What are some of the performance components that make carpet perform well? Although you needn’t be an expert on all carpet matters, a basic understanding of construction will help you choose a carpet that meets the physical and aesthetic needs of your space. Plus, a working knowledge about construction will help everyone on the project — manufacturers, designers, contractors and end users — ensure that the carpet delivers on everyone’s expectations.

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In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens opens with, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” This story could be a parable for today’s business climate. The pressure to cut a corner here or there to stay profitable, or to find creative ways to get more work done with fewer people, is testing the mettle of many companies. Knowing this, it is more important than ever to be on the lookout for pitfalls that can derail your flooring project. You can’t foresee every possible construction predicament, but you can, as the Dickens classic concludes, do a “far, far better thing” for your flooring projects by focusing on a few key areas.

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A flooring contractor can provide a ballpark estimate during a project’s specification stage. But providing a hard quote for the actual cost is like predicting the score of a game when the first pitch is thrown. Sure, player stats and team standings may be good indicators, but how any one game plays out can leave us in suspense until the bottom of the ninth. And so it is with floor preparation estimates. Every job is unique. Even with the benefit of a long experience curve, estimating involves a bit of a guestimating until the job is actually underway. This issue of Starlog will focus on subfloor preparation issues and floor installation estimates, which go together hand-in-glove.

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In 1992, a handful of independent professional flooring contractors from around the country came together to discuss a novel concept. By sharing knowledge, skills and resources with each other, they realized they could become a positive force for the betterment of their trade, and help their customers do their jobs better, too. Fifteen years later, and now 168 Members strong, these industry leaders hold true to their original vision. By doing so, they continue to earn the respect and trust of architects, designers, facility managers and the flooring industry’s premier manufacturers.

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Moisture-related floor covering failures are responsible for over $1 billion annually in damages. The problems range from cupping, buckling, blistering and adhesive failure to discoloration and mold growth. These issues can occur soon after the installation, and in some cases, years down the road. This StarLog provides information about concrete, moisture and pH problems and solutions.

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It may seem logical that purchasing carpet by itself, as opposed to through a qualified flooring professional, would result in a lower cost. However, carpet is not a stand-alone product. There are many additional services and expenses required to complete an installation project properly. A lower price does not necessarily mean a lower cost.
A recent national survey confirmed the increased expense of carpet as an exclusive purchase and explored the origins of these costs. The survey examined several components of carpet installation ranging from material price to management time to simple cost per square yard. The following table details these elements based on an average installation of 1,000 square yards. The resulting cost increase was between $3.55 and $7.21 per square yard.

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Patterned carpet is not new but its design sophistication is breaking new ground. With multiple colors and intricate patterns, these carpets were originally introduced to hide foot traffic wear and stains in large spaces. Today’s patterned carpet visuals have evolved into an art form. Carpet mills have engaged the services of big-name designers to develop exquisite patterns. The variety of standard and custom yarn colors is virtually endless. Plus, in addition to standard and semi-custom carpet patterns, state-of-the-art equipment can produce practically any visual you can imagine: small patterns, large patterns, geometrics, florals, free-forms and more!

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We’ve created our own maintenance monster, in a sense, because today’s carpets are masters of disguise. The intricate patterns mask soiling and stains.The advanced fibers and backings are engineered to resist crushing and fluid absorption.New dying techniques ensure that carpet colors stay bright, vibrant and colorfast.Yarn treatments applied during manufacturing and even some after-market treatments, effectively repel stains. All this can create a false sense of security. That’s because despite the latest manufacturing technology and can’t-see-the-stain visuals,carpets still need regular maintenance to look their best.Well maintained carpets are a good reflection on everybody who touches them:

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Patterned carpet now accounts for over 90% of commercial carpet installations, especially in high profile locations. The broad array of available styles and customized treatments defies description. Designers and facility managers know that patterned carpet has practical and aesthetic benefits. Functionally, patterns conceal seams, hide traffic lanes and wear, disguise stains and faded areas, and are easier to patch if damaged.Visually, patterns have evolved beyond the simple pin dots of yore to include intricate geometrics, free flowing waves, texture on texture, and truly custom design, not just custom color. Because many interior designs use the floor covering as the starting point for coordinating other finishes, patterned carpet creates exciting new design possibilities for commercial spaces.

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Imagine being one of the unlucky millions of people caught in the great black out of 2003 in New York City. While many of you watched the evening news with interest, those experiencing the power outage faced emotional panic plus the risk of personal injury in pitch black hallways and elevators. Considering that slip and fall injuries in the workplace alone are responsible for almost $5 billion dollars in wage replacement and medical payments, the additional costs for injuries in mercantile centers, hotels, and entertainment complexes caused by natural and unnatural disasters gives one pause to think.

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