C03B - MATERIAL GUIDES - SELECTION

C03B-1 General & Technical Information
C03B-2 Choosing the right Carpet
Preface:
This study guide covers commercial and residential carpet and related materials and their recommended uses. Specifiers and/or persons selecting such products should verify all facts relative to the particular project requirements.

1 • GENERAL AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION

.01    Carpet flooring manufacturers and suppliers have samples as well as technical information on their carpets available to the design authority. Some caution should be exercised          in reviewing this material so that any one carpet can be fairly compared to another. This involves careful scrutiny of the material specifications and test data.

.02    Technical information regarding installation methods is also available from the carpet manufacturers and suppliers in regard to their specific products. General information on              carpet installation is also available to a degree, from Provincial Floor Covering Associations.

2 • CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARPET

.01    Owners and Consultants (designers and specifiers) have an almost unlimited choice of carpet fibres, types, styles (designs and textures), colours, construction, and                          performance characteristics from which to choose. Carpets selected must not only be aesthetically pleasing to the designer and the end user (owner) but must also retain an              attractive appearance throughout their expected performance life. Paying careful attention to a number of factors in the selection process will ensure that the above noted                  expectations are achieved.

.02    Many factors enter into choosing the "right" carpet for commercial, institutional, and residential applications. Amongst the many things that should be considered (not          in any order of precedence) are the following:
  • Cost and quality.
  • Types and styles (texture and pattern - the look and feel or "hand" of the carpet).
  • Colour.
  • Performance and appearance retention (location and usage).
  • Fibre and density.
  • Size considerations.
  • Other considerations and benefits.
  • Guarantee / Warranties offered.
  • Stating the requirements (i.e., specifying the type of carpet required).
  • Precautions (Buyer beware).

.03    Carpet Cost and Quality
  • In choosing carpet there are a wide variety of choices and costs to choose from.

  • The cost of carpet is based on many factors, including type of fibre, carpet construction, and quality level (appearance and serviceability / life expectancy). The amount budgeted for carpet floor-coverings will therefore limit the range of choices available to choose from. In addition, the total cost for carpet should also consider the following requirements where appropriate:

    • Installation method including choice of adhesives.
    • Carpet cushion and installation.
    • Removal and/or replacement of baseboards.
    • Special requirements such as the addition of an underlayment, substrate preparation, etc.
    • Moving (i.e., removal and reinstallation) of furniture.
    • Removal and disposal of old flooring materials.
    • Maintenance considerations.
    • Other charges for rush orders, below minimum run quantities, special colours, custom designs, and special sizes.

  • A carpet's quality is determined both by appearance and serviceability. Styling, face pattern, texture, and colour will define the level of appearance quality of a carpet, while the ability of the carpet to resist soiling, crushing, wear, colour retention / fade resistance and the like will define the service quality of a carpet. In addition to serviceability, pile density, pile height, as well as weight of the yarn must also be considered. All of these factors have an impact on the cost of a carpet. Both appearance and serviceability as well as carpet construction will be dealt with in depth within this manual. Needless to say, the selection and purchase of carpet should never be based solely on appearance alone.

  • Providing that a realistic budget meeting the performance requirements and design parameters has been established, it is up to the Owner or designer to select carpet based on a fair and equitable evaluation of carpets meeting those requirements. It is very important to be well informed and to compare "apples to apples." Price alone should not be the sole criteria for selecting a carpet. The old adage of "you get what you pay for" should be remembered.

  • Purchasing carpet at special, reduced, or give-away prices often results in consumer / user dissatisfaction. Quality carpet and installation can never be obtained at the lowest price. Consumers / Owners should not attempt to "save" on performance and installation when they know they will be looking at the workmanship over the life of the carpet!

.04    Carpet Types and Styles

  • Since carpeting in any area has a major effect on the overall appearance, choosing a carpet style (texture and/or pattern) that complements the desired total effect is extremely important. As in colour, there are many carpet styles available to choose from:

    • Cut pile: A carpet with cut loops, leaving individual yarn tufts. Still one of today's most popular constructions, its durability is achieved through fibre type, density, tuft profile, and the amount of twist in the yarn.



    • Plush / Velvet: A carpet with a smooth, level "velvet" surface creating a formal atmosphere.



