Commercial Carpet Options and Tips on Choosing the One That’s Right for Your Space

Sometimes it can feel like the design options are endless. And you are ready to get down to business!

You want an aesthetically pleasing space that is comfortable for customers and employees alike. Eye-catching, functional, and sound-absorbant flooring is a great place to start. 

Let’s look at what is available in the realm of commercial carpet options and how to pick the best one to meet your business’s specific needs. Interior Motives Flooring is ready to assist with selection and installation of your new commercial carpet. 

Table of Contents

• What Type of Carpet Is Best for Commercial Use?
• Top 3 Commercial Carpet Options
• Why Commercial Grade Carpeting Options Are Worth Considering
• Factors To Think About When Choosing the Type of Commercial Carpet for Your Space
• Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Carpet Options
• Interior Motives Flooring Can Help You Choose the Right Commercial Carpet Option for Your Needs and Install It With Skill and Expertise

What Type of Carpet Is Best for Commercial Use?

There are several important considerations when it comes to the best carpet for your business. First off, you want a commercial-grade carpet, which differs from a carpet designed for residential applications. Commercial-grade carpet is more durable, stain resistant, easy to clean, and is specially designed for high traffic areas. 

From there, several types of carpet are available for commercial use:

• Carpet rolls are a great option for large spaces and a seamless look.
• Carpet tiles are good for modular spaces and very high traffic areas.
• Carpet planks are similar to tiles and offer unique geometric, modern design options.

To choose the best option, think about the look you want to achieve, budget you are working with, and traffic levels in different areas of your commercial space. 

Top 3 Commercial Carpet Options

Rolls

Carpet rolls are what is typically known as wall-to-wall carpet. Carpet rolls offer a seamless and luxurious look and feel for large and open spaces. They offer great sound absorption and comfort as well.

Be aware that installation, repair, and replacement for carpet rolls can be more expensive than carpet tiles or planks. 

Tiles

Carpet tiles are squares made of carpet material, most often 24 inches in size, that are fantastic for a wide variety of spaces. There are many stylish designs available, and they can work well for large, small, and irregular spaces. 

Commercial grade carpet tiles are made to be very wear-resistant and versatile. A major perk of carpet tiles is that they can be easily swapped in small sections, avoiding the need to replace large areas when damage or excessive wear occurs. 

Potential downsides are that they may not offer the same acoustic benefits or luxury feel that carpet rolls do.

Planks

Carpet planks are similar to carpet tiles as they are also designed to be installed in a modular manner. They are rectangular in shape and most often 12″ x 48″ or 18″ x 36″ in size. 

Like carpet tiles, there are many design choices with carpet planks. It is easy to replace sections as needed, rather than the whole floor or large sections at once. 

The biggest downside of carpet planks compared with rolls is that they are often not as thick or luxurious in look or feel, and as a result do not offer the same level of sound benefits.

Why Commercial Grade Carpeting Options Are Worth Considering

Commercial grade carpeting offers a number of benefits over other commercial grade hard flooring options. Here are some reasons you may want to go with commercial carpeting: 

• Durability: Commercial grade carpet is made to last. It offers exceptional longevity, even with substantial wear and tear. Materials commonly used to make commercial grade carpeting include nylon, olefin, and polypropylene, which are long-lasting and stain resistant. 
• Versatility: Commercial carpet is versatile because it comes in many colors, patterns, and styles. It is easy to complement other design elements in a space with the plethora of commercial carpeting options. 
• Easy to maintain and stain resistant: Nylon, the most commonly used fiber for carpet, is extremely stain resistant. Routine cleaning and periodic deep cleaning of commercial carpets keep them looking as good as new. 
• Fire resistance: Synthetic fiber carpet, such as nylon or polyester, can be treated with flame retardants to increase their fire resistance. Carpets are often categorized by fire rating classifications (like Class I or Class II) which indicate how quickly a flame spreads across the material. Commercial spaces often require carpets with higher fire resistance ratings due to safety concerns. 
• ADA Compliant: ADA-compliant carpet should be a level or textured loop, level cut pile, or level cut/uncut pile with firm cushions. ADA-compliant flooring must be level, slip-resistant, and firm. 
• Air Quality Certification: Wool is often the most environmentally friendly carpet material choice. If you need to use synthetic carpet, select Green Label Plus-or Greenguard certified carpet, which meet the highest indoor air quality standards. 
• Acoustic benefits: Carpet dampens sounds, lending to a quieter and more tranquil environment than a space with hard flooring. 
• Comfort and safety: Carpets are not only more comfortable to walk on than hard surfaces, they can also offer a higher level of slip resistance and cushioned protection in the event of a fall. 

