Carpets and Rugs

Albio Holdings SA Associated Weavers International SA Carriage Industries, Inc. Cavalier Corporation Ltd Egetaepper AS Fintexport Abee GUMUSSUYU HALI YER KAPLAMARI Horizon Industries, Inc.

Jackley Holdings Limited Lamont Holdings Plc Oriental Weavers Orix Interior Corporation Richards Plc Shaw Industries, Inc. Sirdar Plc Sjm Eurostat

Stoddard International Plc Suminoe Textile Co., Ltd. Tai Ping Carpets International Ltd Taliworks Corporation Berhad Tapijtfabriek H. Desseaux N.v. Thailand Carpet Manufacturing Public Company Limited Victoria Plc

Guide to Commercial Carpets and Rugs

Select commercial carpets and area rugs for durability and looks.
By Selena Chavis

	Sizing Up Carpets and Rugs Choose carpets and rugs for commercial flooring to enhance décor, improve insulation and contain noise. Choose durable commercial carpet for high traffic areas. Use area rugs to decrease wear and tear on commercial carpet.

Carpets and rugs are the flooring of choice for many businesses. In fact, 50 percent of the sales for carpet and area rugs can be directly linked to commercial use. Commercial carpets are popular in part because they introduce color and texture to decorating schemes as well as add warmth to business environments. On the practical side, carpets and rugs are natural insulators, providing more warmth during cold months. They also absorb and contain noise.

Inside this guide to carpets and rugs, you’ll discover:

1. The benefits of various commercial carpet options.
2. How area rugs can play both an aesthetic and practical role.
3. Tips for finding wholesale carpets and discount area rugs.
4. Best practices for maintaining carpets and rugs.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Make the best choice in commercial carpets A number of important considerations go into choosing commercial carpet for an office or other public space. The most important consideration is durability since commercial carpets typically face heavy-duty daily wear. The higher the traffic area, the more durable the commercial carpet you'll need. Frieze, multi-level loop or level loop constructed carpets tend to hold up better to wear and tear.

I recommend:  Mohawk Industries offers numerous commercial carpet lines such as Karastan, Durkan and Bigelow with many styles and options for durability. Shaw is another leading manufacturer of commercial carpets.

Consider the practical and aesthetic uses of area rugs Areas rugs can add a dramatic look or a warm inviting touch to reception areas and offices. Adding area rugs to high traffic areas can also reduce wear and tear on commercial carpets

I recommend:  For custom area rugs, try Build-A-Rug. Addarug.com and the Winchester Carpet & Rug Company’s Rugs Direct offer hundreds of styles of area rugs, many suitable for commercial wear and tear. Consider Lowe's or Home Depot for more economical choices.

Clean and maintain commercial carpets and rugs A solid maintenance program for carpets and rugs should include regular vacuuming and cleaning. Hiring professional cleaning services is the wisest choice for maintaining your investment in carpets and rugs.

I recommend:  For smaller businesses with budget constraints, Business.com offers a listing and guide to carpet cleaning equipment and supplies.

Find the best options for purchasing wholesale carpets and discount area rugs Commercial carpets and rugs can be purchased via a number of methods including wholesale from the manufacturer, discounted through third-party distributors or via retail outlets.

I recommend:  A number of outlets are available in Dalton, Georgia — the carpet capital of the world — for buying wholesale carpets and discount area rugs including Executive Carpet, American Carpet Wholesalers, and Georgia Carpet Industries.

Consider how commercial carpet color will affect overall aesthetics Characteristics such as lighting and room size can have a dramatic effect on the commercial carpet color you choose.

I recommend:  Get suggestions from interior design experts. Light colored commercial carpets help create spacious effects, making the room appear to be larger but will show more soil than dark colors. Choose dark colors to give rooms a warmer appeal. Remember that carpet colors have also been shown to create certain moods or evoke certain emotions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Consider carpet fibers that provide a good fit for commercial carpets. Nylon carpet fibers offer the best value, performance and ease of maintenance. Olefin carpets are highly resistant to stains, static, mold and mildew.
• Choose custom area rugs to complement an existing business image or to jazz up your décor.
• Avoid soil buildup and staining by vacuuming commercial carpets and rugs regularly - at least several times a week or daily in high-traffic areas.