Obviously, floors make up a great deal of your building's interior, and in most buildings, carpet covers a lot of the floor. Carpet costs can vary considerably, based on care after purchase. In order to get the most out of carpet and keep future maintenance expenses low, it is necessary to use care and wisdom before purchase.

Consider these factors when it's time to replace the carpet.

1. Consider the total life/cycle cost.
That's the cost of the carpet and its upkeep, divided over the number of years it is expected to be used. "Number of years" is important, and can vary according to business. While the average business might expect 8-10 years, a school or non-profit organization might want 20 years. A fine hotel or trendy shop might expect to "face lift" with new carpet every 4 or 5 years. Though harder to pin down, consider the effect of acoustics, energy savings (through potential insulating effect) and the cost of disposal and downtime for replacement.

2. Consider the environment.
Are the traffic patterns heavy or light? Will the carpet be close to external doors which will track in outside dirt and moisture? Will it have wheeled equipment or chair traffic? Does the nature of your environment suggest that food or beverages may be spilled?

3. Consider the image you intend to present to your clients and employees.
Style and ease of maintenance should play an important role in your final decision.

These factors should give you an idea of whether the emphasis is on sturdiness, stain resistance, aesthetic appeal, or a combination of these factors. Apply these decisions to the composition of the carpet itself.

Materials
Taken in order of construction, consider the material. Wool looks the best and costs the most; however, it will also show wear and tear more readily. Nylon resists crushing and abrasion. Olefin isn't as crush-resistant as nylon but resists staining better.

Now, consider the dyeing technique. "Solution dyeing" means the fiber is saturated while still molten. It's the most colorfast and durable (and also `green,' since there is very little waste).You can purchase cheaper dye, but the difference is generally minimal. Unless you're planning on short-term use, make an easy call on dyeing technique and go for the best.

Pile
Next consider the pile of the carpet. Is it more beneficial to use loop or cut carpet? Cut looks better. Loop lasts longer. Traffic considerations should be your primary focus when selecting pile.

Density
A higher density (or volume) carpet is better at withstanding heavy traffic. As you would expect, it costs more. Since parts of your floor may have more traffic than others, you should focus on density. Many manufacturers offer the same pattern in different densities, so you can put your money where it counts.

What You Don't See Counts
If crushing is important, backing makes the difference. Backing is how the carpet transfers weight, similar to the shocks in a car. Backing also needs to be able to stand up under chemical treatments and spills, while being resistant to moisture and odors. You can also choose whether or not to have the carpet glued directly to the floor or placed on cushion. Cushion adds cost but provides many benefits, from energy and acoustic savings to increased life and appeal.

Keeping It
Maintenance is a key point. Most manufacturers provide guidelines to what kind and how much maintenance is needed. Regular vacuuming is critical, whether the carpet "looks dirty" or not. Unvacuumed particles will lead to ground-in stains.

Dumping It
Almost a BILLION square yards of `disposed' carpeting joins our landfills each year. Thankfully, many manufacturers are taking back old carpet for reuse, and many businesses are considering resale or donation of usable carpet to others. Overflowing landfills is one thing carpets cannot cover up. Look for a home for your ex-carpet, and consider recycling or dumping fees in your cost analysis.

Consider Your Carpets An Investment, Not An Expense
You will come out better in the long run if you focus on what is underfoot. Call the experts at ServiceMaster Clean to make sure your carpets and office spaces present the professionalism your office deserves.