Design experts suggest a dozen questions to keep in mind when selecting carpet

— By Karen Kroll

Given the significant impact that carpeting has on both the look and cost of a building’s interior, it’s important that facility executives know what to look for when making a selection. Design experts suggest keeping the following questions in mind.

1. How will the carpet be used? Before a facility executive even begins to look at carpet samples, it makes sense to think through how and where the carpet will be used, says Diane Schroeder, vice president and design director with GHK Associates in Chicago. This will help narrow down the selection to the types of carpet that make sense. For instance, it helps to know whether the carpet will be in a high- or low-traffic area, as some types of carpet hold up better than others.

2. Is your budget adequate? Nearly every design project will have to work within some cost constraints, and it can be tempting to squeeze the carpeting allowance because it typically accounts for a hefty chunk of the overall budget. However, carpeting definitely is not the place to cut costs, agree many designers. “You have to put the dollars into carpet up-front,” says Kristin Hill, principal with Design Management in Natick, Mass.

A carpet selection that’s less expensive initially often ends up costing more money overall, as it will need to be replaced more quickly. Not only does that increase the cost of the carpet itself, but it requires more frequent furniture moves, which lead to increased downtime and higher labor costs.

3. How much flexibility is needed? In most cases, flexibility — that is, the ability to change the carpet as needed — and cost are inversely related, says Schroeder. For instance, carpet tiles, which offer more flexibility than broadloom carpet, typically are more expensive. That’s because the backing has to be constructed to withstand moves and relocations, says Michele Hoben, a Washington D.C.-based senior project manager and associate with Brennan Beer Gorman Monk Architects and Interiors, New York.

How much more? While it’s difficult to generalize with any accuracy, many broadloom carpets run about $20 per square yard installed. In comparison, tile tends to be in the range of $27 to $30 per square yard, says Allison Ray Harsh, vice president and director of interior design with KPS Group, Inc. in Birmingham, Ala.

However, the higher initial cost of tile sometimes can be recouped, at least in part, when it comes time to make a change. That’s because you can change the tile more easily; often changes can be completed in a few hours at night. In addition, carpet tile allows a facility executive to move carpet from a highly trafficked area to one less trafficked, allowing for more even wear and extending the life of the carpet.

On the other hand, in some cases the higher cost of tiles probably won’t be justified. For instance, in self-contained areas like conference rooms and private offices, a facility executive probably would replace the entire carpet at one time. In that case, it may make sense to go with less expensive broadloom. An exception would be when the carpet is being installed over raised flooring; most cities require carpet tiles in order to ensure access to the wiring underneath.

Over the past several years, carpet tiles have become available in larger sizes. Previously, the standard was 18 inches square. Now, more are available in 24- and 36-inch squares, says Harsh of KPS Group. To some extent, the larger sizes lower installation costs, as they can be installed more quickly. In addition, tiles are starting to appear in rectangle shapes, which can be used for different designs.

4. What sort of fiber makes the most sense? Most carpets in corporate settings are made of nylon, as it is durable, yet less costly than wool, says Hoben. However, in hotels and other facilities that have high volumes of traffic, it may make sense to consider wool or a wool blend, as it will wear longer.

5. Which construction method will work best? Loop construction — when the yarn is looped in and out of the carpet — works well in high traffic areas. “If it’s a high traffic area, where the carpet is subject to crushing and you want the appearance to stay, a tightly constructed loop will give you the best performance,” says Schroeder of GHK. That’s because a never-ending stream of traffic will push over the cut pile, making it look worn out, even if it isn’t. Carpet tends to “ugly out” before it wears out. Loop construction, on the other hand, tends to hold its appearance even in heavier traffic.

For moderate traffic areas with a lot of system furniture, a combination of cut and loop generally won’t show the wear, says Francisco H. Laurier, design director with GHK Associates in Washington, D.C.

Finally, for areas with little traffic, such as executive offices, a cut pile pattern should work well. In a cut pattern, the yarn is run through the backing, knotted and cut, giving a luxurious look and feel. With a relatively low traffic level, the carpet should hold up.

Facility executives will also want to pay attention to the carpet backing, says Debbie DeLuca, senior associate with Einhorn Yaffee Prescott P.C. in Albany, N.Y. For instance, it makes sense to look for a backing that is guaranteed against “zippering.” Zippering can happen when the carpet fiber is not woven into the latex backing. In a loop construction, if a thread gets pulled and isn’t woven into the backing, it can unravel to the end of the carpet, leaving what looks like a zipper line.

