• Commercial carpet should be easy to clean and withstand high traffic.carpet roller image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the industry trade group, Carpet and Rug Institute, carpeting covers nearly 70 percent of all flooring in the United States. The invention of the broadloom tufting machine in the 1930s and the introduction of synthetic fibers in the 1950s allowed for the mass production of carpets for residential and commercial locations. Today there are several different ways that carpets can be manufactured, each with their own advantages.
  
  

Construction Styles

• Almost all commercial carpeting starts out as a pile loop. This method of construction uses a commercial machine to thread yarn from the bottom of the rug to the top and then back to the bottom, creating a "loop" of fiber that serves as the pile for the rug. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 90 percent of all commercial carpet is tufted, where tufts of yarn are poked through the primary backing of the carpet and held in place by a secondary backing. This tends to be a very durable option for commercial rugs, leading to its popularity. Some pile loop rugs are made from yarn that is woven through the carpet, eliminating the need for a secondary backing.
  
  Another option for commercial rugs is cut pile rugs. These rugs are made similar to loop pile rugs except that the yarn is cut to a uniform length after the loops are made. These types of carpets are popular in some commercial settings because of the uniform look and feel and are frequently used in lower-traffic areas such as individual offices and boardrooms. Combination cut and loop pile carpets are also used in some commercial settings.
  
  

Fiber Materials

• The Carpet and Rug Institute estimates that 80 to 82 percent of all commercial carpets manufactured in the United States are made from a nylon-based fiber. Nylon is popular because it is a very durable material that will withstand wear and tear in high use areas. It is also frequently used in high traffic locations because it is very stain resistant and easy to clean. Olefin is a popular option for carpets that are frequently in the sun because it is highly resistant to having colors fade from sunlight. However, it is not nearly as durable as nylon. Wool carpeting is more expensive than nylon or olefin but hides soil well and is very strong.
  
  

Carpet Backing Systems

• While many household rugs only have one layer of backing to hold the loops of yarn to the rug, most commercial rugs have a secondary backing. This secondary backing frequently is designed with features to improve the performance and durability of the carpet. Some backings are designed to aid in protection against stains or microbial build-up; others can reduce static build-up or create additional padding for comfort while walking.