I decided to copy and paste the FAQs from the brushroll.com website. It's interesting to me. I'm not trying to start a debate over the best material for brush roll construction, though.
FAQ
How often should the brushroll be changed?
The brushroll is the one component that actually touches your carpets and floors. It agitates the carpet or surface to move the dirt and debris to be ‘sucked’ up by your vacuum. We recommend that you change your brushroll once/ year (every spring or every fall is a good time to change your brushroll – do it when you move your clock ‘Springs’ forward or ‘Falls’ back).
Why use wood and not plastic?
Wood is a better engineering material for brushrolls than plastic. Believe it or not, the brushroll spins at 3000-6000 RPM. Since it spins so fast, it’s important to have good balance. A wood brush roll is easier to balance (it’s not coming our of a hot mold) and so it runs smoother and more quietly.
Why Northern White Ash Wood?
Northern White Ash is the same wood that baseball bats are made of. Very hard and extremely strong. That’s why it makes sense to make brushrolls out of a hardwood like Northern White Ash.
Are these genuine, original parts?
These are generic, aftermarket parts designed to fit and operate in the vacuum.
When I purchase a brushroll from Brushroll.com how does that help the US Economy?
We have our own sawmill, turning, bristling, coating and balancing equipment here in the good old US of A. Every time you choses a brushroll from Brushroll.com, you help create more jobs in the USA.
Why are your brushrolls better than everyone elses?
Great question. First and foremost, you’re buying from the manufacturer. We start with the log (using sustainable forestry) and we turn, sand, coat, bristle, assemble and balance our brushrolls. We put our brushrolls thru a 25 point checklist before they ship to you. You can be certain that you’re getting the best product on the market, because you’re buying direct from the manufacturer.
Why are Wood Brushrolls more Eco Friendly than Plastic or Steel Brushrolls?
Wood is one of our only replenishable resources. Plastic and steel are limited resources. They’re not replenishable. By using wood, you help conserve our planets limited resources.
