What Is Wool Carpet and How Much Does It Cost?

By Elizabeth Michael

September 13, 2025

Nothing says comfort better than the feel of soft carpeting beneath your feet, and wool carpet checks all the boxes. Silky yet durable, wool carpet is made from natural sheep's wool. Known for its natural hypoallergenic properties and flame resistance, wool is considered a safer, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic carpet material.

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While pricing can vary, the average cost per square foot for wool carpet is between $3 and $21 (CAD 4.16 and CAD 29), according to data from HomeGuide.

What Is Wool Carpet?

Wool carpet is a specific type of carpeting made from sheep's wool. Known for having a soft, luxurious feel and a strong resistance to soil, allergens and fire, wool carpeting is a great choice for homes and businesses with heavy foot traffic. Wool carpet is highly durable and designed to last for many years with proper care, and wool fibers have a natural resilience that allows carpeting to maintain its shape.

The manufacturing process for wool carpeting starts with sheared sheep's wool. The sheared wool is cleaned, dried and spun into yarn. The wool yarn is then spooled onto bobbins and dyed before final construction.

Is Natural Wool Carpeting Really Nontoxic?

While it's not possible to say that all wool carpeting is 100% nontoxic, wool fibers are naturally low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are potentially harmful gases that are released from a wide range of products, including carpeting. Because wool is naturally fire-resistant, wool carpeting is generally not treated with chemical flame retardants. Wool carpets can also be purchased untreated and free of dyes, making them a more natural alternative to synthetic carpets.

Is Wool Carpet a Good Choice? Pros and Cons

Compared to other synthetic carpet materials such as nylon and polyester, which sometimes contain dyes and fire retardants, wool carpet is considered a more natural option. Wool fibers repel dust and allergens for potentially cleaner indoor air, and wool is biodegradable for a more sustainable option.

Wool is typically more expensive than other carpet materials in terms of pricing. For example, the average cost per square foot for wool carpet is between $3 and $21 (CAD 4.16 and CAD 29), while the average cost per square foot for polyester carpet is around $0.50 to $6 (CAD 0.69 to CAD 8.30).

Here are some more pros and cons of wool carpet:

Pros

Durability. Wool rugs offer better durability than poorly made synthetic rugs. Wool fibers have a natural crimp that allows them to withstand foot traffic. On average, wool fibers can bend around 20,000 times before snapping, making them a great option for busy households.
Long-lasting. When properly maintained, wool rugs can last up to 50 years or longer. On average, most synthetic rugs are designed to last between 3 and 15 years.

Cons

Shedding. Wool rugs tend to shed more than synthetic carpets, which may become problematic over time. This is because wool rugs are typically crafted with short individual fibers that easily loosen when walked on or vacuumed. While it's common for most carpet types to shed during the first few vacuuming sessions following installation, some wool carpets can shed excessively.
Susceptible to moisture. While wool rugs can generally stand up to foot traffic, fires and allergens, they're more susceptible to moisture than synthetic rugs treated with water repellent. Excess moisture that's not quickly addressed can also lead to mold growth.

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How Much Does Wool Carpet Cost?

The exact cost of wool carpeting can vary significantly depending on factors such as carpet size, carpet padding, installation and labor costs and specific retail costs. On average, wool carpeting costs between $3 and $21 (CAD 4.16 and CAD 29) per square foot, with an average of $6 (CAD 4.34) per square foot.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

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