Remember the old ads where carpets were placed in a wind tunnel and subjected to high speed blasts for a year or two? Those ads showed the durability of the carpets tested, which were often carpet tiles destined for commercial use. Over time, these squares became popular for homes, too, and now they’re in vogue for any setting where the carpet is likely to take strain. Like their predecessors, however, carpet tiles have their pros and cons, so we’re giving you an objective view of the product.
Some of the places you’re almost certain to see carpet tiles include public areas like airports, offices and other commercial buildings. As one of the fastest growing segments in the carpet world, tiles are making a daring entry into the residential flooring market. They go by various names, so don’t let that confuse you. Whether you’re talking about carpet squares, modular carpets are tiles, these versatile pieces of carpeting offer the comfort of home with the robustness of industry.
In the event you’re anticipating difficulties cleaning, the great thing about carpet tiles is that they are exceptionally easy to keep clean. Vacuum and spot clean them the same way you do regular carpeting, but the advantage they have over virtually any other type of floor covering is that a stained tile can be replaced for a fraction of time and cost required to renew a larger carpet. This makes them a useful option for busy, high traffic and public areas, such as the entryway, children’s bedrooms and the dining room.
Many types of carpet tiles include recycled materials, which helps reduce your environmental footprint. In addition, because of their size and the simplicity with which you can cut them to fit difficult corners, most carpet tile installations result in less waste product than a typical broadloom carpet. And when it’s time to replace a stained area, disposing of a tile or two is much less burden on the planet than it is to get rid of a whole room carpet.
Apart from the fact that carpet tiles now come in a multitude of interesting designs created by printing high-definition patterns and images, you can also mix-‘n-match your colors any way you like. The only limits are in your imagination, so treat your floor like an artist’s canvas and let your inner Picasso run riot.
While carpet tiles are undoubtedly an attractive, flexible and long-lasting option for your floors, they aren’t necessarily suitable for every installation. Hard flooring is simply more practical in some environments, such as healthcare settings. Regardless of how well you clean and manage them, carpets tend to harbor some dust that can affect patients who are allergic to organisms. Tiles are also no match for the esthetics of hardwood flooring, so upmarket premises might fare better with a wood look-alike product and some area rugs.
Then there are the seams. Although many good quality modular carpets can be installed so the seams are not visible, it can be difficult to identify top-quality carpet tiles unless you have expert help. With some of the cheaper versions, you’re definitely going to be able to spot the seams. Many homeowners make use of this aspect for artistic purposes, having the tiles installed in alternating directions for effect. As long as it is a conscious choice to have visible seams, you’re good to go. And of course, if it’s a luxury effect you’re wanting, there’s no substitute for full, quality carpeting.
For experienced help in selecting the best carpet tiles for your installation, visit Brentwood Flooring America or schedule a consultation with our experts.
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