A number of people have been fascinated lately by the fact that a service exists to assist a commercial client in choosing and installing the correct carpet. Normally the selection process involves looking at some samples, choosing the ones most aesthetically pleasing, reviewing the manufacturers specifications against what the architect may have written and deciding which of the products to use. Nothing is done about whether or not the selections made will actually work where they’re going to be used. And, frankly, very few, if anyone thinks of this. Most often it is assumed that if the product is offered for use and it meets the written specification for what is desired that it will automatically perform. This is not the case as is proven by the number of disappointments experienced by products failing to perform up to the end users expectations.
What then can be done to insure that the right product gets into the right place and does what is expected of it, for the time expected of it, without experiencing any rapid loss of appearance or compromise in the structural integrity of the product or the installation. Let me give you an example of how this service can work for you.
We have a corporate client who is undertaking a long term project that will involve three separate carpet products in three different areas. One of the carpets is for the corridors, one for the offices and one for executive spaces and conference rooms. The design firm submitted the carpet samples being considered for use. The first step is to evaluate the product samples for performance and appearance retention. This is done by subjecting the samples to a Hexapod test which will subject them to 12,000 cycles in a drum, which is considered the equivalent of 60,000 foot trafficks. The carpet sample is removed every two thousand cycles and vacuumed. At the end of the test the sample is evaluated on a rating scale for changes in appearance, texture and color. To pass it should be rated at least a 3 in both color and appearance. We like to see the carpet rating higher for our clients.
These tests will give us the first indication of whether or not the product selected is going to perform and stay looking as expected. If not we can suggest what changes are necessary in the product to improve its performance or as them to select something else, close to what they want, for testing and evaluation. This is an easy and inexpensive way to insure the right product gets used. Not only does this totally objective, unbiased and independent service benefit the end user but it also protects the manufacturer and the designer by insuring the carpet does what is expected of it. Very often the changes necessary are subtle such as “tightening up the construction,” taking out some of the cut pile yarn or making slight changes in the color. Sometimes the initial tests will indicate a finishing problem, such as a latexing issue which can be corrected. Samples of the submitted products are returned to the client and choices can be made as to which will work best. After the products have been evaluated up to this point and selected, the manufacturing process begins. Before the products are shipped samples of the finished product are sent in to be retested as they were in the original tests and also for structural integrity. If the product fails the structural tests, which means it has compromises that will create a structural failure of the product on the floor after installation, it doesn’t get shipped or installed. A new product must be produced that will not fail and the manufacturer will know what they have to do to correct the condition. This portion of the service insures the product is structurally sound. When the manufacturer knows it will be evaluated for construction they can make “extra sure” it will be built well. This, again, will prevent any claim, complaints or chances of having to replace the product once it is installed. This service is prevents problems and eliminates having to react to them later.
Author – Lewis G. Migliore – The Commercial Flooring Report
LGM and Associates – The Floorcovering Experts