Factors To Think About When Choosing the Type of Commercial Carpet for Your Space

Commercial grade carpet sounds good, now let’s dive into what factors you need to consider to select the best carpet out of available options on the market. 

Budget

Know what your budget is from the start as you research the different options. There are wide-ranging differences in the prices of different commercial grade carpets. Generally speaking, carpet rolls are the most expensive of the carpet options in several different regards. They typically have the highest cost per square foot, for installation, and for eventual repair and replacement. 

Maintenance

Synthetic fibers like nylon and polypropylene are the easiest to clean and maintain. They are both incredibly durable and stain resistant materials. 

Carpet tiles and planks are simpler to repair and replace, as it is possible to change out select tiles if damaged versus needing to replace the entire or large sections of the floor.

Aesthetics

The look you’re going for can help you decide which type is the best option for your commercial space. For a cozy space, wall to wall carpet might be best. For something more sleek and modern, tiles or planks may be the way to go. At Interior Motives Flooring, we offer all the top brands and hundreds of design options, making it simple to choose the carpet that will give you the look you want. 

Traffic

Generally, synthetic materials, such as nylon, are more durable and longer lasting than natural carpet materials like wool. Commercial grade carpets are designed to be wear-resistant and ideal for high-traffic areas. Keep in mind what we mentioned about ease of repair and replacement, and that carpet tiles or planks are probably the ideal choices for your highest traffic areas. 

Environmental Impact

If sustainability and care for the planet are top priorities for your business, you definitely want to make a conscious choice of an environmentally-friendly carpet option. Ask us at Interior Motives Flooring about the many Green Label Plus certified carpet options, which meet the highest industry standard for indoor air quality. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Carpet Options

How Much Should Commercial Carpet Cost?

Commercial carpet costs in the range of $2 to $12 per square foot installed, depending on the carpet type. Commercial wall-to-wall carpeting generally costs $5 to $12 per square foot, while carpet tiles are typically in the range $2 to $11 per square foot.

At Interior Motives Flooring, we offer options for every budget, from the most economical to the most luxurious. Determine your flooring budget so we can help you evaluate all the commercial flooring options in your budget range. 

What Is Commercial Carpet Made Of?

Commercial carpet is most often made of synthetic fibers such as nylon, polypropylene, or polyester. There are natural options, made out of wool and blends of wool with synthetic fibers. The reason synthetic fibers are most often used for commercial carpeting is due to their durability, ease of maintenance, and stain resistance. 

Does Commercial Carpet Need Padding?

Commercial carpet doesn’t always need padding, but it can be best in some cases. 

Here are some things to know about carpet padding and potential uses for it:

• Rubber roll underlayment: Rubber underlay is a durable padding option that provides some give.
• Concrete subfloors: Padding can help keep the space warmer and provide greater comfort.
• Noise reduction: Padding can help reduce echo and offer sound dampening benefits.
• High-traffic areas: Padding can help reduce matting and buckling in areas with high traffic.

Often with carpet tiles, planks, and any carpet being directly glued to the subflooring, padding is not needed or recommended. Given that every space and project is different, if you aren’t sure, the best bet is to consult a professional on whether padding is needed with your carpet.

What Is the Difference Between Commercial Carpet and Residential Carpet?

While residential carpet is designed with key emphasis on plushness and comfort, commercial carpet focuses more so on durability. 

Residential carpet typically has a higher pile and is made from softer fibers than commercial flooring. They are made to be comfortable to walk on with bare feet, and not as much focus is put on durability and ease of maintenance.

Commercial, high-traffic carpet is rougher and more dense, allowing it to withstand much heavier use, wear, and tear. It is more stain resistant and easier to clean. It is also generally less expensive than residential carpet. 

What Industries Use Commercial Carpet?

There are many industries and types of businesses that use commercial carpet. Here are some types and areas of businesses where carpet is an excellent option:

• Offices
• Waiting rooms
• Hotels
• Reception areas
• Retail stores
• Entertainment venues
• Schools
• Rehab and mental healthcare facilities

Regardless of the type of business you have, if you are considering commercial carpeting and want to explore all the top brands and options, we at Interior Motives Flooring look forward to helping you. 

Interior Motives Flooring Can Help You Choose the Right Commercial Carpet Option for Your Needs and Install It With Skill and Expertise

Interior Flooring Motives is a top commercial flooring company in Auburn, WA. Family owned and operated since 1989, Interior Motives, Inc. is a carpet and hard surface full-service flooring store led by father, Dave Krone, and son, Bradey Krone. Our process is built to make your buying experience as stress-free and efficient as possible, providing you with samples, fast estimates, and seamless installations. We specialize in all manners of commercial projects and look forward to serving you.