6. What sort of padding do you need? The more cushion the padding has, the more quickly the carpet will wear out. That’s because the padding allows the carpet to bend and stretch, accelerating the rate at which it wears out. To extend the life of the carpet, it pays to go with a firm pad, says Schroeder. Another option: some carpets are now being manufactured with the padding incorporated into the carpet itself, says Laurier of GHK. “It has more cushion for your feet, but wears better.”

7. How reputable is the manufacturer of both the fiber and the carpet? Most designers stick with brand name manufacturers when it comes to carpet fiber. “It’s what they do, and they do it best,” says Harsh. In addition, facility executives will want to make sure they’re dealing with a reputable carpet manufacturer that has been around for at least several years. “Carpeting is a funny business,” says Harsh. “People often bring out products that are not tested.”

8. What sort of carpet dye will work best? One type is solution-dyed fiber, in which the color penetrates the fiber all the way through, says Pamela Rosenberg, project manager with Loebl Schlossman and Hackl in Chicago. Rosenberg likens solution dying to a carrot in that the color can be seen all the way through the fiber. Solution-dyed fiber carpets are great for health care facilities, schools and airports, or any facilities with high traffic and the potential for spillage, says Harsh. That’s because the fiber can be cleaned with a stronger solution, such as a mild bleach, and still retain its color.

On the other hand, fibers that are vat-dyed are similar to radishes, in that they’re colored only on the outside. The cost of both solution-dyed and vat-dyed fibers are pretty similar, says Rosenberg. However, facility executives will find a greater variety of colors among vat-dyed fibers.

9. Will the design endure the test of time? While trends affect carpeting just as they do other elements of design, it’s best to stick with colors and patterns that will hold their appearance and that also fit within the overall design of the project, says Laurier of GHK Associates. Carpeting is typically not the place to go wild. “Ask whether the design is appropriate for the facility and the design concept. Does it work in the overall scheme?” advises Laurier.

It also makes sense to think twice about incorporating a logo or brand into the carpet design. Many times, a company’s brand image and logo involve bright colors and bold graphics. Using those in a carpet may make it feel outdated more quickly than it otherwise would. “You want to consider very seriously if the carpet is the place to extend your brand,” says Schroeder.

10. Would custom carpet be a good choice? Because many carpet manufacturers discontinue styles from time to time, facility executives may find it difficult to replace their carpeting at some point down the road. One way around this is to look into custom carpets; these are manufactured specifically for a building or company. “You can get the same carpet over and over,” says Hill.

Custom carpet will require some research, however, as the costs and lead-time can vary widely between manufacturers, says Hill. In addition, manufacturers have different minimum orders that they require before they’ll create a custom carpet. Finally, it makes sense for a facility executive to maintain some extra stock of custom carpet, in case he or she needs to extend the carpet into another area at a later point. That way, the newly carpeted area will have the same dye lot as the previously carpeted areas.

11. Who do you want to install the carpet? Here, a facility executive may have fewer choices than before. The carpet industry, like many others, is consolidating, says Hoben of Brennan Beer Gorman Monk. Many carpet manufacturers are purchasing or partnering with carpet installation companies. That offers both bad and good news for facility executives. On the one hand, installation costs appear to be going up, as competition is decreasing.

However, “We’re seeing more attention to service,” says Hoben. As carpeting has become more of a commodity product, with a large number of competitors offering similar products, manufacturers and installers are turning their attention to service as a way to differentiate themselves.

12. How will the carpet be disposed of? Designers say that more companies are interested in the environmental issues surrounding carpet disposal and are concerned about mounds of discarded carpet overflowing landfills. As a result, more carpet manufacturers are offering ways to recycle old carpet.

However, it’s important to note that disposing of carpet via recycling actually can cost more than just tossing it in a landfill, at least for now. “It depends on the area of the country,” says Hill.

A facility executive may want to consider using recycled carpet from the start. Although recycled carpets are fairly new on the market, most designers are giving them a cautious thumbs-up. They appear to look and wear like new carpet, and carry similar warranties, says Hoben.

Of course, every carpet project will have its own requirements. However, keeping these questions in mind can help ensure that the carpet chosen provides value, wears well and enhances the overall look of a facility.

Karen Kroll is is a business writer with experience in real estate and facilities issues.

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