Carpet basics

What factors influence an installed carpet’s performance and appearance retention?
Fiber properties, yarn construction, carpet construction, color & pattern collectively, backing construction, installation quantity, and proper maintenance.
What carpet certifications should I check for?
MBDC cradle to cradle
Administered by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC), Cradle to Cradle certification is one of the most stringent product sustainability certifications in the world. To achieve Cradle to Cradle certification, a product must be designed and constructed so that it can be disassembled and remade back into itself at the end of its useful life. The ingredient materials of Cradle to Cradle certified products must also pass rigorous toxicity and human health and environmental assessments down to 100 parts per million to ensure the product exerts the least possible impact.

NSF-140
The National Science Foundation 140 Certification is the first multi-attribute American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved environmental standard for carpet in the US. The standard covers durability recycled content, carpet recovery program, lifecycle impact reductions.

CRI Green Label Plus
The Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Plus program is the industry standard for indoor air quality. Designed to ensure customers are purchasing the very lowest emitting products on the market, the program uses scientifically established standards. The Green Label Plus program symbolizes the carpet industry commitment to a better environment for living, working, learning and healing.
What is density and why is it important?
The term density is simply what the name implies. The closer together the strands of the fiber are together at the base of the carpet, the more dense the carpet. Density is important because it effects how the carpet is going to look and perform.

How do I select the best carpet for different commercial applications?
a. First identify the intended end-use area.
b. Understand the end-use traffic classification and Texture Appearance Retention Rating (TARR). Review the TARR for your application. See www.carpet-rug.org for more information.
c. Select the appropriate design and color, carpet design plays a key role in disguising stains and wear patterns.
What is the difference between solution dyed and yarn dyed products?
Dye refers to how color is added to yarn. Solution dyed products are colored through and through and can be aggressively cleaned without any damage to color. Yarn dyed products are colored on the outside and contain more color variance which is helpful in hiding soiling.
How often should I vacuum and clean my carpet?
Based on the traffic flow, you should vacuum two – seven times per week; spot clean as needed and perform hot water extraction one – four times per year. For more information, go to www.shawcontractgroup.com.
Why is carpet tested?
Carpet is tested to comply with certain government regulations and manufacturer guidelines for safety as well as determining performance.
What are some Carpet Testing Resources?
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), American Association of Textile Chemist and Colorists (AATCC), Federal Test Methods (FTM), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Internationals Code Council (ICC), Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) and the International Organizations for Standardization (ISO) are all resources for carpet testing. These organizations develop the methods of testing by creating the protocols, requirements and regulations.
Why is purchasing 100% MBDC certified Cradle to Cradle carpet products important?
These products have been certified by a 3rd party as being 100% recyclable and are being recycled into more fiber and more backing continuously.