subject: 6 Good Reasons To Choose Carpet Over Hard Flooring [print this page] Similar to the debate over whether it is better to live in the city or the country, the difference between carpet and hard flooring often comes down to nothing more than personal preference. In commercial situations, though, in considering the needs of the population that will be using the space, carpet is almost always preferable. We have a look at the very real reasons that carpet wins out over hard flooring in a range of commercial projects.
Flooring maintenance is cheaper for carpet over time
A study by the IICRC in 2003 found that hard flooring required 2.5 times as many cleaning hours over a year-long period as carpeted areas did. The cost of cleaning supplies is also an issue where vacuuming and periodic steam/chemical cleaning are required for carpet, cleaning for hard flooring is very product intensive. The careful formulation of hard-flooring cleaners to prevent damage to the surface makes them quite expensive. People argue that hard floors are more durable over time if you choose carpet tiles, only the heavy traffic and stained areas need to be replaced, rather than the entire area as with broadloom carpet.
Carpet is a better choice for health and safety
Using carpet not only reduces the risk of slips and falls occurring, but also cushions the impact when they do occur. In commercial situations and especially in areas where the general public is part of the user-profile, this safety consideration becomes paramount. Slips and falls in a home are an acceptable risk, where the only impact they can make on a budget is lost working time. Where there is the possibility of public liability, hard flooring becomes an unnecessary risk.
Carpet adds warmth and atmosphere
Hard flooring comes in one color brown. There are several variants, this is true, but if you want to truly liven a space up, and create a unique and definite atmosphere, carpet provides you with the greatest design possibilities. Carpet tiles give infinitely greater options than broadloom, also.
Carpet insulates against noise and temperature variations
Commercial spaces can become quieter and warmer with carpet flooring. The clatter and clunk of feet and equipment moving over hard flooring can become overwhelming; not to mention the fact that vocal noise, music and ambient noise all bounce off hard flooring, rather than being absorbed as they are by carpet tiles.
Improves indoor air quality by trapping allergens
The allergen factor is one often cited by critics of carpet. However, studies have actually shown that the air in carpeted areas is lower in allergens such as dust and pollen, because they are trapped in the carpet when they drift towards the ground. With regular vacuuming, the allergens are kept conveniently out of user's noses and easily transported away from the building. Commercial spaces usually don't face the same irregular cleaning schedules that homes do so buildup of allergens is not an issue.
Provides more design flexibility
We touched on this earlier; carpets can create a wide range of different atmospheres, where hard flooring has a single look. There are literally thousands of carpet tile designs and literally millions of different and attractive ways to put these together.
