than nylon, as it is all-natural. Based on how the cotton is processed and its level of durability, it could be the fabric that you utilize for your more elaborate projects. For example, cotton blackout cloth works well for the preservation of valuable items or rare pieces. Cotton also leaves behind less waste over nylon. Since it is a natural fiber, it is much more biodegradable than nylon. Its processing procedures are much more sustainable over the processing of nylon fabrics. However, when reviewing cost effectiveness– nylon is the clear winner.

Nylon: The Basics of This Man-made Textile

Nylon, as stated, is a man-made synthetic textile. Discovered in 1938, it was first commercially used in toothbrushes, but today has a multitude of uses. Our nylon packcloth can be used for something as simple as creating an everyday wallet, to upholstering a piece of furniture. As nylon is also flexible and is less water absorbent than cotton, it can also be used for creating a sturdy travel bag for consistent use. As it is synthetic, it remains more cost effective over cotton. Depending on your need, nylon may be your clear deciding textile over cotton based on its versatility and durability. Nylon was made to last over cotton, and its various properties are put to the test time and time again to ensure it is made to last over other textiles and fabrics like cotton.

Nylon’s Impressive Durability

When it comes to cotton versus nylon, limitations are different in an almost drastic way. Since its creation, nylon has been chemically changed and manipulated to become more durable and different from its other textile counterparts. It has an interesting versatility factor, whereas cotton is found in more basic products. It is also much stronger than cotton, as cotton’s natural fibers break down faster than nylon. Our strongest form of ballistic nylon (1680D) has a stronger anti-abrasion property and higher tensile strength than most of our cotton. Nylon was meant to last over something more natural like its counterpart cotton.

How Cotton and Nylon Add Up

Cotton is known as an ancient fabric, and nylon was created as a more long lasting, cost effective counterpart. While there are nylon textiles that will cost more than cotton textiles, at the end of the day it is all based on the specifics of what will suit you best. Whether you are looking for something that will last, or something that will withstand both the indoor and outdoor elements, both textiles can be up for the challenge. Whatever the project, cotton versus nylon would both be wonderful and reliable additions to anything you’re working on today or in the future.

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