    • Saxony: A carpet with a smooth, level finish, but with pile yarns having more twist so that the yarn ends are visible, creating a less formal look.



    • Friezé: A cut pile carpet with extremely twisted yarns that form a "curly" textured surface. This informal "hard twist" look also minimizes footprints and vacuuming marks.



    • Level loop pile: A carpet with loops at the same height, creating an informal look. This type of carpet generally lasts a long time in high-traffic areas. Many of today's popular Berber styles are level loop styles with flecks of a darker colour on a lighter background.



    • Multi-level loop pile: A carpet usually having two to three different loop heights to create pattern effects and a more casual look. This style provides good durability.



    • Cut and loop pile: A carpet having a combination of cut and looped yarns that provide a variety of surface textures, including sculptured effects such as squares, chevrons, swirls, etc.


  • To add to a room's sophistication and interest, a textured pattern may be chosen. In addition to the carpet textures noted above, today's technology can produce multi-level loop and cut/loop patterns, such as diamonds, bows, pin dots, or fleurs-de-lis designs that "pop out" in sculptured effects. The texture, colours, and pattern of the carpet can be made to complement or contrast with furnishing patterns and window treatments. Using a solid coloured textured carpet is a great way to provide interest and pizzazz, without going to a multi-colour, overall patterned carpet. These textured styles are created through the use of several construction techniques and many are known for their soil-hiding ability.

  • A carpet's style, whether cut, loop, or a combination can also provide performance along with appearance retention. This should be considered even if it means sacrificing some of the preferred aesthetic characteristics.

.05    Carpet Colour
  • The choice of colour is a very subjective matter and one of personal choice. As one of the two main decorative elements within a space (the other being walls) the choice of a carpet's colour becomes very important in setting the "tone" and in contributing to the ambiance of the space that it is in. A carpets colour can be a neutral, blending in with other decorative elements (e.g. draperies and furnishings) and with other surfaces (e.g. wall paint and covering colours), or it can be a vibrant focal point of the area or room, making a statement.

  • Colour schemes: As carpet is available in an almost unlimited range of colours, a few general comments on the use colour is important:

    • A colour scheme is usually dictated by the two largest elements (the floor covering and the finish on the walls) with the most predominant or "leading" colour usually chosen for the floor.

    • One colour should normally predominate in a colour scheme with any other colour or colours complimenting or accenting the main colour.

    • A lighter colour will always make a room appear larger than a dark colour and darker colours will make a room more "cozy."

  • Forgetting about patterns and texture for the moment, there are three colour families to choose from:

    • Warm Tones: These colours are based on the warm red, yellow, and orange tones that impart a lively, exciting, and "friendly" or inviting feeling. They are especially suitable for areas that get little sunlight that might otherwise appear cold and dreary. They can be overpowering if used too profusely in small spaces, but can do a great deal to make a large room feel cosier.


    • Neutral Tones: These are colours that go well with both warm and cool colours and may be muted tones of either, yet do not stand out or make a bold statement. In a sense they tend to remain soft or "neutral" and in the background and compliment more than contrast with the bolder warm or cool tones.



    • Cool Tones: These colours are based on the cool blue and green tones that impart a cool, calming, and subdued feeling. They are especially suitable for areas that receive a lot of sunlight, and bring the "blue" sky and "green" vegetation into a space. They too can be overpowering and may "darken down" or close in a space if the colour is too intense or dark.

    • Black and White: Note these are not colours! Black is the absence of colour and is used to neutralize colours without disrupting a colour scheme while white is a combination of all colours and is used to lighten colours.


  • Colour Range: Each carpet manufacturer produces carpet in a range of colours that may vary from year to year based on design trends and marketing demands. Custom colours may also be available depending on quantity amount and production run capabilities. Carpet colours should be selected by the designer or Owner early in the design / planning stage and the colour availability confirmed with the supplier to ensure that the selected carpet colours will be available when required (at scheduled time of installation). This may also mean confirmation of carpet order with the Contractor at the start of construction.

