If you have ever been in an office environment, no doubt you have noticed the difference between commercial grade carpeting and residential grade carpeting.  Commercial or industrial carpeting must be manufactured to different specifications for better performance. This is not without sacrifice, as anyone who has worked in an office can tell you that commercial carpet is not as soft as residential carpet.

  • Residential carpet is all about comfort, quiet, and beauty. The home is a place where you seek refuge after a hard day’s work.  You want to kick off your shoes, flop on the couch, and dig your toes into a nice plush carpet. Carpet absorbs sound and helps to minimize or eliminate the echo effect.  You should pay anywhere from $25-$35 per s/yd. for a decent carpet with installation and padding included.
  • Commercial carpet is made to withstand a lot of foot traffic without looking worn, and that requires choosing the proper carpet specification for its intended use.   Some commercial carpets are made with an attached high density performance cushion or other PVC backing system. Cost generally ranges from $18 installed direct glue down for tenant improvement office type to $40 installed direct glue down for class A office space.  Backing system, in carpet construction, is the deciding factor of how strong the face fiber is, how much pull it can tolerate; it is crucial when carpet is used in very heavy traffic areas, like hospitals or hotel lobbies.

What’s the best way to clean commercial and residential carpets?

Carpet cleaning should always be done before the carpets look like it needs it.  Most important thing you can do for yourcarpets is to vacuum on a regular basis.  Do not let dirt and soil build up because it does damage your surface yarn.  Hot water extraction cleaning is by far the most effective and widely recommended method in the industry for both carpets.  A cleaning solution is then sprayed onto the carpet to break down the oils and grease. In some cases, the conditioner is agitated with a grooming rake or rotary brush machine to further enhance the cleaning ability. The soil and solution is then thoroughly rinsed from the carpet by combining a pressurized hot water rinse with a powerful wet vacuum. Most professionals use a truck mounted unit, which uses long solution and vacuum hoses to reach the carpet. The dirty water is deposited in a waste tank located on the truck away from you and your home.