Mohawk SmartStrand Silk Broadloom Carpet Review (2026)
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
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- Pets
- Bedrooms
- Comfort
A soft, dense triexta broadloom whose stain resistance is built into the fiber rather than a topical coat, so it never washes off, making it the comfort and pet champion here as spills blot up cleanly. However it needs a power stretcher, tack strips and seaming plus a separately bought pad, and it can flatten in traffic lanes.
Pros
- Stain resistance is engineered into the triexta fiber, not a topical coating, so it does not wash off over time
- Genuinely soft, dense cut pile that feels far plusher underfoot than any carpet tile
- Excellent for pet homes: spills and accidents blot up without permanent staining
Cons
- Broadloom needs a power stretcher, tack strips and seaming, so it is not a beginner DIY install
- Requires a separately purchased pad, adding cost and a second buying decision
- Triexta can flatten in traffic lanes and, being oil-loving, can attract greasy soil that needs regular cleaning
Specifications
| Fiber | Triexta (SmartStrand) |
|---|---|
| Style | Cut pile / textured |
| Size | 12 ft wide roll (broadloom) |
| Face Weight | 46-70 oz options |
| Install | Stretch-in over separate pad (pro or advanced DIY) |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is SmartStrand stain resistance permanent?
- Effectively, yes, and that is the core claim worth understanding. The stain resistance is engineered into the triexta fiber itself rather than applied as a topical coating, so it does not wash off over repeated cleanings the way treated nylon can.
- Is SmartStrand good for pets?
- It is one of the better mainstream choices for pet homes - spills and accidents blot up without permanent staining, and the cut pile is genuinely soft. That said, no carpet handles odor on its own if an accident soaks into the pad.
- What are the downsides of triexta carpet?
- Two worth knowing. It can flatten in traffic lanes over time, and because triexta is oil-loving it can attract greasy soil, so it needs regular cleaning to keep looking right. Neither is a defect so much as a maintenance expectation.
- Can you install broadloom carpet yourself?
- Not easily. Broadloom needs a power stretcher, tack strips and seaming, which puts it beyond beginner DIY, and it requires a separately purchased pad - an extra cost and a second buying decision. Material runs about $4-6 per square foot on a 12 ft roll, with face weights from 46 to 70 oz.