  • Colour Variations: It must also be noted that in most carpets there may well be a variation of a colour between production runs of a particular dye lot as well as within the production run itself based on the particular dyeing method used. This must be considered and recognized and to ensure colour consistency the design authority or owner should request a sample of the particular carpet colour and specify that all carpet for the project (at least within a given area) should be from the same production (dye lot) run. It is also important to note that because of this there will be shade differences "permitted" (i.e., within industry or manufacturers "acceptable range" tolerances) in a particular production run from any "sample" selected and used in design and selection of colours.

  • Owners and designers should also be aware that when selecting specific colours from a manufacturers palette there might be a slight colour variation from the sample swatch and the actual carpet delivered to the site.

    • Lighting Affects: Since colours can change markedly under different light sources (a phenomenon known as metamerism), it is very important to consider the type of fluorescent and/or incandescent lighting to be employed within each area, the amount of natural or daylight that will be available and the type and tint of glass that may be used in the windows when selecting carpet colours. The use of large expanses of glass of various tints in buildings for example can account for unexpected differences in a carpet's appearance. Therefore even though in the vast majority of cases it is normally assumed that fluorescent and/or incandescent light will be the principal source of lighting, it is still important that large samples of all proposed carpets from various manufacturers meeting the same colour requirements be examined under lighting conditions as close as possible to those that will be in actual use before the final selection is made.

    • Where lighting will have a critical effect on a carpet, it is most important that this be recognized in specifying and accepting carpet colours.

      • Direction of Pile: Ideally, carpet should be installed with the pile or nap direction toward the entrance of the area or room, although other factors, such as traffic, pattern, aesthetics, and economic use of material, may also be considered. Pile direction has an affect on the perceived colour of a carpet with a "darker" look or appearance evident when looking into or against the pile, and a lighter colour evident when looking away or with the direction of the pile. This condition must be considered by the designer as well as the owner, particularly in regard to the matching or coordination of a carpet's colour with other design elements (such as wall paint and/or wall coverings, draperies, furnishing, etc.).

      • Contribution of Colour to Appearance Retention: The choice of colour also plays a key role in maintaining a carpets new appearance over time. Colour can create the illusion of cleanness by camouflaging soil. Medium and darker colours, as well as tweeds, and textures will help disguise carpet soiling to a degree, and new stain and soil resistant technology makes even lighter coloured carpet much easier to clean, allowing more decorating options. Working out a traffic flow pattern in advance together with a knowledge of the types of soil likely to be encountered will assist the designer and/or owner in making appropriate colour and pattern judgments as well as selecting the fibre type to use. There are a few key points to remember:

      • Perceived colour is affected by the type of lighting used.

      • The extremes of the colour spectrum (very light or very dark) tend to show more soiling.

      • Solid colours reveal more dirt and foot traffic than multi-coloured or random patterned carpets. A neutral, medium-colour carpet shows less dirt than a darker or lighter colour.

      • Effects, such as patterns, and "tweeds" or "heathers" combining more than one colour help conceal soil.

    .06    Carpet Performance and Appearance Retention

    • A primary concern affecting the choice of carpet is its life expectancy, i.e., how long is it expected to last before it will be replaced. A better grade of carpet will give a greater length of service than one of lesser quality. The best grade should be considered for heavy traffic areas within commercial and retail space or in multi-residential facilities such corridors, stairs, meeting areas, etc., whereas a medium grade will provide good service in areas of less traffic such as offices, bedrooms, etc.

    • To maximize performance and appearance retention, one must decide what type of carpet is most appropriate for the type of installation. This entails determining the use or function of the area or room and the amount of traffic it will be subjected to in residential, commercial, or institutional settings.

    • Traffic Wear: In any building there are different levels and patterns of traffic. Within each area these levels and traffic patterns will vary from high traffic (such as corridors, stairs, areas with rolling stock, etc.) to medium traffic (such as individual offices, and open office space), or to low traffic (such as residential areas depending on the room function). The traffic concentration in each could differ greatly going from funnel areas, where large numbers of people must frequently pass (such as entry doors, in front of elevators, carpeted stairs, etc.), to private offices or residential areas having only a few people in and out each day. In such situations, it may be necessary to choose different carpets for the different traffic flow areas or a single carpet that would give acceptable performance in the most highly trafficked sectors. This is an important consideration from a cost point of view.
    • Whereas a dense, low pile height, loop-pile carpet may be the more appropriate choice for heavy-traffic areas, in lighter traffic areas such as offices, residents, and other areas a cut-pile carpet may be a good choice. And, in moderate or low traffic areas either a cut-pile, loop-pile, or cut and loop carpet may be quite appropriate.

