In general, commercial carpeting has a much shorter lifespan than most other flooring materials. Even though the first-generation carpets usually lasted 8-10 years, the latest generation of products can last anywhere from 10-15 years or even longer. Commercial carpets tend to average seven years for their lifespan and usefulness. Every case is individual, however, and how much foot traffic the carpeting has seen will obviously influence longevity. Several factors can influence how durable commercial carpeting might be. When you understand the relationship factors, you may be able to help your carpet last even longer.

How Much Foot Traffic Is the Carpeting Exposed To?

The Texture Appearance Retention Rating (TARR) is a measure that can help you understand how well a carpet will retain its look under significant foot traffic. There are three ratings: moderate, heavy, and severe. The higher the rating, the longer the carpet will last. Get a lower-rated carpet and put it under severe foot traffic; it won’t last long. Choose the carpet that fits the foot traffic you expect, or go for a higher rating for an even longer lifespan.

Was the Commercial Carpeting Professionally Installed?

A good installation can increase the lifespan of your flooring and make it more durable commercial carpeting. For this reason, it’s essential that you choose an experienced commercial carpet installer. Taking a DIY approach or other shortcuts during installation can come back and cost you more in the long term than simply relying on a professional installation from the beginning.

Are New Manufacturing Processes Better?

When choosing to carpet for a commercial facility, look for newer manufacturing processes and materials. Nylon carpet will last longer than a similar carpet made from polyester and olefin. Nylon resists abrasion and is easier to clean. It will also resist moisture, thus making it resistant to mold and mildew. Solution-dyed nylon is the best choice since it adds color during the fiber’s production rather than after. This makes it much more resistant to fading and staining.

The Addition of Padding

Carpets can be worn from both above and below. For this reason, a padded layer will improve the life expectancy of your commercial carpet. It will keep the carpet from being worn from the bottom by providing it with a slightly cushioned underneath layer. This is also beneficial for reducing the impact of a potential trip or fall. 

The presence of pets and children can shorten the lifespan of carpets. Pets are known to scratch or dig carpets. As well, wear and tear from both pets and children can shorten the lifespan of carpets.

Regular food and beverage spills can also quickly damage the subflooring and cause carpeting to rot. All food spills should be quickly cleaned from the flooring if you want to maintain the aesthetics and functionality.

How to Recognize a Worn Carpet

Instances could occur whereby the carpet may look fine on the surface, but it may be rotting underneath from spills, etc. In some cases, trying to determine when to replace a carpet is not always easy. While it is obvious that a ripped and worn-out carpet requires replacement, sometimes a tired-looking carpet may just need professional cleaning and shampooing. So how does one tell if the carpet needs to be replaced? A worn carpet can be identified by several signs. 

Carpet stains

if you have stains on the carpet which cannot be removed with professional cleaning or shampooing, then it is time to replace the carpet. The majority of carpets come with a finish that is designed to be resistant to stains.  However, after a period, the treatment can fade, and the carpet is left unprotected. While professional carpet cleaning services can remove most stains, there are some which are impossible to remove. Stains caused by wine, plant food, bleach, and mustard are usually difficult to remove, and often the stain removal methods can make the carpet look worse. Anytime carpet stains are not promptly removed, they will build mildew and mold under the carpet. At this point, no treatment will work and replacement flooring should be sought.

General wear and tear

If the carpet looks worn out even after regular vacuuming, it most likely is time for a replacement. Signs of wear and tear include tears, matted fibers, missing fibers, bald spots, and uneven colors. These disturbances of the carpet’s original appearance can make any room look dirty and unclean. While you can continue with a worn-out carpet for a little while, perhaps, if you want to restore beautiful aesthetics to the space, a new carpet is recommended.

Carpet padding condition

The carpet padding supports the carpet and makes it comfortable to walk and lie on. The padding, or cushioning, underneath the carpet’s surface also keeps the room quiet and buffers noise. When the padding is old or has encountered many spills and been through many cleanings, it may lose its functionality. Signs of old padding include wrinkles, unevenness, bumps, and thinned-out segments of the carpet. 

Worsening allergies 

As carpets get older, they tend to retain and accumulate more dirt, debris, and pet dander. Suddenly, someone in the household may notice that they are coughing and sneezing more often than usual, developing runny eyes and nose, and just generally not feeling right. The reason could be that the carpet is releasing dirt into the air and worsening the allergies. In such scenarios, it may be more cost-effective to replace a carpet than to visit allergy doctors.

Older carpet 

Eventually, all carpets reach the end of their useful life. At some point, it will need to be replaced.  Most carpets have a life span of 10 years and even with good maintenance, you will only be able to extend its duration for a few more years. If you’ve had your carpet longer than that, its days could be numbered. After 10 years, you will definitely see signs of aging in a carpet, such as bald patches, thinning, matted fibers, fading, ripples, wrinkles, and dullness. At any of these stages, it is time to replace your carpet.

You want something new 

New carpet styles and designs appear on a regular basis and perhaps you have simply grown tired of the old look. There is nothing wrong with keeping up with new trends as long as you can afford it. If your carpet starts to look old or does not match with your new furniture or changed interior décor, perhaps something new may help restore the aesthetics of the office or facility.

CONCLUSION

Ensure you follow the above guidelines when you choose durable commercial carpeting to get the most from its lifespan. If you are considering replacing your carpet, consult with a professional first. Perhaps your carpet may just be in need of some professional cleaning or need a minor repair. A professional may be able to provide you with more clarity as to whether your carpet needs to be replaced or repaired. If you decide to go with a replacement, they can provide you with guidance regarding the options available to you.  Call East Coast Flooring & Interiors today at 1-954-626-8053 to speak to a knowledgeable service professional.