Carpet tiles have something of an old-school vibe to them, and that’s understandable, considering they rose to prominence during the 1950s and 60s. Your parents or grandparents probably remember carpet tiles in their school library or in the office where they worked back in the day. But while it may seem like they had their day in the sun, carpet tiles have seen a resurgence in interest lately. In this guide, the carpet cleaning pros at Steve’s Carpet Care take a close look at carpet tiles in order to help you make an informed decision about whether they may be right for your commercial space.
First Things First: What are Carpet Tiles?
As the name implies, carpet tiles are squares of carpeting meant to be fitted together - like the ceramic tiles on your bathroom floor. Some are glued down to the floor, some are tacked down, and some carpet tiles are designed to lock together in a way that keeps them in place without having to be physically attached to the floor. They became quite popular in the post-WWII years and reached the height of their popularity in the 1960s and 70s. They provided a lot of benefits then that still resonate today. Let’s take a look at those benefits now.
Benefits of Carpet Tiles
Ease of Installation
Installing wall-to-wall carpeting is a difficult, physically taxing job that requires patience and expertise. One mistake and you might have to rip up the whole carpet and start over. Carpet tiles, by comparison, are laid down one easy-to-handle square at a time. If the square you just laid down doesn’t look quite right, just pull it up, realign it, and plop it back down. Any reasonably capable do-it-yourselfer should be able to lay down an entire room of carpet tiles in a few hours.
Durability
Commercial carpet tiles are extremely tough. They’re designed specifically to stand their ground against a daily barrage of traffic and will almost never show signs of wear and tear after a couple of years, as wall-to-wall carpeting sometimes does. But even if one or two should get damaged, carpet repair usually involves nothing more than popping them out and replacing them with new tiles. Try doing that with your wall-to-wall carpeting.
"Quality tiles can last for 10-20 years before showing any real wear at all. Just as importantly, carpet tiles are easy to replace when they do start to show their age."
—Durafloor
Low-Maintenance
If your Arvada office floor is covered in wall-to-wall carpeting, you know that maintaining it can be an expensive and sometimes troublesome proposition. Chances are it’s going to wear unevenly due to sunlight streaming in the windows and foot traffic, and there’s not much you can do about that. Stains can also be a major problem.
With carpet tiles, however, maintenance typically comes down to nothing more than regular vacuuming and the occasional carpet cleaning with our truck-mounted steam cleaning machine. Because tiles are movable, you can switch them around to counteract the bleaching effects of the sun, and if one tile gets stained, there’s no need to call the rug cleaning company. Instead, just pull it up and replace it with a new one.
Versatility
When it comes to carpet tiles and design possibilities, the sky’s the limit. You can purchase carpet tiles that will produce a variety of patterns when arranged in different ways. Or you can purchase different colors of the same tile type and use them like mosaic tiles to create whatever effect you have in mind, from a simple checkerboard pattern to something far more expressive. And if you eventually get tired of the pattern you installed just pull them up and rearrange them. It’ll be like redesigning your office without having to buy anything new.
Drawbacks of Carpet Tiles
The above are just some of the benefits of installing carpet tiles in your commercial space. But like everything, there’s an upside and a downside to carpet tiles. Here are a few of the disadvantages of this type of flooring.
A Less Homogenous Look
The very nature of carpet tiles is such that they’re bound to create a grid pattern on your floor. This is in contrast to a roll of wall-to-wall carpeting that produces a single homogenous look across the whole space. Even if the effect is subtle, the grid may cause visual dissonance with other elements of your interior design. On the other hand, there are plenty of business owners who have no problem with the grid effect, and if you’re one of them, you can disregard this alleged disadvantage.
Warping of Individual Tiles
Most carpet tiles come with a rubber backing that helps keep them in place and creates a soft, agreeable effect underfoot. Sometimes, however, this rubber backing can become warped, causing the tile (or tiles) to take on an unsightly appearance while at the same time increasing the risk of tripping. That’s the bad news. The good news is that warped carpet tiles can be easily removed and replaced with new ones without having to redo the entire room.
Fraying Edges
Admittedly, we’re kind of grasping at straws here trying to come up with something negative to say, but frayed edges can sometimes be an issue with carpet tiles. It will normally take several years at least for this phenomenon to manifest, but when it does, it can be an unsightly visual distraction. Most often fraying will occur at the edges of the carpeted surface, such as when carpeting stops at a doorway. But as with other issues frayed edges can be resolved by simply replacing the worn tile with a new one.
Carpets Need Repairing?
Learn more about the residential and commercial carpet repair services we offer throughout the Denver area.Carpet Repair Services
Types of Carpet Tile
Carpet tile backings vary in price, durability, and comfort, making it important to choose based on your specific needs and budget. Each type of backing offers different benefits and limitations when it comes to installation, environmental impact, and water resistance. Below is a table comparing these carpet tile backings based on five important attributes.
| Backing Type | Durability | Comfort & Cushioning | Environmental Impact | Water Resistance | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVC | High | Moderate | Low (contains plasticizers) | High | Low to Moderate |
| Plastic (PVC-Free) | Moderate | Moderate | High (eco-friendly) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Polyurethane Cushion | High | High | Moderate | High | High |
| Rubber | Very High | High | Moderate (synthetic rubber) | Very High | High |
| Foam | Low | High | Low (synthetic materials) | Low | Low |
| Polypropylene | Moderate | Low | Low (petrochemical-based) | Moderate | Low |
How to Clean and Maintain Carpet Tiles
Proper cleaning and maintenance are essential to extend the life and appearance of carpet tiles. With regular care, they can remain fresh and visually appealing, even in high-traffic areas. Below are five practical tips for effectively cleaning and maintaining carpet tiles, helping you keep them in excellent condition over time. From routine vacuuming to replacing damaged tiles, these strategies will ensure your carpet tiles look their best while maintaining durability.
- Regular Vacuuming — Vacuum carpet tiles at least once a week to remove dirt, dust, and debris that can accumulate in the fibers. High-traffic areas may require more frequent vacuuming to prevent buildup.
- Spot Cleaning — Address spills and stains immediately by blotting (not rubbing) the affected area with a clean cloth and using a mild carpet cleaner. For tougher stains, consider using a specialized spot remover or a homemade solution of water and vinegar.
- Rotating Tiles — In high-traffic areas, rotate individual carpet tiles periodically to distribute wear evenly across the flooring. This helps prolong the life and appearance of the tiles.
- Deep Cleaning — Perform a deep cleaning (such as steam cleaning) every 6-12 months to remove embedded dirt and allergens. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for water and cleaning solution use.
- Replace Damaged Tiles — One of the major advantages of carpet tiles is that damaged or heavily stained tiles can be easily replaced without disturbing the entire floor. Keep a few extra tiles on hand for quick replacements when necessary.
The Lowdown
These are challenging times for many business owners who need to embrace value wherever possible. Carpet tiles can be a smart, cost-effective way to achieve the look you want in your office, restaurant, retail shop, or other commercial venue and have a number of advantages over rolled-out wall-to-wall carpeting. As you might have surmised by now, however, if you decide to install carpet tiles in your commercial space, it will be in your interest to order more than you need, just in case you have to replace some of the tiles over time.
For Expert Carpet Cleaning in Arvada, Call Steve’s Carpet Care
If it’s time to have your carpet tiles cleaned, get in touch with the team at Steve’s Carpet Care. We are one of Colorado’s most trusted carpet cleaning companies, with more than four decades of experience cleaning all types of carpeting, including tiles. The number to call is (303) 530-4900. And don’t forget to ask about our hard surface and upholstery cleaning services while you’re at it.