There's a reason many offices choose to install carpeting. Commercial carpets are highly durable and last up to three decades. Carpet also dampens sound.
You can select various carpet types, colors, and designs for your business. It's easy to add a sense of warmth and professionalism to any area with the right carpet.
DIY carpet installation can be challenging, so companies opt for commercial carpet installations. People assume their chosen commercial carpet installer will handle every aspect of the job.
But there are some things you have to do to make sure your investment lasts. Even the best installers can't do everything. Here are seven tips to ensure your commercial carpet installation goes smoothly.
1. Find Someone With Experience
Not all commercial carpet installation companies are created equally. Some establishments aren't as experienced as others. While experience doesn't necessarily equal competence, it's still a good trait to look for.An experienced commercial carpet installer will know how to lay the rug and handle customer questions and concerns. One way to vet a potential contractor is to ask if they could recommend a type of carpet to you.
An experienced contractor could tell you the pros and cons of a particular commercial carpet. They'll know if it's suitable for your space and tell you how long you should expect it to last.
The simplest way is to ask how long they've been in business. Your carpet installer should have no problems telling you how long they've been doing their job.
If they have a website, you can check to confirm how old the business is. Calling the business and asking questions is a good way to confirm the experience.
2. Shop Around
There's no reason why you have to settle with the first company you find online. You're entitled to shop around for whoever seems the best first for you.The third commercial carpet installer you run across might have better prices than the first. Speaking of prices, don't be afraid to get multiple estimates. Talk to at least four companies and compare their prices.
It doesn't hurt to ask about deals on materials either. An experienced team may have arrangements with manufacturers that grant customers discounted prices on certain items.
Search for reviews online and ask old customers you may know how well their commercial carpet installation went. When looking through reviews online, here's a tip - don't trust them if there are less than 20.
A small amount of reviews implies that they're either not too good at the job or haven't been doing it very long. Anything less than 20 reviews could also be a "helping hand" left by people that know them.
3. Consider Commercial Carpet Tiles
Commercial carpet tiles are easier to move and arrange than traditional carpets. There's also the matter of carpet waste. Often, the installer will have to cut parts off the piece of carpet you chose, so it fits.If the squares are damaged, worn, or you're sick of them, they're easy to remove and replace. Tiles are more manageable to color match during the replacement process and allow easier access to the substrate floor beneath.
Tiles give you a lot of creative freedom too. You can mix and match colors and arrange the carpet in whatever design you want.
4. You May Not Need Carpet Padding
You may have heard that you have to lay padding during carpet installations. While that's true for residential carpeting, you can probably skip this step in commercial installations.Padding protects home carpeting from long-term damage and your home (and feet) from cold seeping through the subfloor. But the commercial-grade carpet is more durable.
Carpeting with padding underneath eventually becomes loose because the padding bends and folds with every step. The closer the carpet is to the floor, the longer its life expectancy is.
5. Schedule Professional Cleaning
Once the carpet is installed, it's mostly on you to maintain it. You can call the installer back for repairs, but daily upkeep is your job.The substances used to adhere to your carpet may contain volatile organic compounds or VOCs. VOCs are chemical gasses emitted from certain liquid or solid substances harmful to people.
Your carpet needs to be cleaned within the first 72 hours to remove the VOCs. If you don't have the carpet professionally deep cleaned, the chemical gasses will continue emitting from the carpet and into your home.
Some commercial carpet installation companies also require you to keep the rug clean as part of the warranty.
6. Always Choose Commercial Carpeting
One reason to choose commercial-grade carpet is that it can take more abuse than regular carpeting. Commercial carpet is made to withstand heavy foot traffic and daily transport of items through office spaces.Commercial-grade carpets stay fresh and vibrant-looking for longer than the average rug you'd install at home will.
Commercial warranties also last longer. The average carpet lasts five to 10 years. A commercial carpet is expected to last for 30. If the flooring is damaged or found to have defects during that time, you can get it replaced.
Make Sure Your Commercial Carpet Installation Goes Smoothly
Your commercial carpet installation should go smoothly if you find someone experienced enough to do the job. Search for reviews online to ensure the contractor is professional and can install the carpet well.You should have your commercial carpets cleaned within the first 72 hours to remove the harmful toxins. If you want design versatility, consider choosing commercial carpet tiles instead.
National Floors Direct can handle your commercial or residential carpet installation concisely and professionally. Contact us for a free in-home (or office) estimate today.