      • Rolling Traffic: The degree to which an area to be carpeted will be exposed to rolling traffic also has to be taken into consideration. This type of traffic may be anything from office chairs, wheelchairs, motorized scooters, to heavy trolleys such as those encountered in libraries, stores, and hospitals. Whether or not a carpet will stand up to this type of use will depend on a number of factors including the weight and frequency of this wheeled traffic, the type of casters used, the likelihood of friction burns, the texture of the carpet, and the type of carpet installation used. In addition, the long-term effects of such use on the carpet backing must also be considered.

      • Mobility Impairment: Carpet must also be chosen carefully for use in areas where persons may have some mobility impairment, such as in most public buildings, care facilities, senior's residences, etc. Where Individuals will be in wheelchairs, on crutches, or using walkers, the carpet floor cover should be as smooth and compact as possible. Such carpet should have low, densely packed, level-loop pile for ease of movement. In addition glue-down carpet installation must be used to keep the carpet from shifting. Where individuals are likely to shuffle when walking (as in some care facilities) they can build up a painful static electricity charge. In this case an antistatic treatment is also an important consideration.

      • Moisture Resistance: Performance considerations in regard to moisture permeability are especially important in the demanding environments of educational and health care facilities, as well as in restaurant and some retail and commercial environments. Such issues as spillage of food, beverage, and medications, as well as incontinence must be considered. These issues must be clarified and carefully addressed by the design and specifying authorities. Generally, for wear and tear, loop-pile carpet with a moisture-resistant or impermeable backing will keep beverage spills on top of the carpet. Loop-pile carpet with a vinyl backing is effective for corridor and entryway carpet, but is not necessary in administrative offices that receive little heavy foot traffic.

      • Performance Rating: Many carpet manufacturers provide performance ratings based on independent testing results of traffic testing which are graded or scaled by visual comparison with Appearance Change Grading Scales supplied by the Carpet and Rug Institute. This rating system is based on a 5-point scale, with 5 as no change and 1 as a very severe change. A carpet with a higher performance rating (such as 4 or 5) is one that will maintain its new appearance longer in various traffic conditions than one with a lower performance rating. A 2 to 3 rating is good for areas with less traffic.

      .07    Carpet Fibre and Density:

      • Choosing the right carpet fibre plays an important part in a carpet's performance (e.g., abrasion and soil resistance, colour fastness, resiliency, etc.).
      • The type of fibre selected as well as any specific modifications made to it by the fibre manufacturer will determine, in part, how a carpet will resist wear, crushing, and matting.
        • For any carpet to retain its new look however, face weight and density should be matched to the amount of foot traffic or its expected performance level.
        • Face Weight: The total weight of face yarn (i.e. yarn above the backing).

          Pile Weight: The weight of the pile yarns expressed in grams per square metre (or ounces per square yard).

          Density (USA):The weight of pile yarn in a unit volume of carpet, expressed in ounces per cubic yard. Average pile density factors for commercial carpets range from 4200 to 8000. Density (D) is determined by multiplying the pile yarn weight (W) in ounces per square yard by 36 and dividing the total by the pile height (H) or thickness (T) in inches, as expressed in the formula:
          D = W x 36
                 H or T

          Density (Canada):The amount of pile in a given area of carpet reflective of the closeness of the pile tufts. Expressed as kilotex per cm², it reflects the percent of surface covered with fibres.

          Kilotex:A metric measurement that describes the density of a carpet without considering pile height. It considers the size or denier of the yarn at any given twist, the number of ends in the width and the number of stitches in the length.

          • Carpet performance is associated, in part, with pile yarn density. Density or the amount of pile yarn in a unit volume of carpet is influenced by many factors, such as gauge or stitches per inch across the width, yarn size or thickness, and pile height. A "fat" (larger) yarn can be tufted at a wider gauge and receive the same density as a fine yarn at a small gauge. For areas where heavy foot traffic is likely a kilotex rating of 12 or more for 10 gauge carpet and a kilotex rating of 11 or over for 12 or 13 gauge carpet may be necessary (In the USA this means a density rating of 5000 to 7000 or more).

