A major segment of contract carpet today is the corporate market. Tufted carpet is the most common choice, although woven and fusion bonded products are also used. Carpet tiles are specified often in high-rise offices and modular floor plans since they are easy to remove and replace.

Of the three major types of products manufactured -- cut, loop and cut/loop combination -- the loop and cut/loop products have gained ground in the last few years. This is attributed to their ability to withstand heavy traffic and to new styling technology advancements in tufting equipment. All products specified should be chosen based on the projected amount of traffic in the various areas.

Heavy traffic areas such as entrances, lobbies, corridors and public areas need carpet that can withstand pedestrian traffic. Heavy traffic products should have low pile heights and dense pile yarns. Examples of specifications should be 5/16” or less with product densities ranging from 4500 to 6900. The gauge required would be 1/8 to 1/10 with woven products having a pitch ranging from 216 to 270.

Moderate traffic areas include executive offices, boardrooms and conference rooms. With lower traffic levels, different types of products can be chosen which will give a more luxurious appearance.

Color and scale are also important considerations when specifying carpet for corporate installations. Multi-colors, small patterns and heather effects are popular for these areas because they tend to mask soiling and traffic lanes. Solid color cut pile products are often specified for executive offices and conference rooms, as they receive only moderate traffic.