The Carpet and Rug Institute today announced important updates to its 104/105 installation standards for commercial and residential carpet. Developed by a team of industry leaders, these changes address industry innovations that require new approaches to carpet installation, particularly planning and subfloor preparation.

“Over the past 20 years, we’ve seen a flood of new carpet products, materials and technologies in the market. Carpet installers need updated guidance to ensure customers fully benefit from these advances and receive high quality installation,” said Joe Yarbrough, president of The Carpet and Rug Institute. “These important updates reinforce the industry’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, and will ensure the CRI guidelines continue to serve as the industry’s gold standard resource for carpet installation.”

Proper carpet installation is critical to the overall quality and life of carpet. Best installation practices have evolved as new products have entered the marketplace, such as new carpet backing systems that require installers to emphasize subfloor preparation.  The Carpet and Rug Institute’s refreshed 104/105 standards emphasize proper planning, preparation and testing of subflooring to ensure high quality commercial and residential carpet installation.  The updated standards also are formatted in a user-friendly, easy-to-read document.

“We didn’t start from scratch. Industry leaders worked together to enhance the industry’s most widely regarded standards to ensure installers, retailers and builders have the best guidelines for commercial and residential carpet planning and installation,” said Jim Walker, founder of Certified Floorcovering Installers (CFI) and president of American Floor Covering Institute.  “If it doesn’t start right, it will not finish right.  This is an industry that supports all parties working together for the common goal of customer satisfaction, starting at the time of the sale through the finished installation.”  

To update The Carpet and Rug Institute’s 104/105 carpet installation standards, industry leaders drew upon practical experience and research and information obtained from carpet manufacturers, retailers, installers, customers, testing laboratories and other experts. The standards will be evaluated periodically to ensure continued relevance. 

To view and download The Carpet and Rug Institute’s updated 104/105 installation standards for commercial and residential carpet, visit www.carpet-rug.org.