Facility managers are holding specifiers accountable for carpet performance and longevity. Architects and designers are more educated and are demanding product improvements from the mills. The mills, in turn, have put high expectations on their suppliers.

All these dynamics create an environment where value-added features, like high performance backings, are now the expectation instead of an option. Add to this, the increased focus on worker comfort and workplace ergonomics, and carpet backings, although not new, have taken on a new focus and prominence, especially in commercial settings, though their importance in the residential market is growing.

The explosion in design sophistication is challenging carpet mills in their ability to manufacture intricate patterns in the tufting process. Patterned broadloom accounts for approximately 60% of the commercial carpet, and is a growing segment in higher end retail markets. The newer designs require precision needle punch alignment. And the new generation of backings and binders helps make that possible. Both primary and secondary backings, plus the bonding and binding agents, have evolved to help facilitate the manufacturing process for patterned carpets.

In addition to the high expectations placed on carpets for design integrity, end users expect the products to look perfect when they go down, with no bow or skew. Customers demand carpets with no distortion upon installation, so backing products have evolved to help installers do the job with less hassle, les stretching, fewer callbacks and reduced claims.

Of course, interest in environmentally friendly products is growing, if not mandated, in many facilities. Today’s carpet backing materials need to have low VOCs for indoor air quality issues, and cause no harm in the disposal process. Industry associations and companies have environmental initiatives that are leading to newer and more environmentally responsible products and programs.

Finally, there’s a more collaborative effort between designers, mills and backing suppliers to work together for total customers satisfaction. Backing technology and materials are taking a more prominent role in providing solutions for the carpet industry instead of being the invisible, after-installation product foundation.

(Reprinted from Floor Covering News, Vol. 16, Number 24. Feb 4/11 2002 Susan Hoffman