Learn more about carpet installation at www.carpet-rug.org/install.

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The Carpet and Rug Institute recently added instructional videos to its CRI 104 and 105 Carpet Installation Standards along with a Spanish translation of the standards.

In a statement, CRI President Joe Yarbrough expressed pride in the success of the standards and hopes the new additions will help the standards continue to be the best guide for installing carpet.

“CRI and our members are very proud of the success of our installation standards,” he said. “We have worked hard to ensure these standards are the best guide for installing carpet and we believe that these new videos and Spanish translation will continue that legacy.”

The goal of the new videos is to provide a visual guide for installers with the videos focusing on stretch-in installation, seaming, and power stretching.

CRI 104/105 were re-released in 2015 and have been overwhelmingly popular online with more than 40,000 downloads and thousands of visitors to the website for the standards. CRI has also received hundreds of orders for the print edition.

CRI’s installation standards represent over 25 years of installation expertise and information that reflects current product information to give consumers the best experience with their carpet. CRI 104/105 also offer professionals in the installation industry, flooring retailing, facility management, and others guidance for carpet installation.

CRI 104/105 are available as a free download in PDF and multiple mobile formats on the CRI website at www.carpet-rug.org/install.

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1.    Check for Carpet Recycling Options in Your Area

Before getting your new carpet installed, you need to properly remove your old carpet. Many people recommend taking used carpet to the landfill, but this is not good for the environment. CARE (Carpet America Recovery Effort) promotes proper disposal of post-consumer carpet. CARE’s website helps you find a carpet collector in your area.

2.    Who Should I Hire to Install My Carpet?

Carpet installation might seem like a DIY project, but it’s best left to the professionals. Specifically, professionals who follow CRI 104/105 Installation Standards. CRI 104/105 were created by professionals in the carpet industry and are the only installation standards recognized by the industry. CRI also recommends hiring a professional who has been certified by a credible third party.

3.    Learn to Take Care of Your New Carpet

Carpet technology has made a number of advancements in recent years including stain and soil resistance, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need to be cleaned. Proper cleaning starts with vacuuming and many manufacturers recommend specific vacuums for their carpet. In the case they don’t, CRI’s Seal of Approval certifies vacuums for their ability to clean carpet.

4.    Provide Proper Ventilation

After the installation is complete, you need to provide adequate ventilation. Open windows, doors and operate the fan of your HVAC system to get fresh air flowing. Ventilation removes the new carpet smell within 72 hours.

For more information on best installation practices, visit www.carpet-rug.org/install.

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“Over the last 20 years, we’ve seen a flood of new carpet products, materials, and technology on the market. Carpet installers need updated guidance to ensure customers fully benefit from these advances and receive high-quality installation,” said Joe Yarbrough, president of The Carpet and Rug Institute.

The updates to the 104 and 105 installation standards mark a great accomplishment of industry cooperation, with manufacturers and installers working together to make the best, most user-friendly standards for carpet installation.

“These important updates reinforce the industry’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, and will ensure the CRI guidelines continue to serve as the industry’s gold standard resource for carpet installation,” added Yarbrough.

The standards also have the support of Jim Walker, founder of Certified Floorcovering Installers and president of the American Floor Covering Institute.

“We didn’t start from scratch. Industry leaders worked together to enhance the industry’s most widely regarded standards to ensure installers, retailers and builders have the best guidelines for commercial and residential carpet planning and installation,” said Walker. “If it doesn’t start right, it will not finish right.  This is an industry that supports all parties working together for the common goal of customer satisfaction, starting at the time of the sale through the finished installation.”

Proper carpet installation is critical to the overall quality and useful life of carpet. It is a key component to ensuring customers get the most out of their investments. The CRI’s updated carpet installation standards guide installers to ensure customers have the best experience possible.

The CRI’s 104 and 105 carpet installation standards will be updated with new information periodically. As the industry continues to innovate and evolve, so will these standards to ensure quality and satisfaction for consumers in residential and commercial markets.

Download the CRI Installation Standards here.

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Millions of people go in and out of schools, hospitals, retail establishments and office buildings every single day, not realizing how environmentally-sustainable the floors they walk on have become.

There’s little doubt these days that being green is increasingly expected.

Businesses and consumers alike want to be good stewards of the environment, to conserve natural resources, to create more healthy indoor environments and to benefit from products that are made to last.

