You’ve gone over your budget and by nothing short of a miracle you have enough left to buy a classroom rug that you’ve been wanting since practically your first day teaching. Before you make a purchase though, there are several other factors besides color, size, shape and subject you need to consider.
Just like every other product available on the market, there are going to be top-of-the-line versions and lower-quality ones. Depending on what you are buying, you may be willing to sacrifice quality in order to save a few, bucks but when it comes to kids’ rugs, settling for a lesser-quality product can actually mean sacrificing the overall health and safety of your classroom.
What to Look for When Buying a Classroom Rug
Carpet making technology has come a long way and manufacturers now offer rugs that boast a slew of benefits from germ-fighting treatments to construction techniques that will help keep your rug in tip-top shape for years to come. Leading manufacturers Carpets for Kids® and Joy Carpets, Inc. produce classroom rugs with features that will help keep your little ones safe and healthy, and that makes everyone happy.
Fiber – Consider the type of fiber used to construct the rug. Fiber is a rug’s main ingredient and determines longevity and the ability to retain appearance over time. Certain fibers, such as high-grade nylon are going to be much more durable and able to withstand wear-and-tear better than carpets made of lower quality fibers. Nylon represents two-thirds of the pile fibers used in the United States because of its resilient nature that can withstand the weight and movement of furniture coupled with its ability to provide and hold bold, brilliant color.
Texture – There are several carpet construction techniques used today that result in various textures, each with their own specific advantages and dis-advantages. When it comes to classroom rugs, the most popular texture style is cut pile because of the overall durability it provides and its soil-hiding ability. Cut pile is easily recognizable by the visible ends of cut yarn tufts that collectively comprise the face of the carpet. Compared to loop pile construction, cut pile carpets won’t unravel so you’ll never have to worry about a loose yarn strand being pulled and ruining an entire length of the carpet.
Density – Refers to the amount of pile yarn in the carpet and the closeness of the tufts. In general, the denser the pile, the better the performance.
Antimicrobial Protection - Wherever children are present, you know the germs aren’t far behind! Look for a rug that has been coated with an antimicrobial chemical treatment that works to reduce the growth of common bacteria, fungi, yeast, mold and mildew. This treatment is incorporated into the backing composite of carpets to minimize product deterioration and odors caused by microbial activity.
Attached Cushion – Material, usually in the form of foam, rubber, urethane or PVC is adhered to the back side of a carpet to provide additional stability, thickness and padding helping to reduce the “ouch” if a fall occurs. This additional layer is sandwiched in between the backing layers of the carpet, so you don’t need to worry about your kids coming into contact with any potentially harmful or allergy-causing materials.
Secondary Backing – All carpets contain a primary backing, the fabric the yarn is attached to during manufacturing. For increased durability and resilience, be sure to buy a rug that also features a secondary backing. A secondary backing is an additional layer of woven fabric that is laminated to the back of the carpet to reinforce and increase dimensional stability. All Carpets for Kids® rugs feature their signature KIDply® backing system that works to:
- Prevent wrinkling and creasing
- Increase durability
- Provide unmatched softness and flexibility
- Increase sound and thermal insulation performance
Anti-Stain Protection – Choose a rug that has been protected with an anti-stain treatment. Anti-stain treatments coat the carpet fibers helping them to block out stains, and stay cleaner for longer. Joy Carpets uses STAINMASTER™ Premium Continuous Filament Nylon while Carpets for Kids® protect their rugs with their Carpet Guard®. These additional, protective treatments not only help to keep stains out, but help to keep color in and brighter than ever.
Meets or Exceeds CRI’s Green Label Plus Certification – Carpeting can negatively impact the environment if it emits a dangerous level of volatile organic compounds. Choosing a rug that meets or exceeds the CRI’s Green Label Plus certification standards ensures that it is safe for the environment and safe for us all.
Meets All Fire Code Requirements – Safety is of the utmost importance for any educator or child care provider, so it is absolutely essential that a carpet meets all national fire code requirements for NFPA-258, Class I. If it is not stated in the product description or the information is difficult to find, it is best to err on the side of caution and keep shopping. In general, if a classroom carpet fulfills fire code requirements, it will be clearly stated.
About the Author: RTR Kids Rugs provides a wide variety of children's rugs that are the perfect addition to any school, church or daycare facility. Visit www.rtrkidsrugs.com to shop classroom rugs for kids or for more information.
