Nov 18 Carpet Meeting Agenda
Colors can be changed.  The samples below are not necessarily in our best colors.
  1. Peg Houck leading decision on gate removal  (10 min)
  2. Overview of carpet installation estimates  (10) (See notes in estimates below)
  3. Discussion with Shelley from Schneider Carpet One (20-30)
  4. They sell many different carpet brands:  Shaw, Millikin, Mohawk, most anythingI did go to Schneider Carpet One to look at carpets, and they had little selection -- all Millikin.  There is greater selection online, and it is safer.  I suggest we continue looking online and ask for samples to be sent once we feel we are closing in on a style/color.
  5. Continue discussion of carpet & estimates, etc. (20)

This is an hour of material.  If people want to continue, we can discuss a few carpet samples, and make progress there.  I encourage you to reply by email regarding the samples I sent earlier by email.  This will allow us to spend less time in the meeting.

ACTION REQUEST:
Please comment on the attached samples with your thoughts on:
style/pattern,
color,
general comments

If you find samples you would like to share, send them to [email protected] for others to comment on.

ACTION REQUEST:
Bring questions for Shelley, or send them to me ahead of time. 

I have asked Shelly to answer the following questions in her presentation, and then she can take questions.  She is scheduled for 20-30 minutes:
  • Considering broadloom vs carpet tiles, are there pros and cons to each?
  • What carpet types or construction techniques do you recommend for durability and stain resistance?
  • Pricing considerations -- is one more expensive?  
  • Cleaning considerations -- how should we care for the carpeting? 
  • What daily or other practices should be scheduled?
  • Are we able to get samples from you, once we're closer to a decision?
  • What is involved in getting a carpet with a border?  Is it constructed with a border, or laid as separate pieces at installation?

Carpeting:  Here is the info I have collected so far about carpeting from various reps:
  • Installation:  tile needs a smoother surface;  removal of glued in carpet may require work to smooth the surface. Broadloom is more forgiving.
  • Carpet tile is meant for raised floor areas where it is frequently needed to open the floor to access electrical and cabling (Gaskin)
  • Carpet tiles are good for resisting stains and soil in heavily trafficked areas, or commercial environments.Broadloom is more commonly used in hallways
  • When replacing stained tiles, the replaced tiles are obviously new-- for a replacement in a prominent location, take a tile from a less prominent location, and move to the stained area.  Put the new tile is the less prominent location where it will not be as obvious. -- replaced tiles blend in faster in high traffic areas;  stays noticeable in low traffic areas
  • Gaskin rep said:  "tile squares are great for casinos int he buffet area, where mass replacement takes place.  But if you spill in lobby, you can replace it, but when you get out of the elevator you look down and say oh look, 4 tiles have been replaced there."Replacing can be done by our maintenance people (depending on how complex the cut shape needed to fit the carpet)
  • Carpet tile installation can be less disruptive as it can be done in smaller sections, and is more tolerant to being stepped on during installation (glue drying)
  • Carpet tile is good if you have moisture/water issues -- felt backing wicks moisture to the cracks and releases (Millikin)
  • There is a lot of waste with Tile if you have a boarder. 
  • Broadloom better for a border
  • Broadloom is richer looking;  tiles are stiffer and less homey feel
  • Less variety of pattern in Tile, since they need to be pattern matched
  • Lead time is 6-8 weeks from order to receipt for any carpet.
  • Nylon is the most durable and cleanable material (except wool)
  • Wool is very expensive and difficult to clean stains
  • She rarely sees carpet that is worn -- usually the problem is with staining and gradual build-up of everyday soil before it shows wear
  • Solution dye carpeting is best for cleaning stains -- stains don't penetrate
  • Carpet could be stretched or glued.20-40 oz carpeting is normal, with the higher the weight, the more it costs--broadloom is usually higher weight than carpet tiles
  • Maintenance:  regular vacuuming for daily soil
  • Weekly spot stain cleaning with powder cleaner
  • Washed every 6 months

Info on estimates:  There is a lot to learn through the process of this research we are doing.
  • Estimates are based on Coffman blueprints.  The yardage aligns with that used in several previous estimates done while Linda M was Chair.
  • Putting tile on stairs is very labor intensive because a nose has to be put on to secure the bend in the tiles.  I asked for estimates for this, and they both gave me broadloom estimates for the stairs.  So I think that tells us that tiles may not be appropriate for stairs.
  • These estimates are generic cost estimates, and will vary with the type and pattern of carpet selected.  Patterns may require more carpeting to match patterns.  You see the attached estimates vary from $79,000 for carpet tiles in hallway, broadloom on stairs; to $87,359 for broadloom on both hallway and stairs; to $114,247 for printed broadloom on both hallway and stairs.
  • A different set of estimates for printed broadloom ranged from $198,923 for low end broadloom to $261,412 for high end tile (but broadloom on the stairs).  (Carpet tile was the more expensive in this case.)
  • Note, in the estimates, the 6 hallways to the garage are estimated together;  the 2 main lobby stairs are estimated together; the hallways are estimated together.  Partly this is so we can price them separately, if we choose to get different patterns for those 3 areas.  Although, we will likely increase the cost when we determine how the lobbies will be treated, and if there are other areas we want to treat differently.  Sharon has thoughts on how we might want to think of different areas on the building, and identify different carpet treatments for these areas.  In October, we discussed having Sharon present to us on this.
  • Printed broadloom, such as Millikin, is apparently more expensive (as you can see from the estimates).  It allows for designs that cannot be done in other type carpet construction.  I am told it does not impact the durability or stain resistance of the carpet.
Carpet Tile on Stair
This is what carpet tile looks like on a stair.
Links to other samples:
Batik Tile      Batik broadloom
Ikat Tile     Ikat broadloom
Sophistication Broadloom
Decor Tile
Kennebunk
Bellecourt
Verve
Vitae

Estimates for hallways & stairs, installation and carpet:

Broadloom
Printed Broadloom
Carpet Tiles 

Shaw Warranties - sample
Eco Evolution Nylon -- 20 yr
Carpet Tile -- Lifetime
Broadloom -- Lifetime

Shaw Maintenance
Printed carpet maintenance
Carpet Maintenance