Sustainable Carpet: Selecting the Right Product

Millions of people go in and out of schools, hospitals, retail establishments and office buildings every single day, not realizing how environmentally-sustainable the floors they walk on have become.

There’s little doubt these days that being green is increasingly expected.

Businesses and consumers alike want to be good stewards of the environment, to conserve natural resources, to create more healthy indoor environments and to benefit from products that are made to last.

This is particularly true in the carpet industry, where sustainable manufacturing has become the norm and where recent innovations in product development have resulted in flooring products that are more stain resistant, more durable and longer lasting than ever before.

But what exactly makes a carpet product sustainable?

And how can public venues like schools, healthcare facilities, hospitality centers and the like make sure they’re getting what they desire in terms of sustainable attributes, performance, and value?

The Selection Process

Carpeting and carpet tiles have many advantages over hard surface flooring when it comes to easy maintenance, superior acoustic value, and safety features.

The importance of choosing the right carpet for the right space these days is that the selection of products — particularly commercial carpet and modular tiles — has improved as more durable fibers, complemented by improved primary and secondary backings, have become available. And design and performance options have increased as well.

This is particularly beneficial in settings like schools, from preschools to the graduate level, where carpet or modular tile flooring results in improved acoustics, creating a better learning environment for students and teachers alike.

In healthcare facilities, ranging from nursing homes to intensive care units, the reduction in noise level from carpeted floors may improve patient outcomes by improving the likelihood that a patient may rest undisturbed.

The benefits of sustainable carpeting are invaluable in stores and office buildings as well, where carpet provides a soft landing and reduces slip-and-fall accidents that can occur on vinyl, tile, wood or other hard surfaces.

After the “right carpet for the right space” has been determined, next comes the installation process.