| For many years office floor tiles have consisted of | | | | into the loom so that any specific request of a |
| linoleum or vinyl squares that are produced only to | | | | company for their office carpet can be met. This may |
| cover a concrete slab and do not add to the office | | | | be incorporating a unique color, design, or style that will |
| asetic. As the use of carpet has become more | | | | make the office and the company clearly identifiable to |
| popular in office environments there has been a need | | | | anyone who enters the doors. |
| to address the unique issues found there. Offices | | | | Padding on the carpet fabric varies depending on the |
| often have more foot traffic than homes and require | | | | type of flooring that it will be affixed to. The padding of |
| carpeting that is both durable and resistant to stains. | | | | carpet floor tiles is especially designed to be water |
| Residential homes often have specific locations | | | | resistant and provide a cusion for the individual who |
| throughout the house that are considered 'high traffic' | | | | walk on it. This padding is also resistant to mold and |
| areas. Tiles that are installed in most homes do not | | | | mildew which can occur when carpet tiles are installed |
| have the level of durability that is required for offices. | | | | on concrete flooring in areas that have high humidity or |
| Office carpet tiles must be able to withstand unique | | | | uncontolled temperature changes. |
| spills such as residue from copy machines which can | | | | When deciding on the padding for carpet tiles many |
| severely damage a carpet. Using carpet tiles an | | | | individual select a heavy froth backing which allows |
| individual can replace only those tiles which have been | | | | more cushion. This padding is not as protective as the |
| damaged and are not required to replace the entire | | | | newely developed rubber padding that is currently |
| carpet regularly. | | | | available. Froth foam backing has a tendency to wear |
| Scientists and researchers for the carpet industry | | | | in areas of high foot traffic much more quickly than |
| developed techniques to infuse carpet tiles with a | | | | rubber. In addition, it is not as resistant to spillage in |
| combination of chemicals which protect the carpet and | | | | areas such as breakrooms or copy rooms where |
| meet building code regulations. Designers then had to | | | | people often drop cups of coffee or toner waste. |
| find a way to create carpeting that would meet the | | | | The press machine used to cut an assembled carpet |
| demands of office foot traffic but not be of an | | | | into uniform squares provides pressure which removes |
| institutional quality that was not appropriate. The | | | | any air bubbles that may have formed during the |
| methods for incorporating both function and design | | | | padding process. This machine also cuts the carpet |
| then have been a challenge for the carpet tile industry. | | | | into squares and is designed to seal the edges that |
| Prior to weaving carpeting on a broadloom, the | | | | are cut during the process. The result is a series of |
| threads must be sealed with chemicals that will meet | | | | carpet floor tiles that, when reassembled, will look as |
| the specifications of each industry's safety standards. | | | | though it is one large piece of carpet. The carpet will |
| It is important that each thread of the carpet be fully | | | | have a seamless flow of design with a smooth and |
| resistant to fire, wear, and staining. This extra step | | | | even texture. When the carpet begins to show wear |
| requires that carpet makers treat the thread prior to | | | | or is damaged it is much easier for an individual to |
| beginning the fabric making process. | | | | remove one carpet floor tile and replace it than to |
| Prior to weaving a design or logo can be programmed | | | | replace the entire carpet in an office. |
