The allure of California: specifying environmentally friendly commercial flooring

Commercial carpet is not generally a product we think of as sustainable, but in the case of a new designer offering now available in New Zealand, the opposite is true. With a Cradle to Cradle certification and a Declare label, this Californian product is certified for use in the Living Building Challenge.

An exclusive California-made brand of commercial carpet has hit our shores, and it’s already in high demand, as a result of its unique benefits, including a sought after environmental certification and extended durability. Bentley Mills carpet has long been known overseas for its superior craftsmanship and unique make up, Heritage Carpets’ Umesh Dayal says.

“It is one of only a handful of commercial carpets in the world that has both Cradle to Cradle certification and a Declare label, which means all Bentley carpets can be used in projects attaining to a Living Building Certification. These certifications mean that every material component of the carpet is free of those chemicals that make up the Red List, a list of the world’s most toxic chemicals - many of which are commonly used in the production of products such as commercial flooring.”

Heritage Carpets launched an extensive range of Bentley Mills commercial carpet tiles in New Zealand recently, opening the doors for premises such as stylish commercial offices, hotels, hospitality providers, event locations, hospitals, schools and aged care facilities to incorporate a sustainable and durable flooring solution. 

“These are heavy commercial-rated carpets designed specifically for extensive foot traffic and high-use areas,” Umesh says. “They are designed to withstand a lot without losing their integrity over time. 

“In terms of design, Bentley Mills carpets have a distinct style. Many of the designs have  a bold flair, while maintaining a high level of elegance.”

Many of the designs appear to be heavily textured, creating a dynamic point of interest. “These carpets are aimed at performance and longevity, while incorporating an interesting array of designs, the illusion of texture and a broad range of colours and styles.

“Bentley’s Insite visualiser tool allows you to instantly render their carpet in to your photo. You can choose from your gallery or click one in real time.”

Made-to-order commercial carpet tiles and rolls

Heritage Carpets offers a complete design service, working closely with the Bentley Mills designers in California. “All Bentley designs can be customised to suit specific projects, or we can create one-off designs for individual clients.

“Following a design consultation, clients are provided with an artwork in approximately 48 hours. Physical samples can also be provided to aid with final design decisions.

We also offer a full render service so clients are able to gain a complete understanding of how a particular carpet may complement an area.”

While Bentley Mills predominantly creates carpet tiles, the majority of commercial designs are also available in broadloom rolls. All carpet rolls and tiles are available with different backing options, including the option of a completely waterproof backing, something Umesh says is sought after particularly for early childhood and aged care facilities. This backing option is available on carpet rolls only. 

All Bentley Mills carpets are sold with a full 15-year commercial warranty covering colour fastness, wear, premature ageing and any defects. 

Find out more about Bentley Mills carpets.