There’s no denying that options such as hardwood, polished concrete or tiles can be a great choice for many flooring spaces, so, when and why might office carpets be the ideal option for one of your office design projects? What are the benefits of office carpets vs hard flooring options? Let’s take a look.
In general, hard flooring options lack the variety of styles, designs, textures and construction types available with their carpets counterpart. When properly installed and fitted, a good quality carpet brings an abundance of advantages to a workspace that stretch further than just physical appearance.
Design versatility
Working with a carpet manufacturer for commercial or domestic use provides you with the freedom to pinpoint exactly what you are looking for in your office carpet design. From vibrant colours, to custom ordered patterns, to luxurious fibre textures and classic neutral tones – the choice is yours.
Durability of office carpets
Carpeting is generally thought of as the less durable choice when it comes to flooring but through regular housekeeping and maintenance, office carpets will perform for decades. In Europe, carpets should be rated in terms of durability and long-term appearance retention through EN 1307, the European standard of textile flooring (which we will thoroughly define further in this guide). Make certain that your carpet manufacturer uses proper testing equipment and holds their product to the utmost quality standard.
No static shock
Static electricity is a phenomenon which can cause danger in indoor environments. By deciding on a carpet with permanently anti-static and conductive fibres, your shock problem is solved in your office environment. In most office spaces, this is merely a question of comfort. But in select cases, delicate electronic equipment or flammable substances might require a completely static-free environment. If you are in doubt, check with your client and report back to your carpet supplier to make certain the carpet you select lives up to the anti-static demands.
Thermal comfort and energy efficiency
Office carpets can significantly improve the thermal comfort of interior environments. The fibres that make up carpet act as natural insulators, meaning the floor feels warmer and does not draw heat away from feet as quickly as hard flooring options do.
A safer environment with carpets for offices
Office carpets provide a safe environment with a reduced risk of falls, slips and trips. Carpets act as an adhesive friction, lightly grabbing the soles of the feet and increasing stability, unlike smooth flooring types. If a fall should happen anyway, carpets offer softer surfaces to land on making the consequences of a fall far less serious. From an orthopaedic standpoint, commercial carpets provide soft and springy fibres that are easy on the feet and joints after a long workday.