You may have heard contract carpet being referred to as commercial carpet and traditional carpet called residential carpet.
The difference between both carpets can be broken down into four key factors. Aesthetics, Comfort, Durability, and Cleaning and Maintenance. It is very likely you would be able to distinguish the difference between the two carpets just by looking at them, but if not, here are the ways you can differentiate the two.
Factor One: Aesthetics
Based on just looks, this will be the most obvious difference between the two. In comparison to traditional carpet, contract carpet lacks colour range and style. You will commonly find contract carpets in most offices and corporate buildings.
Although contract carpets have a long way to go regarding their aesthetics, it goes without saying they have already come a long way and there is a considerable number of options to choose from, just not quite as many as your traditional carpet.
Contract carpets are very popular in offices and commercial buildings because of their high footfall and their durability.
Factor Two: Comfort
Without a doubt, traditional carpet takes the win here. You just can’t beat the comfort of a plush carpet. Contract carpets would never be able to compete with traditional carpets, although there are now many underlay options available to make contract carpets much more comfortable. However, it’s important to note that they are both used for very different reasons and in very different locations which reflects their properties.
Comfort wouldn’t necessarily be a selling point if you were looking to install flooring in an office, reception area or shop, so each carpet offers something different to completely different audiences.
Factor Three: Durability
Contract carpets have a higher stitch count and shorter piles than typical domestic carpets. This means that they do not crush down under the pressure of heavy footfall which results in a longer lifespan for the flooring.
Carpets that are made for business buildings are designed to stand up against heavy foot traffic on a day-to-day basis. If you were to install a traditional carpet on a premise like this, it would be worn down and destroyed in a matter of months.
Factor Four: Cleaning and Maintenance
Regardless of what flooring you choose; it is always going to need a general cleaning every few days. You can imagine the difference in the time it takes to hoover a traditional carpet versus a contract carpet.
If it takes you ten minutes to do a quick hoover in your house, you can work out just how long it would take to hoover not only a bigger area but also the footfall that the office carpet would have seen in comparison.
Especially when it comes to deep cleaning and maintenance. Contract carpets ideally need to be scheduled for deep cleaning every four to six months. Whereas with traditional carpet, you’re looking at a deep clean every twelve to eighteen months.
If you’re choosing a carpet for your business or commercial building, contract carpet should be your main contender. As long as you take care of it, regardless of the footfall, it will last for years to come.
We can help you pick the perfect carpet for your commercial property. Whether that be contract carpets or luxury vinyl, our highly skilled team can guide you through the whole process. From picking your material all the way to installation. Let us take the stress off your next project by giving us a call today.
