Dalton, GA, September 15, 2006--Polyurethane backing technology from The Dow Chemical Company offers a solution for carpet in educational facilities.
Enhancer Technology for cushioned carpet backing or non-cushioned carpet backing addresses many concerns about today’s educational spaces, including durability, appearance retention and longevity.
A school’s carpet is a major investment, one that needs to last over time. Carpet in educational facilities must withstand issues such as heavy foot and rolling traffic, ground-in dirt, sliding chairs, food and drink spills, and more. With Dow polyurethane backing technology, carpet is more durable and consistently retains its appearance.
Dow polyurethane technology for commercial carpet creates a unique molecular structure, forming a polymeric bond between the primary and secondary backing. The result is a unified composite material that improves the performance of carpet. Polyurethane’s strong adhesion properties allow the carpet yarn to maximize the tuft bind for the life of the carpet. This helps minimize edge ravel and disfiguring snags and pulls, even under a classroom’s most intensive use situations. It also enables carpet to withstand heavy foot traffic and reduces the likelihood of delamination (a common problem in settings with rolling traffic). To further boost a school’s bottom line, the thermal insulating characteristics of Enhancer Technology for cushioned backing can even help reduce heating and cooling costs.
Dow polyurethane technology can also affect a school’s budget by helping carpet look better for longer periods of time. The unique molecular structure of polyurethane allows the carpet and backing to absorb the pounding motion of foot traffic and support the heavy weight of furniture, without bottoming out. Cushioned backing reduces pile crushing and matting over time, which is especially effective in high-traffic areas like hallways. Constant traffic can also cause carpet to pill and fuzz--a problem that is significantly reduced by the strong tuft bind characteristics of backing made with Dow polyurethane technology. To further extend the life and appearance of carpet, the functional liquid barrier in Dow technology means spills and dirt can be easily removed, and it allows for aggressive maintenance programs, including hot water extraction.
“Because our technology improves the appearance and effectiveness of carpet, schools replace their flooring less often, which also creates less waste,” said Scott Lowrie, business manager for Dow Polyurethane Floor Coverings Group. “The end result is carpet that looks and feels great, and lasts for years to come.”
Backing made with Dow polyurethane technology is available upon request through all carpet manufacturers. For more information on Dow polyurethane technology, visit us at the Council of Educational Facility Planners annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona, September 16-19, at booth #502. See also dowcarpetbackings.com.
