While most everyone wouldn’t think of calling VCT, stone, wood or terrazzo floors by their category name “hard surface” when specifying a product for purchase or outlining maintenance techniques, this is not true with carpeting.
Textile floorings are often lumped together by their category term “carpeting”. This is not a “one size fits all” sector. Unfortunately, we are not as familiar with the different ‘types’ of carpet as we are the different ‘types’ of hard surface. As a result, many facilities may have the wrong type of carpet for the intended application.
Face Yarn
Today almost all commercial types of carpet utilize a nylon face yarn. We no longer recognize polyester, acrylic and polyolefin as commercial grade face yarns. Nylon is durable, cleanable and has a carbon element in the product to help dissipate static charge. Does the nylon face yarn determine the different ‘types’ of carpet? The answer is no. Nylon is only about 10% of the overall product performance and should be considered only for color and design.
The term ‘Face Weight’ is used to determine the amount of nylon used in the construction of carpet types and is measured in ounces. Here is what you should remember about the face yarn: One, always use nylon. Two, only use types of carpet with a total face weight between 14 ounces and 20 ounces in high traffic areas. Three, moderate traffic areas use products with a total face weight of 14 ounces to 26 ounces. Four, low traffic areas use as much face weight as you can afford. You aren’t thinking about performance as much as you are thinking about aesthetics in low traffic areas.
Backings
Does the backing determine the ‘type’ of carpet? The answer is yes. Carpet backings determine the ‘type’ of carpet and will ultimately determine the appropriate application. There are two basic types of carpet; Flow-Through and Non-Flow Through.
Flow-Through carpet types include actionbac, unitary, hot melt, urethane, synthetic latex, woven and modular carpet tiles. Any product where moisture can pass through the product or through the seams to the sub-floor is a flow-through product and should be considered for low traffic areas. Some of these product types pass the British Spill Test (E). Those that pass this test may be considered for moderate traffic areas (with a low face weight). While these products do not stop spills and contaminants from going through the product, they may impede the process in time for cleaning. Once contaminants go ‘through’ a product it becomes virtually impossible to clean.
Non-Flow Through carpet types pass the most stringent protocol for moisture management. These products do not allow moisture to pass through. They keep all spills above the product for easy maintenance and contaminant removal. These product backings are made of closed cell vinyl cushion. The seams are molecularly bound like PVC pipe and install similar to linoleum and sheet vinyl which all provide a wall-to-wall moisture barrier. These products should be installed in schools and any high traffic areas. Further, these products have the best and longest warranties in the industry. Warranties usually protect against zippering, edge ravel, delamination and excessive wear for periods of 20 years, non-prorated. Things to remember; One, these products pass the Moisture Penetration by Impact Test (MPIT) after 10,000 impacts. Two, these products pass the MPIT at the seams. Three, all seams are permanent and waterproof for the life of the product.
Take Aways
Carpet is a category and the type of carpet will determine the appropriate application. All types of carpet are made to meet a specific application. Don’t try and force a product into an inappropriate application simply because you like the way it looks. It won’t look that way for long and could be costly to replace prematurely.
How should you begin? First, determine the type of carpet by ALWAYS asking if the product is Flow-Through or Non-Flow Through. This will determine the application. Second, Always consider Non-Flow Through products in schools and high traffic areas. Third, follow the face weight rules once the product type has been determined. Finally, always ask your CCFM Industry Partner for in-house maintenance training once the product has been installed. You have made a substantial investment that should provide years of satisfactory performance and reflect your new knowledge of carpet types.