          .08    Carpet Size Considerations:

          • There are several size options when choosing a carpet with each having it's own advantages.

          • "Standard" 3660 mm (12'-0") wide broadloom carpet is versatile whether it is seamed in large rooms or cut into shapes. Larger 4115 (13'-6") and 4575 mm (15'-0") widths are also manufactured by a few mills. These sizes may result in less cutting and seams but may be limited to certain types of carpet fibre or constructions.

          • 1830 mm (6 foot) wide broadloom (usually with specialty backing) is also manufactured by some mills. This width may be used in areas that may benefit from such a size as in corridors or in narrow rooms, and to save waste in cutting. Such roll widths are also easier to handle in regard to size and weight and may be of benefit where roll handling or access restrictions due to length and weight are an issue such as access in high-rise buildings and where elevator cab size is limited.

          • Modular or carpet tile varying in measurement from 460, 610, or 915 mm (18", 24", or 36") square can duplicate seamed broadloom or produce a stylized look by using tiles in contrasting colours or alternating carpet pile direction, e.g., giving every other tile a quarter turn. This type of carpet installation also offers flexibility in that worn or soiled tiles can be selectively replaced. In addition, ready access to under floor services is easier when carpet tile is used in conjunction with pedestal or raised access flooring systems.

          .09    Other Considerations and Benefits:

          • Flammability Issues: All carpets sold in Canada must meet the flammability requirements of the Hazardous Products Act. However, in critical areas such as some locations in high-rise buildings, a different set of standards is applied as defined in the National, Provincial, or Municipal Building Codes. It is therefore important that the Design and Specifying authorities takes these regulations into account when defining the flooring system that will be employed. This also includes carpet cushion if one is used. For further information on flammability as well as on pertinent regulations and standards refer to Part A08A - Flammability Issues.

          • Static Propensity: Under certain atmospheric conditions a carpet can build up an electro-static charge when walked on, with an equal, but opposite charge being accumulated on the walker. If the person then contacts a conductor such as a door handle, an annoying "shock" may be experienced. The amount and severity of the charge depends principally on the two materials involved (the pile fibre and the type of footwear) and on the relative humidity of the environment.
          • Most carpet fibres used in contract carpets are now manufactured with anti-static components contained in them or the carpets are topically treated to prevent static build-up; the latter being a less permanent solution. It is generally accepted that products that have a static range of 3.5 kv or less (either positive or negative) under standard test conditions of 20% relative humidity will not bother most people. Most commercial carpets now sold meet this criterion as a minimum.

            In certain situations, however, it is sometimes necessary to meet more stringent requirements, especially locations with sensitive electronic equipment. In these situations what is required is a conductive floor system. It is wise to discuss exact requirements with the carpet manufacturer to ensure that an installation meeting the site requirements is obtained.

            • Acoustical Benefits: Carpeting can improve the acoustical quality of an interior space. It has been shown to make a valuable contribution to the reduction of noise within buildings and to give considerable assistance in providing suitable acoustic properties in theatres, concert halls, lecture rooms, etc. Two properties are involved in the control of noise in a room:

            • Sound absorption: This is concerned with the taking-up of airborne noise.

            • Impact sound insulation: This involves the reduction of sound from walking over carpeted floors, both the room itself and in other areas (e.g. the room below) to which the impact noise may be transmitted.
            In most cases carpet installed over suitable cushion will provide an adequate noise reduction coefficient provided that the floor system retains most of its original thickness under use. In sites where this property may have particular significance, however, the carpet manufacturer should be consulted for the best combination to achieve the desired results. Tests conducted by the Carpet and Rug Institute have indicated the following conclusions:


            • Carpet cushion will increase the carpet's effectiveness to reduce sound.

            • Carpet cushion provides better impact noise reduction than cushion bonded to the carpet back.

            • Carpet pile fibre variations have little or no influence on sound-absorption.

            • Cut pile carpet is more effective for sound absorption than loop pile. As pile height and density increase, sound absorption improves.

            • For loop pile carpet, height is more important than density.

