If you’re re-carpeting your workplace, it’s worth taking the time to make sure you choose the best type of carpet for your needs. Choosing a carpet for its short-term savings or its visual appeal can lead to serious headaches in just a few years. The best types of carpeting will last for years and years with regular vacuuming and periodic carpet cleaning, providing short-term and long-term value to your business.
Fiber Material
The type of fiber you choose can have a big impact on how long your new carpet maintains its appearance. In most cases, a high-quality nylon fiber will be the best choice for your workplace. Nylon is resilient to wear, resistant to stains, and maintains its appearance well with regular carpet cleaning.
Good nylon comes at a moderate price point, so beware of nylon at a discount rate. Low-quality nylon will have weaker fibers, leading to early wear and tear.
Another option you might consider is a triexta fiber. This is a newer fiber that performs similarly to nylon. Triexta fibers are available from limited retailers, but are priced similarly to nylon, produce fewer VOCs, and are more eco-friendly.
Carpet Style
The two most common types of carpet styles are cut pile and loop pile.
Among cut pile styles, frieze carpeting is typically the best choice for a workplace environment. Other cut pile styles will retain footprints, whereas frieze carpeting is known for its clean, “trackless” appearance. Frieze carpeting is also highly resistant to wear. It can be more expensive, but its longevity can make it a wise investment.
The most popular loop pile style for workplace carpeting is Berber carpeting. Like frieze carpeting, it is also known for being “trackless.” Berber carpets have large loops that make it tough for dirt and dust to become trapped in fibers. With regular vacuuming and carpet cleaning, Berber carpets resist discoloration better than other styles.
Carpets to Avoid
The best types of carpet for workplaces will be cost-effective, attractive, and resilient. Unfortunately, some types of carpet offer the opposite. Save yourself the headache and skip the following styles:
- Olefin/Polyester. Olefin and polyester are the cheapest fiber options for carpeting. In high-traffic areas like hallways, both will start to wear out in less than a year.
- Wool. Wool carpets are known for their high quality. They’re also known for their budget-busting price tags. Wool also requires specialty carpet cleaning treatments.
- Cut and Loop. Most carpets use either cut pile or loop pile. Cut and loop carpets use both styles, which allows carpet makers to create unique, textured designs. While beautiful, cut and loop carpets wear down quickly./li>
Whatever type of carpet you choose, regular maintenance is key. Daily vacuuming will take care of day-to-day dust and dirt, while yearly carpet cleaning will get stubborn dirt and stains out of fibers.