Institutional Market
The institutional market is comprised of four steadily growing segments: educational facilities, healthcare facilities, government offices and religious buildings. The first three segments of this category have similar carpet requirements: moderate to heavy traffic areas that need low, dense carpet constructions. Carpeting for the institutional market should be specified for its durability and longevity. These carpets have longer replacement cycles that most other commercial carpets, so long-term appearance retention is a key factor. The traffic requirement and wear pattern within the area must be determined and an appropriate density designated that will withstand the traffic load. Most institutional carpets must meet strict budgetary requirements, therefore long-term value as well as aesthetic and performance characteristics are most desired.

Healthcare
The healthcare segment includes hospitals, professional offices, clinics, institutions and nursing homes. The performance and regulatory requirements for this segment are demanding and specific. Healthcare facilities have heavy pedestrian and wheeled traffic that requires the carpet to be durable, practical and serviceable with a long life cycle. Additional performance attributes of healthcare carpet are flammability resistance, good acoustics, ease of maintenance and static resistance. Because of the traffic requirements, a popular choice for these segments is tufted loop carpet. In hospitals and nursing homes, the carpet selected must aid in the fight against infection. Solution dyeing gives the carpet fiber exceptional color fastness against tough agents like bleach and Ultron Solution Dyed nylon's antimicrobial properties also make it a superior choice for these projects.

Religious
Religious structures vary widely depending on the church affiliation and the funding available. This segment includes worship centers, educational buildings and athletic complexes. Because these facilities are used most heavily on weekends, religious settings create a unique exception and the overall traffic requirements are moderate. The current trend in carpet for religious installations is toward a more "residential" appearance. Tufted cut piles are frequently specified because of their lower cost as well as excellent performance and aesthetic qualities. However, a low, dense construction is definitely recommended. Static control and good acoustical properties are other considerations.

Educational
The educational segment includes elementary and secondary schools, colleges and other educational facilities. All educational applications have very heavy pedestrian traffic, primarily in entrances, corridors, libraries and lunchrooms/cafeterias. Educational carpeting must provide exceptional abrasion resistance and texture to withstand these heavy traffic areas. Flammability resistance, easy maintenance, static resistance and sound absorbency are other key considerations in carpet selection. Aesthetics is also an important consideration in the educational market. The school environment must be aesthetically pleasing to both students and teachers to promote learning. Dense tufted loop carpets are primarily used, although some woven loop carpets are occasionally chosen.

Government
Government office buildings share many of the same considerations as other office facilities and institutional buildings. Multicolor carpets are often selected, as they are attractive and very appearance retentive. Government applications stress abrasion resistance , ease of maintenance, static resistance and flammability resistance.