          • Insulation Benefits: The use of carpet can add to the total insulation or thermal value of a floor assembly. As is the case with most insulation materials, the thicker the insulating system (carpet, cushion, and sub-floor) the better the insulating properties. In this regard, carpet pile density and the use and type of a cushion are important factors affecting the insulation value. In general, the following points are to be noted:

            • Carpeting can reduce heat loss through a substrate. Savings may be noticeable in extreme climates, especially if the carpet is installed over an uninsulated floor or over a crawl space or concrete slab.

            • all-to-wall carpet constructed with a deep, dense pile installed over a thick, densely air-pocketed urethane cushion insulates best.

          • Carpets should not be used in a sunlit space intended for passive solar collection. Research shows even the thinnest of carpets will impede solar collection in the floor heat sink.

          • Cushion and Carpet over Radiant Heated Floors: Carpet and cushion is, by design, a thermal insulator. Although radiant floor heating is quite tolerant of cushion and carpet, there are some limitations. Although carpet is made from a variety of materials, most are synthetic and have similar thermal resistance (RSI / R) values generally around RSI 0.18 / R1.0 for a 6 mm (1/4") thick carpet. On the other hand the thermal value of carpet cushion can vary greatly depending on the materials it is made from. Generally speaking the denser the cushion the lower its thermal value will be. Dense cushion is recommended by most carpet manufacturers for maximum support, durability, comfort, and beauty retention of the carpet.
          • Cushion density varies with the type of cushion. For example a 10 mm (3/8") thick prime urethane cushion has a thermal resistance value of RSI 0.28 / R 1.62 while a 6 mm (1/4") thick rubber slab cushion only has a thermal value of RSI 0.05 / R 0.31. This means that the floor under a prime urethane cushion must be warmer than under a rubber cushion in order to transfer an equal amount of heat to the surface. It will also take longer for the heat to transfer through a prime urethane cushion on initial start-up of the heating system. Both the designer and installer of radiant systems should be aware of these limitations in order to compensate for the difference in cushion used. It is also important for the Owner or designer to inform the radiant heating designer of the carpet cushion selected. In addition, any last minute substitution of carpet cushion could mean the failure of the radiant heating system to perform.

            Less dense urethane cushions are most commonly used in residential applications because of price and ease of installation due to their light weight and workability.

            Of note is that not all rubber cushions are the same. There are two types, slab and ribbed or "waffle". Slab rubber cushion is a flat foamed rubber while waffle cushion is formed in a corrugated pattern similar in appearance to a waffle. The quality of rubber used is important. Less expensive products use clay fillers and have an oily substance that can leach out over time, particularly when heat is applied. This may result is a cushion that crumbles when it gets old.

            If cushion and/or carpet is to be glued over a radiant heated substrate surface it is imperative that the adhesive manufacturers requirements for substrate temperature be strictly adhered to.



          .10    Guarantees and Warranties:

          • Over and above the one year materials and labour warranty that is part of a construction contract a number of other guarantees and warranties may be provided by the fibre or carpet manufacturer and/or by the carpet supplier / installer. These either extend the typical one-year labour and materials warranty or provide additional specified coverage and should be issued in writing as of the date of Substantial Performance.

          • The extent and duration of coverage of any guarantee or warranty is a good indication of the quality and durability of a carpet. Recognizing and understanding this is the most reliable way to know what you are buying and what sort of appearance will be maintained a few years down the road.

          • For an explanation of warranty and guarantee differences refer to Part A06 – Guarantees and Warranties.

          • Carpet warranties: There are a number that may be offered by fibre or carpet manufacturers. Some of these include:

            • Fibre manufacturer warranties:

              • Manufacturing defects warranties: These cover defects in materials and workmanship but do not cover appearance. They do not normally cover mill seconds or mill trials and in some cases do not include commercial and non-residential carpet.

              • Appearance retention warranties: These are probably the most common warranties. These warrant that the carpet fibre will provide a specified level of appearance (usually against matting and crushing), subject to proper care and maintenance. It offers no protection against manufacturing defects and makes no performance promises.

              • Wear warranties: These offer a level of physical or abrasive wear, subject to proper care and maintenance and irrespective of fibre appearance. It offers no protection against manufacturing defects and makes no performance promises.

