El office flooring It is such an extensive topic that it needs to be treated in parts. In a post a while ago, we talked about the importance of floors in the office, and we reviewed the different possibilities that the interior designer or architect has when choosing: carpets, microcement, continuous floors, porcelain and synthetic stone, wood or laminates. Well, today we are going to discuss in more detail the carpet tile which, without a doubt, is one of the materials most used in offices.
Carpet formats
There are two basic formats: broadloom carpet and carpet tiles:
- The broadloom carpet It is the classic format, in a width of 2 or 4 m, and provides visual continuity to the space. It is ideal for large spaces and transit areas.
- The carpet tiles It has different measurements depending on the manufacturer and model, but 50 x 50 cm is the most widespread. It is mainly used to make technical floors in offices, as it allows access to wiring without having to raise the floor. Another advantage is that you can customize and create custom designs, by color or pattern. We are going to stop at this format.
Type of carpets according to their material
natural fiber, Like wool, it offers flexibility and elasticity. It has a certain waterproofing and antistatic qualities, is extremely comfortable and a good thermal insulator.
Vegetable fiber, such as coconut, jute, sisal, seaweed, hemp or cotton. They are highly recommended for people allergic to synthetic fibers, or with respiratory problems.
Synthetic fibers, such as polypropylene, Nylon, Polyester or vinyl. All of them have great resistance to wear and have a great durability. They are easy to maintain and clean, since they are non-porous and have properties antibacterial. They have high resistance to sunlight and, in some cases, have properties fire retardant.
Manufacturing Types
In addition to the type of material and format, carpets are distinguished by the type of making and knot (loop, clipped or punched hair).
- Carpet tufted o tufted: It is the most used method today and consists of fixing the thread strands to a textile support, to provide it with stability. This is the carpet manufacturing technique in loop and cut pile carpet.
- Carpet punzoned: This technique consists of interweaving several layers of overlapping fibers using the technique of punching through needles at high speed. The fair carpet It is the most famous of this technique.
- Woven carpet: This is the traditional method that was used to make rugs manually by interweaving the thread. Currently they are made using large automatic looms. Still, it is a expensive method for the time it takes to complete it.
The new carpet tiles
Due to its acrylic composition, and its high aesthetic electrical conductivity, in recent years its manufacturing has taken a 180-degree turn, using materials more organic and sustainable raw materials. Currently, preferred modular carpets, or in tile, which do not require permanent gluing installation. Its installation process is “clean work”, so it can be installed in one day without having to stop work activity.
Not long ago it was believed that carpets were the cause of allergies and asthma; Now, the new models of textile fibers used keep allergens out of the air. Additionally, certain models have been shown to improve the indoor air quality and act as a dust catcher. With only a brush vacuum cleaner, 80% of the dust accumulated on the carpet can be removed.
Easy installation
The installation, redistribution or replacement of modular carpets does not require work, allowing us to coexist with the functioning of our daily lives. His clamping system, using a removable fixator, avoids permanent gluing that affect the original pavement and, therefore, allows us to carry out action in phases.
Great features
We have talked about all the practical advantages of installing carpet tiles, but to this is added a quantity of aesthetic benefits and the possibilities they offer us, such as customization of the elements, to create figures, lines or geometric patterns that help us delimit spaces. A good example are these Coca-Cola offices, where the carpet has been used as a signaling element and delimiter of the different areas.
Chromatic function
The tiles can also have a chromatic function, that helps lift the interior design of the office. It seems like just another element but, nevertheless, it plays a primary aesthetic role that fills the space. It can break the monochrome of a space, with four or five colored tiles, define an area and give it relief, or enhance the range of colors of other elements, such as walls or furniture.
Carpets go with everything!
Finally, what to say about your adaptability and good combination. Carpets match all materials, whether porcelain, cement, wood, stone. In fact, it is frequently used to counteract the use of “hard” materials, such as stone or sintered materials, since it provides more warmness. Furthermore, by being able to choose from an infinite range of textures and finishes, There will always be one that fits with the neighboring covering.
