Considerations for and against choosing carpet tiles

Carpet tiles are the perfect option for commercial premises due to their ease of maintenance, durability and versatility. We discuss all the benefits of installing carpet tiles in your premises. We also consider some of the pros and cons when it comes to considering alternatives.

Advantages of carpet tiles

Finding the right flooring options for high-traffic areas is always a challenge. Carpet tiles are often referenced as the ‘natural commercial flooring choice’ for demanding applications.

The key reasons being:

1. Versatility

One of the biggest advantages of carpet tiles is their versatility. You can find carpet tiles in every colour, and in a wide variety of sizes and textures. Carpet tiles are also great for odd-shaped spaces and spots that are hard to get to. That makes these tiles perfect for many office and industrial applications, where spaces are often tight.

2. Durability

The durability of a carpet tile installation is another popular selling point, and a major advantage. Quality tiles can last for 10-20 years before showing any real wear at all.

Just as importantly, carpet tiles are easy to replace when they do start to show their age. Unlike a traditional carpet installation, which must be replaced as one piece, a carpet tile installation means you can swap out individual tiles as needed.

3. Easy maintenance and easy access

Carpet tiles are also easy to maintain. Vacuuming is really the key. Regular maintenance is important, but those care needs are actually very simple. Plus, instigating them is a real cost benefit. Another maintenance advantage is that the tiles can be easily lifted, if access is needed to the floor beneath.

4. Cost and time

The other advantages are around cost savings. This is based on how easy they are to fit and also the fact there is less waste than with broadloom. It is also worth thinking about different quality and types of tiles (pile weight, structure, yarn type) for different room requirements. There is quite a wide selection of options. Additionally, cost savings also include energy costs when you consider the insulation properties of carpet.

5. Design Flexibility

Carpet tiles are no longer about ‘boxy” designs. There are different shapes, greater transition of colour from tile to tile, and an opportunity to be creative with laying patterns and zoning to create a unique space every time.

6. Wellbeing Advantages

There are many benefits here including warmth and acoustic benefits, which contribute to wellbeing. In fact their layered structure can absorb even more structure-borne sound than wall to wall carpeting. They also provide a better foothold than smooth floor materials and being comfortable under foot is beneficial to staff. Especially those that have to stand for long periods of time as part of their job.

How do they compare to other flooring?

There are advantages to other flooring (especially vinyl) but with carpet tiles there is usually more versatility in design compared hardwood and vinyl options. For large scale patterning and custom designs, wall to wall carpet could be a better solution, but from a cost, maintenance and ease of installation perspective carpet tiles are definitely the stronger choice.

We mentioned durability and if correctly specified, they can last for well over 20 years (meeting most requirements), however vinyl and hardwood are likely to be more durable.

A primary benefit of vinyl flooring is its moisture resistance. Having said that compared to broadloom carpets, carpet tiles have advantages there as well.

There is a debate around the level of hygiene versus alternatives, but they do improve the indoor climate by trapping particles and allergens. We certainly recommend a good maintenance regime for any type of flooring. We also found this report very interesting when it comes to dispelling myths around carpet tiles and how they might compare with vinyl alternatives.

Let us help

For details on the advantages of vinyl, read our blog on the subject, and if you need any specific advice on a project and what is the most suitable solution, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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