Overview Of Carpet Floor Tiles And Their Assembly

Office carpets experience more foot traffic and damage than most homes. Using tiles that were not made especially for this use made it necessary for the carpets to be replaced due to wear and damage on a regular basis. In addition the carpets were not treated with the chemicals that would make it resistant to stains such as toner cartridge ink and other liquids that are only found in office settings.

Creating office carpet tiles that would withstand stains, provide durability, and would provide comfort became the challenge for many makers of floor tiles. To meet this challenge it was necessary to develop carpeting that was as durable as that used in institutions but able to fit the design needs of the office it was to be used in. The carpet tile industry has evolved into a unique production system that involves the use of specific materials and equipment that is not used for making other types of floor tiles.

The tiles are made from a broadloom fabric in twelve foot sections. This fabric is extremely dense and uses a lock weave method which inhibits snagging. It is tightly woven and the threads used are treated with fire and stain retardant chemicals that are water resistant prior to weaving.

Broadloom fabric is coarse and thick but is easily manipulated for processing. During the weaving process any design that is requested by an individual can be incorporated into the fabric design. Many companies choose to have their logo or a special design that reflects their business used in the design of the carpet.

Once the fabric has been woven it is affixed to a sheet of padding that can vary in thickness depending on where the carpet will be used. This padding is more resilient than that used in residential floor tiles and is also water resistant. The padding is designed to adhere more securely to concrete slabs since that is the under flooring of most offices however, when the carpet will be used on a floor made of another material addition layers of padding are added that will remain securely on those surfaces as well.

For most offices carpets are affixed to a heavy froth foam backing or rubber that has been treated to resist damage from heavy foot traffic. These pads provide the protection necessary to the carpet as well as comfort when walking on it. The backing is affixed to the carpet fabric before it is cut into floor tiles so that there are no air bubbles or irregularities present.

Once the carpet has been completely assembled it is cut using a press machine. The press produces a sharp cut that further seals the edges of the carpet tiles making them more secure. Floor tiles cut from the same sheet of fabric are packed together and boxes identify the dye lot and other information that makes identification easy. However, it is important that when selecting carpet floor tiles an extra supply be purchased for replacement of tiles when they become worn or damaged. Many times people do not have an extra supply of the original carpet tiles and cannot match the color of their carpet exactly which creates an uneven texture and look in the areas of their office that experience high traffic.