Business owners have several choices when it comes to carpets. Carpets are made from many materials, but the most popular include nylon, polyester, acrylic, and wool. While each has its pros and cons, wool appears to be the best carpet for commercial use. It presents several strengths for commercial use. Is it always the best choice? Let’s look at the pros and cons of wool carpets in commercial spaces to decide if wool is the best carpet choice for you:
PROS
Very Durable
Wool has evolved over millions of years to resist cold, heat, rain, and snow, which is great protection for sheep. It is naturally resilient because evolution has meant that sheep because coiled fibers have been adapted to provide for strength and durability. A notable feature of wool is its inherent elasticity, allowing the fibers to snap back to their original thickness. Unlike many synthetic fibers, wool is extremely tough to mat down or damage with heavy loads or furniture placement. Synthetics can be made to share this trait, but not in a way that lasts as long.
Color and Texture
Wool carpet can be the best carpet for commercial use because it won’t wear as quickly as other types of carpet. You can clean it more efficiently and worry less that the color will fade or the texture will dull. Wool fiber contains several proteins and chemicals that absorb color very easily, which can give wool carpets greater depth and vibrancy of color. The molecular structure of wool fibers enables them to accept dye and lock it in for many years.
Maintenance and Care
Maintenance costs will be less for the upkeep of wool carpets for commercial use. Beyond this, wool is naturally water resistant and difficult to stain. Always clean a spill immediately on any type of carpet, but you won’t have to worry about a single coffee spill ruining the whole look.
Cleanability
Wool fibers come with a natural coating that resists water-based stains, which make up the majority of liquid spills in businesses. The overlapping structure of the wool fiber is similar to roofing shingles; they help repel debris and dirt and shield the inner part of the fiber from accumulating dirt and liquids. Since all dirt and debris remain on the surface of the carpet, it is easy to clean.
Wool Insulates
Wool can be the best carpet for commercial use because it is a natural insulator. That means wool carpets can contribute to energy savings. Whatever temperature a room is, wool will prevent cooling or heating loss that makes your air conditioner or heating system have to work harder.
Environmental Benefit
Wool carpets for commercial use can absorb moisture from the environment, which helps reduce the indoor humidity that is so common in Florida. The ability of wool to absorb moisture also helps reduce static electricity discharges, which are common during the dry winter months. Other advantages include the fact that wool is not only biodegradable but can be recycled when you’re with the carpet has served its useful life for you.
Flame Resistant
Wool is also flame-resistant. Its ignition point is higher than synthetic carpet, making it more resistant to lit cigarettes, dropped matches, candles, sparks, and other sources of fire. This allows you to have carpet in your commercial space while keeping your fire risk at a minimum. Busy and crowded public facilities. like hotels, casinos, conventions, and airports often have wool carpets installed for this reason.
Filter
Wool carpet also functions as a filter. Its natural fibers are able to absorb and retain chemicals and gases, like nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde, from the environment. These are byproducts of the use of fireplaces, stoves, heaters, and smoking.
Hypoallergenic
Unlike synthetic fibers, natural wool fibers are hypoallergenic. For people with conditions like asthma or allergies, using wool carpets should also be helpful. Wool is able to attract allergens from the air and prevent their transmission to other places.
CONS
Cost
Wool can cost a bit more than nylon or polyester options. That cost is reasonable once you consider wool’s longevity and other advantages, but if you’re budget-limited, another option may be more realistic.
Cleaning Issues
While water-based spills can be easily cleaned from wool carpets, the same does not apply if the spill is oil-based. This is even more difficult if any spill is not immediately cleaned as the liquid can seep through the carpet and enter the backing and subfloor, where it may eventually cause staining or rot.
While a regular vacuum will suffice for cleaning, it is highly recommended that the wool carpet be professionally cleaned at least once or twice a year to restore the aesthetics and remove any stains or odors. This addition can attribute to the overall cost.
Water Absorbency
While the ability to absorb water vapor from the air is deemed a positive thing, absorbing too much water into the carpet is not good for the overall longevity of the flooring. Large amounts of moisture can seep through the back wall and enter the subfloor. This can lead to the growth of mold and mildew and eventually to bad odors or potentially rot. In areas of excessive wetness, wool carpets should be avoided.
Shredding
Even though wool fibers are tightly knitted and looped into the backing, shredding can sometimes still occur. This may happen due to heavier-than-normal foot traffic or furniture that may cause friction to the fiber. While the amount of shredding is usually small, it needs to be removed with regular vacuuming, or it may lead to allergies and sneezing spells in people prone to asthma.
Some Insects Like Wool
If you have insect problems, you may want to consider synthetics instead. Pests, such as clothes moths and the aptly named carpet beetle, find wool to be a delicacy. To prevent this, wool is often pre-treated with Permethrin. That’s an insecticide. While Permethrin has been assessed to be safe (it’s used in bug spray meant to go on clothes), you may feel uncomfortable with the idea of a carpet treated with it. If you don’t have insect problems, consult your flooring expert, but you should be fine without the pre-treat.
CONCLUSION
Wool is arguably the best carpet for commercial use on the market because its strengths far outweigh its few drawbacks. That doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for every circumstance, but it will be far and away the best choice for many businesses. And although it may cost more than other floorings, with the right choice, you will be rewarded with flooring that lasts long and remains functional for many years. Weigh all your options and keep the wool carpet for commercial use in mind when you need durable, colorful, and easy-to-maintain flooring.
Trust the experts at East Coast Flooring & Interiors to help you assess the needs of your business. They have years of experience with flooring options and installation. Call them today at 1-954-266-0841 for a free estimate.
