Today we are looking at why, in public spaces, the internal properties of carpet make it far preferable to hard flooring, for both public users of the space, and for staff that need to spend time in it.
Carpet creates better air quality So many publications and websites print the popular and intuitive, but completely incorrect notion that carpet and soft flooring actually contributes to allergic reactions and asthmatic symptoms in some people.
In fact, with carpet on the floor, airborne particles eventually settle to the ground and become trapped by the fibres of the carpet, whereas a gust of wind or the air circulation from people moving around in a space can recirculate dust particles that have settled on a hard floor.
With soft flooring, dust and particles are trapped by the carpet, and can be safely removed by vacuuming.
If vacuum cleaners use a HEPA filter, the dust will never recirculate in that room again - which is much kinder on noses and eyes! Carpet is more comfortable In spaces where there is little seating, underfoot comfort is a very real consideration.
For staff members that are walking around a space all day, and for general users of the space, carpet can mean the difference between feeling good on the way home, or low, persistent back and leg aches.
Carpet also makes the occupants of a space more comfortable by reducing ambient noise.
We've all been sitting at a desk, trying to remember something, with our ears filled with the clop-clop-clopping of a woman in high heels walking down the hall! It isn't only the noise created by walking that carpet helps absorb, but noise in general - it's structure acts as an effective sound dampener.
Installation ease and duration of carpet tiles Hard flooring installation is a precision task, especially if hardwood is going to be used rather than vinyl or linoleum.
Preparation and treatment makes installation quite an operation, but even for vinyl and broadloom carpet there is the major inconvenience of having to move all the furniture and fittings in and out, or else cover the flooring completely for the rest for the project.
With carpet tiles, a patented system for lifting furniture in its place to install carpet tiles underneath it exists, and even large commercial spaces can be completed within 24-48 hours.
High wear areas Even hard flooring is subject to the trials and tribulations of traffic - scratches, scuff marks, and general fading and wear over the paths that people frequently walk down.
When you use carpet tiles, look for those with a dense low pile construction, a commercial heavy duty rating and those that are backed by a long warranty.
You can then be confident that your flooring will stand the test of time.
Cleaning and staining In general, the need for cleaning and the possibility of staining are seen as reasons not to use carpet in public spaces.
Indeed, there will certainly be situations where carpet is simply not viable...
ice cream parlours will always be one! But in many situations, the problem of keeping soft floors looking clean is solved by simply choosing a good quality carpet tile that has an easy-clean, dense loop pile construction and material.
Top brands of carpet tiles these days also have inbuilt protection to prevent permanent staining.
And on the occasion that there is a need to replace a carpet tile, the cost is so minimal that it is economically quite viable, and aesthetically infinitely preferable.
Soft flooring is one of the luxuries of the modern age, creating much more comfortable and pleasant environment.
Technology has now advanced carpet tiles to a point where the objections to using carpet and soft flooring are baseless in so many situations...
and we can simply enjoy it!