Carpet tiles vs. carpet for businesses

Carpets are a popular choice for floor covering for business premises in the Chester, Wrexham and North Wales area. There is a choice of installing carpet on a roll or carpet tiles, but which is best? This guide will help you decide between the two types.

The difference

Carpets come in wide rolls and have a backing, but may require an underlay. Carpet tiles are square 18” x 18”, 24” x 24”, or smaller one-foot square. Tiles come with their own padding on the back and are generally short pile,.

Patterns

If you want to use large-scale patterns, roll carpets are best. You can create patterns with carpet tiles by using different colour tiles or ones with varying patterns, but if you want a non-repeating large pattern, roll carpet is better

The pile

Carpet tiles are usually short pile, while carpets have a wider range of pile options from short to long. Long pile wool carpets are luxury carpets suitable for lounges or other rooms in which people relax. Short pile carpets are best for high footfall areas and offices.

Carpet tiles are available with cushioned backing and this can help reduce muscle fatigue for workers who work standing up.

Installation

Carpets come on large rolls and are cut to fit the room, but this can result in wastage between 5% and 25%. At room edges, carpet tiles need to be cut to fit, but expect less to be wasted.

Carpets are more difficult to fit than tiles and can take longer. Subfloors need to be clean, smooth and level, otherwise concrete scree or plywood sheets may be needed.

Some roll carpets come with backing, or you may need to purchase an underlay, whereas carpet tiles almost always have a backing. Carpets are loose-laid on the floor and required no adhesives, while carpet tiles can be loose laid or fixed with adhesive.

Carpet tiles are installed so that there is no gap between them, but the seams between tiles will be seen. If the width of roll carpet is wider than the room, when it is cut to fit there will be no visible seam.

Maintenance

Neither carpets nor tiles are high maintenance. They just need regular vacuuming to remove dirt and debris. Occasional use of a carpet cleaning machine is recommended for a deep clean.

Some rooms may have uneven wear to the floor. Worn carpet tiles can be replaced with new ones, whereas the only remedy for an unevenly worn carpet is to replace it.

Both carpets and carpet tiles can be treated with a stain resistant process that means most stains can easily be wiped up.

Durability

Quality carpet tiles are manufactured to last a long time. Carpets are also durable unless you buy very cheap ones. In a commercial building, carpet lifetime depends on the footfall level, so in busy areas, carpets or tiles will need replacing sooner than carpets in a home.

If deciding between carpets and carpet tiles, consider the above factors and make the choice which is best for your particular business location.