This is particularly true in the carpet industry, where sustainable manufacturing has become the norm and where recent innovations in product development have resulted in flooring products that are more stain resistant, more durable and longer lasting than ever before.

But what exactly makes a carpet product sustainable?

And how can public venues like schools, healthcare facilities, hospitality centers and the like make sure they’re getting what they desire in terms of sustainable attributes, performance, and value?

Installation and Upkeep

While installing carpet in commercial settings is no job for a layman, proper installation of your carpet can be achieved “seamlessly” by hiring an installation contractor that adheres to high standards for all aspects of the installation.

The CRI 104/105 Carpet Installation Standard, a document that establishes minimum industry standards for commercial carpet installation, is a good place to start.

Once installed, it’s essential to keep your carpet well maintained through regular and intermittent deep cleanings.

That’s the key to maintaining your investment.

These days, keeping carpets clean has been simplified thanks to the proliferation of stain-resistant fibers in carpet products and because of the availability of excellent cleaning products and cleaning systems.

Even so, carpet products still benefit from regular vacuuming, which is the single most effective and economic means of keeping carpet in schools, healthcare settings, and other public venues clean.

Vacuums are designed to remove dry soil, which accounts for 85 percent of soil tracked into a building.

Frequent vacuuming captures the dirt at the surface before it settles into the fibers and becomes difficult to remove.

“The majority of dry soil can be removed from carpet through routine vacuuming procedures, but occasional use of cleaning systems, such as a low moisture encapsulation system, will efficiently improve your carpet’s appearance with limited downtime for cleaning and drying. The cleaning agent is applied to the carpet pile, allowed to dry and then vacuumed to remove encapsulated soil,” says Murray.

“And, twice a year or so, carpet should undergo hot water extraction cleaning by trained custodians or professional cleaning services. This process cleans deeply embedded soils and oily materials that vacuums can’t remove, which account for about 15 percent of all soil,” Murray noted.

Using the best cleaning equipment and cleaning products, such as those recommended by CRI’s Seal of Approval (SOA) program, is definitely the way to go.

The Seal of Approval program identifies effective carpet cleaning solutions and equipment that clean carpet right.

Not all products clean well enough to earn the SOA distinction, so be sure to look for the blue and green CRI Seal of Approval as proof that you are purchasing or using a quality product.

It’s easier than ever before to enjoy the benefits of making sustainable choices when it comes to flooring.

And, in terms of providing sustainable options for high-traffic public venues, it’s fair to say that carpet is not only getting the job done, but it’s doing so with remarkably good grades.

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There was a helpful article on choosing the right carpet on the cleaning website CleanLink.

The article was written by Doug Berjer, product manager for carpet cleaning machinery manufacturer Tornado Industries.

Here are some tips for choosing the best carpet for your home:

Colors and Patterns

…selecting the right colors and patterns is a very serious consideration; in a heavily trafficked area or where there is plenty of light, a multicolored carpet will help hide inevitable stains and soils.

The wealth of new carpet patterns and styles can be overwhelming, but don’t be daunted – choice is good, says Doug. Next, he says, choose the best installer.

Installers

Are they experienced? Do they follow proper installation practices? Improper carpet installation is the number one problem with new carpets.

The CRI 104/105 Installation Standards are the only installation standards recognized by the carpet industry. Check with your installer and make sure they follow CRI 104/105.

Learn more about CRI installation standards,

Backings

Some carpet manufacturers offer an extended, even lifetime performance warranty with their carpet backings; having this warranty can prove worthwhile, especially if the carpet is installed in a busy walkway.

Padding

Some carpets are now installed with no pad. Traditional roll carpeting should always be installed over a pad, approximately 1/4- to 1/2 – inch thick and designed to help support the carpet; padding should be thicker in areas that receive considerable foot traffic.

When selecting a pad for your carpet, check the carpet manufacturer’s requirements for thickness and density. The right pad forms a good foundation and provides increased insulation, making a room quieter and warmer.

Fewer VOCs

Low-gassing carpets release fewer volatile organic compounds into the air, an attractive feature that is beneficial to the environment and facility users.

And, since most of the carpet manufactured in the U.S. today has been certified to CRI’s Green Label Plus Indoor Air Quality standard, you can be certain of buying a truly low-VOC product – one that exceeds all regulatory requirements for lowering VOC emissions.

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