How to select the best commercial carpeting

Commercial carpets and carpet tile solutions have come a long way in terms in of design and functionality. Matthew McDonald looks at some of the best products of this type currently on the market.

Right now, the market for commercial carpeting is flush with options. The products on offer vary considerably in terms of safety, sustainability, aesthetics, and more. For this reason, selecting the right product for a particular application requires consideration of several factors.

Key considerations

According to Joel Williamson, National Sales Manager at GH Commercial, specifiers undertaking this task need to consider questions like – What is the purpose of the area that is being covered? How will it be used? How many people will use it? What is the client’s appetite for cleaning, maintenance, and replacements? 

“After setting these basic parameters, you can then start to look for products that might have the right look, feel, colour, pattern or texture to suit the space you are designing,” says Williamson.

It’s important to accept that sometimes compromise is necessary and to ensure that all stakeholders have accurate expectations, in terms of both the initial outcome and the ongoing use of the selections.

Williamson nominates cost, project lead times, and sustainability as important considerations during the initial planning stage.

“So many selections end up getting changed in the 11^th hour of the build phase, because the products picked are over budget, take too long to be delivered or simply don’t fit in with the sustainability ratings tool that is being used by the client,” he says.

To avoid this pitfall, Williamson recommends working with well-established manufacturers or distributors. In this way, he says, specifiers can be sure that multiple options are on the table in terms of certifications held, cost, and so forth.

“Look for suppliers that have the ability to provide multiple product options and the flexibility to deliver good results, regardless of the twists and turns that happen from inception to completion,” he says.

What specifiers want

EC Carpets, an Australian manufacturing specialising in loop pile carpets, has conducted market research in this area. The company asked architects, interior designers, and property developers what factors influence them when specifying carpets for different types of projects.

The research identified durability, aesthetics, environmental sustainability, and cost as the key considerations.

According to EC Carpets, thanks to their value-engineered construction, durability, and performance, SND loop pile carpets continue to gain momentum in commercial applications.

The company says that because businesses are increasingly prioritising longevity and ease of maintenance, solution-dyed nylon (SDN) carpets – which are resistant to stains and fading, and able to maintain their appearance even in high-traffic environments – have become a product of choice.

To support eco-conscious design, EC Carpets has introduced the SDN Econyl range, which is made from one hundred per cent regenerated nylon. This initiative, which repurposes waste materials such as old carpeting and discarded fishing nets, results in a high-performance flooring solution that aligns with environmental goals.

The company’s commitment to precision engineering ensures that every loop-pile carpet is durable and able to retain its appearance for years to come, even in high-traffic environments.

Beyond durability, these loop-pile carpets offer practical benefits such as improved acoustics, enhanced comfort underfoot, and stain resistance. As such, they are recommended as suitable for both residential and commercial applications. 

Carpeting as a design medium 

Ainsley Gibbon, Managing Director of Gibbon Group says that, as architects continue to redefine commercial interiors with an emphasis on sustainability, well-being, and long-term performance, carpets remain an essential component in crafting spaces that are as responsible as they are inspiring.

“Far from being a mere surface treatment, carpets serve as a foundational design element – enhancing spatial identity, acoustic comfort, and material storytelling,” says Gibbon.

According to Gibbon, with the dialogue surrounding workplace design continuing to evolve, several key trends are influencing carpet specification.

The first of these is biophilic design. 

“The integration of natural elements into interiors remains at the forefront of architectural thinking,” says Gibbon. “Carpet textures and patterns inspired by organic forms contribute to a calming, restorative atmosphere, reinforcing the link between design and well-being.”

Similarly, health and well-being have become influential.

“Indoor air quality and non-toxicity have become non-negotiable considerations in commercial fit outs,” says Gibbon. “Carpets that are low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and are free from harmful chemicals, will contribute to a healthier built environment, positively impacting occupant comfort and productivity.”

And thirdly, Gibbon sees a growing number of architects prioritising carpets with strong environmental credentials. 

She says these specifiers are seeking products, which are “crafted from renewable, recycled, or biodegradable materials, manufactured with a reduced carbon footprint, and certified by third-party sustainability standards such as Global GreenTag International, GECA, ECS, or Cradle to Cradle.”

The good news, on these terms, is that advancements in carpet manufacturing continue to push the boundaries of not just sustainability, but also performance and aesthetics.

Asked for examples, Gibbon points to Synsisal carpet and custom rugs, which are contract-grade flat woven products crafted from 100 percent Econyl regenerated nylon; Modulyss Carpet Tiles, a European brand that has embraced biophilic design principles, creating collections of texturally rich organic designs which are also manufactured using Econyl regenerated nylon; and Tretford carpets, which are crafted from natural goat hair.

Modularity

According to Kobe Gowland, National Business Development Manager – Corporate at Interface, the need for flexible workplaces has made modularity popular.

In addition, “from an aesthetic standpoint, we are seeing a shift towards warmer tones and textural elements to support a more residential look and feel in commercial spaces.” 

This trend, she says, can be explained by the desire to encourage staff back to the office and provide a more engaging and “softer” welcoming environment.

“The focus in new carpet tile products includes heavy duty commercial modular tiles coupled with high design,” says Gowland, noting the contrast between these types of products and the grey/charcoal plain tiles, typically found in corporate settings in previous times.

Interface’s own range includes large format high-design, textured tapestry products, which are intended to ensure an updated modern look and feel, while still supporting the company’s focus on sustainability.

Asked for examples, Gowland points to “Etched and Threaded” the company’s latest global collection, which is a modern take on natural textures; and “Upon Common Ground”, a collection co-created by Interface and Indigenous designers, which celebrates connection to country.

Noting the growing popularity of biophilic design, she also highlights “Interface i2”, which she describes as “organic and randomly designed products which reduce waste, increase ease of replacement, and use nature to guide their design”. 

Established in China in early 2000, and with a presence in the Australian market for the last two years, Midas Floors offers a broad range of flooring products, including timber, laminate, and hybrid options.

In terms of carpeting, the company offers premium solution dyed nylon carpet tiles, which are suitable for all types of commercial applications. Favoured by architects, developers and builders, these carpet tiles are manufactured in line with all the above-mentioned market requirements and trends.

Made from recycled materials, they are ideal for corporate offices, educational institutions, and hospitality spaces.

On top of that, they are cushion-backed and therefore perform well in an acoustic sense. They reduce noise, while at the same time, increasing underfoot comfort. For these reasons, according to the company, they are commonly installed in open-plan offices and co-working spaces.

Because they are moisture-resistant, they can also be found in high-moisture environments such as basements, locker rooms, and healthcare facilities. Similarly, because they are designed for durability and to allow stains to be removed completely, they are ideal for airports, healthcare facilities, and retail settings. 

As carpet tiles, they allow for quick replacement of damaged sections, reducing downtime and costs. Custom-printed (with a four – six month lead time), they facilitate the creation of unique interiors in hospitality venues, event spaces and so forth.

Asking the right questions

To summarise, as Joel Williamson, National Sales Manager GH Commercial notes – “Modern flooring products have moved from being simple functional elements to being able to contribute to the interior vision and how people interact with the built environment.”

“This creates a complex challenge to deliver unique but well performing products to an incredibly diverse market.”

For specifiers, understanding the needs of this market and matching them to available products starts with communication and with asking the right questions.

“There are no right answers to these questions but knowing this will help you discern if the products you are selecting are fit for purpose and can help suppliers assist you with finding solutions,” says Williamson.

Main image: Colour Theory, Cameo, GH Commercial.

Suppliers

GH Commercial

Gibbon Architectural

Interface

EC Carpets

Midas Floors