Had to decide between carpet tiles and broadloom for a church basement job last month

The job was a big Sunday school room in a church down in Springfield. About 600 square feet. They wanted something that could handle spills and heavy foot traffic. I pushed for carpet tiles because if a kid spills juice you just swap one tile out. The pastor pushed back hard saying tiles look cheap and shift around. I went with broadloom in the end. Now three weeks in they already have a stain right near the coffee station. Kinda wish I had pushed harder for the tiles. Anyone else deal with clients who won't listen about carpet tiles?

2 comments

2 Comments

ellis.diana10d ago

I read a study a while back from a flooring trade group that said carpet tiles last about 40% longer than broadloom in commercial settings specifically because you can swap out damaged sections. That stuck with me. I think a lot of people just remember old office carpet tiles that were wavy and ugly. But the new ones with the heavy backing and gripper dots stay put just fine if you install them right. Might be worth showing that stat next time a pastor gets pushy. They care about long-term cost even if they don't say it.

graytorres10d ago

Had a similar thing happen last year. Did a rec room for a family with three kids and they insisted on sheet vinyl even though I said LVP would hold up better. Six months later they called me back because a dropped hot pan melted a hole right in it. I had to cut out a patch and it never looked right. Next time I just tell clients straight up what the maintenance will be like with their choice. If they still pick wrong, that's on them. But at least I know I tried.