Ultimate Guide to Commercial carpet

Office setting with carpet flooring

Ultimate Guide to Commercial carpet

If you need commercial flooring, you’re probably wondering about commercial carpet. High-traffic carpet is a durable, low-pile flooring option that won’t stain easily. Heavy-duty carpet has the durability and style needed for commercial settings. It is great for wear and tear, won’t get matted down or worn-looking, and will stand up to lots of use.

This guide will help you make a decision on which type of commercial-grade carpet is best for your needs. We’ll take a look at them all, and consider important factors including their pros and cons, installation, and more. If you are looking for residential carpets, don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Choosing Carpet!

What is Commercial Carpet?

Commercial carpets are made for high traffic and easy maintenance. The fibers are looped through the carpet backing, making them less soft but more durable. Commercial carpets are also more stain resistant than regular carpets.

You can find carpets at commercial-grade quality in many shapes, patterns, and colours. Commercial carpet is thinner, which allows it to hold up to wear and tear without matting or crushing. You can choose commercial carpets for entryways, gyms, offices, grocery stores, airports, banks, and even your home.

Carpet in hallway of an office building

Types of Commercial Carpet

Commercial Carpet Tiles

Looking to upgrade the look of your office without breaking your budget? Installing commercial carpet tiles is a quick and easy solution. You can do the installation on your own in just a few hours, and create custom patterns with different colours. If a tile becomes stained or damaged, it’s also very easy to replace the tiles. Simply lift the stained one and replace it with a new one.

Commercial Carpet Planks

Carpet planks are another type of carpet that can also be easily installed. They’re shaped like a plank and come in a variety of colours. Furthermore, a carpet plank’s longer shape gives you more freedom to design what is perfect, such as creating herringbone patterns or experimenting with other geometric designs.

Commercial Carpet Rolls

Broadloom carpets, which are made up of rolls, still account for the majority of the carpet industry. Carpet rolls are less expensive than tiles and planks since they can cover a larger area. As such, broadloom is a great choice for those who want an affordable job without sacrificing on quality, or those with large square footage needs.

Installer unrolling carpet on the floor

Pros and Cons of Commercial Carpet

With commercial carpet flooring, there are many factors to consider. That’s why we’re here! We will detail the advantages and disadvantages of commercial carpet flooring so you can make an informed decision.

Pros

  • Durability: Most carpets can’t handle heavy traffic. The tough fibres and dense, low pile of commercial carpets ensure that your floor can handle heavy traffic.
  • For those who have a tighter budget, carpet is a popular commercial flooring option. It’s both durable and stylish, and there’s no need to worry about it breaking the bank.
  • Maintenance: Low-pile, stain-resistant carpets are easy to clean. You just need to vacuum regularly, and your floor will stay looking as good as new for years to come.
  • Installation: Self-adhesive carpet tiles will save you time and money by being specially designed and engineered for quick and easy installation.

Cons

  • Less Comfort: Commercial carpet is constructed to last for years and years, but it’s not as soft and comfortable as residential carpet.
  • Installation of commercial carpets can be a pro and a con. If you’re installing a commercial carpet for use in high-traffic areas, installation is best left to professionals as it needs to be glued down. On the other hand, peel and stick installation are possible for all carpets, but not all carpets are designed for peel and stick installation.

How to Install Commercial Carpet

Installing carpet is not always easy. It depends on where you want to put it, how much traffic your home will have, and the type of carpet you choose. Installing carpet tiles in your home is a DIY project, but if you need rolls of carpet for a high-traffic area, you may want to hire a professional.

Carpet Tiles

Carpet tiles are a simple, easy installation for any space. There are two popular installation methods: tape-down/peel and stick installation and glue-down installation.

Peel and stick tiles are the easiest way to install carpet. With these fantastic tiles, you can have your floor’s carpeting up in no time! Simply peel back the protective plastic to expose the adhesive tape, then place the tile on the floor. Press down to make sure it sticks, and you’re done.

For commercial areas with lots of traffic, consider glueing down the carpet. A pressure-sensitive adhesive will provide more stability and a more permanent hold in high-traffic areas. If you want to do it yourself, just apply adhesive yourself. Always check with the manufacturer for more detailed installation instructions and advice.

Carpet Rolls

Installing carpet rolls is easy with the right tools. In order to keep them stable, the glue-down method is required to be used. You’ll need to start by applying adhesive to the floor, and then you can roll the carpet over the glue using the carpet core or flat end of a push broom. Wait for the adhesive to cure before walking on it. Always remember to check manufacturer-provided instructions for more detailed installation tips.

How to Clean Commercial Carpet

Commercial carpeting doesn’t require special equipment to keep it clean, welcoming and looking great. Take care of your carpet with these straightforward and easy-to-follow steps:

  • Vacuum often to remove dirt and more importantly, bacteria.
  • Remove spills as quickly as possible – use an absorbent cloth and water for this job.
  • Periodically deep clean your floor using a hot water extraction machine such as a carpet cleaner.
  • Consider hiring a carpet cleaning company to outsource the hassle
  • For more tips, check out our 2022 carpet cleaning guide!

Red wine glass spilt over carpet


A commercial-grade carpet is specially manufactured and designed to withstand heavier foot traffic relative to residential carpets. Furthermore, commercial carpets feature stronger stain resistance and easier maintenance. Typical commercial carpets are also Berber, which makes them harder but increases durability.

Although it is not compulsory, the most popular installation method for commercial carpets is the direct glue-down installation. Although it does not provide the most comfort, gluing down carpets will bring the most stability and the carpet will have minimal movement.

The main purpose of office carpets are to withstand heavy foot traffic, and resist stains from accidents such as coffee spills. Office carpets should also be easy to clean as it is typically installed over large areas, and as such daily cleaning may not be viable

For office environments, it is preferred that a carpet with a low profile is used. This is because low profile carpets handle heavy office furniture and equipment better relative to residential grade carpets. It also allows for better movement with office chairs on wheels. Synthetic materials such as polypropylene carpets are preferred. You can read more about them here!

With proper maintenance, a good quality commercial carpet can last up to 15 years. However, basic care such as daily vacuuming of particularly high traffic areas are very important. This prevents dust and dirt particles brought in from outside accumulating on the carpet.

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