              • Fibre warranties: These offer assurance that the fibre was made by a reliable source, an important consideration, but they usually give no indication of the performance quality of the carpet.

              • Colourfastness to light and/or colourfastness to atmospheric contaminants warranties: These offer stated assurances against very specific conditions and materials.

              • Stain resistance warranties: Since there are a lot of stain-resistance processes on the market, proven results from the mill or fibre manufacturer should be reviewed. Some cover residential installations only, and only common household spills such as soft drinks, milk, etc.

            • Carpet manufacturer warranties:

              • Product warranties: These cover faulty materials (fibre, backing, fibre / carpet treatments such as anti-static and anti-mildew treatments).

              • Warranties against unravelling, zippering, and delamination / deterioration of backing: These usually exclude wet or steam cleaning methods.

              • Appearance retention warranties: These usually state that the carpet will resist matting and crushing as defined by the manufacturer for a specific period of time. This is one warranty that is critical in regard to long-term performance.

            • Carpet supplier warranties: (over and above one year construction warranty)

              • Installation warranties: Against installation defects such as seam failures, stretching, bubbling, etc.
            • Adhesive manufacturer warranties:

              • Adhesive failure: These include materials and may also include labour.
          .11    Stating the Requirements (or specifying the type of carpet required):

          • Specifying Colour: Specifying carpet colours requires knowledge of the above noted issues. Once the choice of a particular colour or colours has been chosen from a manufacturers carpet samples or yarns the design authority (specifier) must insert this information into both the Finish Schedule and the specification. If several different types of carpets and/or colours are used on a project, type numbers must be assigned, ensuring that they are shown for each respective area on the Finish Schedule.



          • Specifying carpet also informs the carpet mill or manufacturer in exact terms, not only how the carpet is to be made but will also determine the look, size, weight, construction type, and colouring method. Due diligence and a correct and clearly written carpet specification is a necessity to obtain the required results. This should be done by a design professional who clearly understands the specification writing process and requirements using the correct format and content. How is this done?

          • Having examined the sort of traffic to which the area(s) under consideration will be subjected to, having selected an overall colour scheme and texture style, and making a preliminary decision on the generic fibre or fibres suitable for the project, the next step is to precisely define the construction and performance elements. These choices must be made to provide optimum performance and desired aesthetics and once made should be carefully discussed with and examined by various carpet manufacturer representatives to see if they are within project budget parameters.

          • A performance specification will precisely describe what the proper carpet should do, but not how it should do it. Such a specification would described the degree to which the carpet can be expected to retain its appearance under traffic, environmental, and other conditions found in the area. Factors such as fading, soiling, staining, crushing and compression are all measures of a carpets ability to retain its colour and texture and are therefore performance criteria. Maintenance of colour will depend upon the fastness of the dyestuffs and dyeing method used and how they react to sunlight, other environmental factors, chemicals, etc. Maintenance of texture depends on the suitability of the particular carpet style or construction to its application, the characteristics of the pile fibre, the yarn construction and the carpet construction. Additional performance criteria include such aspects as flammability, static propensity, tuft bind, delamination strength, and dimensional stability. While it would be preferable to build a specification entirely on performance criteria, it is usually necessary to combine both construction and performance elements since not all performance properties are capable of being precisely defined and measured.

          • Writing a carpet specification also requires knowledge of carpet installation methods and materials as well as basic construction and how various elements, such as concrete substrates, will influence a carpet's final performance. The specifier must also be aware of established Code and industry standards, and where applicable, incorporate these within the specification as well. The specification should also be written in such a manner that it allows for the consideration of as many products conforming to the specification requirements as possible and is not limited to a style produced by only one manufacturer.

          .12    Precautions (Caveat Emptor or Buyer Beware):

          • To alleviate problems resulting from the improper selection of carpet and improper installation, it is the Consumer's responsibility to be properly informed. Both the design professional and the carpet dealer also have an obligation to inform the consumer of the pertinent facts in choosing appropriate carpets.

          • One way to be assured of receiving quality floor coverings and a professional installation is to deal with reputable and knowledgeable firms who will charge a fair and reasonable price for all materials and installation services.  Firms that are proud to provide a quality installation are aware that by doing so they have created one more satisfied customer who will return to purchase again.