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November 26, 2010

Werner Braun: TARR helps eliminate guesswork

I get asked all the time where is the best place to buy carpet and what kind of carpet should someone get for their house. So in the spirit of “Black Friday” I’m not going to answer either of the questions — again.

Here at the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), we represent ALL manufacturers of carpet, so even if I did have a personal preference there is no way I’m putting my head on that chopping block to recommend one. The one thing I do always ask people when they ask me about carpet preference, though, is where exactly are you installing the carpet? Specifically, is it in a high traffic area like a halfway or entrance way, or an office or bedroom where not a lot of feet make their way across it?

We preach around here frequently about cleaning and maintenance as the best way to make sure you preserve and enjoy your carpet purchase to its fullest degree. Of course, if you want a piece of carpet to last its design life, then it is equally as important that you specify the right kind of carpet.

What we have done here at CRI  is put together a Texture Appearance Retention Rating (TARR) that identifies the level of appearance change of a carpet surface resulting from foot traffic. These guidelines are intended to assist designers, architects and specifiers in selecting commercial carpet with acceptable texture retention performance in specific end-use applications.

If you want to eliminate the guesswork involved in specifying carpet for your business you need to follow an easy six-step plan to determine the right commercial carpet for specific areas of use.

Step one: Identify the intended end-use area. Carpet is used throughout buildings and facilities for many different reasons. The beauty and versatility of carpet enhance the appeal of waiting rooms, lobbies and offices. Carpet is used in public areas and corridors to absorb sound, help prevent slips and cushion falls. Carpet also provides warmth and comfort in health care and educational settings. So the first step is to identify the environment where the carpet will be used.

Step two: Understand the Classification and Texture Appearance Retention Ratings Guidelines. Through a consensus process involving technical experts in the carpet industry and commercial and government specifiers, CRI developed a model specification process that classifies areas of intended use and minimum carpeting texture appearance retention ratings for particular areas of use. A moderate, heavy, severe or special end-use classification is established for each application based on the level of expected foot traffic in the specific area. For example, private offices or conference areas are classified as moderate use, while corridors or common areas are classified as heavy or severe use. Special end-use involves carpet in transportation settings such as buses, elevators or airports. Additionally, carpet carries a texture appearance retention rating that gives buyers and specifiers a better indication of how well a particular carpet will perform in a specific end-use application under typical traffic for that application. The ratings are established through simulation wear tests.

Step three: Find the end-use areas and TARR for your needs. CRI developed a handy reference chart to help you determine what type of carpet should perform best given the specific location within your facility. However, there may be applications of low or high traffic that could allow for a TARR other than what is recommended. In such cases, it’s appropriate to select a different TARR-value carpet.

Step four: Select the design and color. Carpet design plays a key role in disguising stains and wear patterns. For example, in high-traffic areas select a pattern that works to camouflage stains. While dark colors might appear to be the best choice for hiding soil, they offer sharp contrasts, so dust and light-colored stains show up more easily. Conversely, light carpets readily show dark spots and stains. The optimum selections are color values that fall into the medium range. These colors offer little contrast to accumulated soil and do the best job of concealing stains.

Step five: Select carpet type and backing. Industry tests prove that cushion-backed carpets increase comfort and performance. The cushion absorbs the impact of foot traffic, allowing the carpet fiber to look better and last longer.

Step six: Specify a cleaning and maintenance plan. A thoughtfully designed and implemented maintenance program performed by qualified personnel who are properly equipped and trained is essential for optimal long-term performance. Whenever possible, plan a carpet maintenance program before installing carpet so such features as budget, personnel and areas of special consideration can be taken into account. And always look for Seal of Approval-certified products and equipment!

Werner Braun is the president of the Dalton-based Carpet and Rug Institute.

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