FAQs

The first large-scale installations were completed in 2010, & remain active.

The top of each anchor extends a tiny fraction of an inch, by design reaching slightly below the top of the carpet tile backing.

No. Anchors cannot be detected—either visually or by “feel”—once carpet is laid.

We’ve often been on site when a designer or facility manager demonstrating the system to colleagues wants to reveal an anchor…& can’t find one. (This is the only situation in which you may need to lift extra tiles!)

Because the top of each anchor lies within the plane of the backing material & below the carpet pile, anchors are well-protected.

Note that anchors are often exposed to an active construction environment for weeks between floor & carpet installation. The occasional anchor gets replaced (extras are supplied), but they’re remarkably tough & resilient.

If it’s your 1st CarpetLOK project, we recommend reviewing the video courses on this site & browsing the documentation in our Library. Your raised floor & (approved) carpet reps can usually answer any remaining questions…but we’re also available to help with specific application concerns; write to support@CarpetLOK.com

Anchors are made in the U.S. from 100% virgin nylon. [Ecological notes: a) reclaimed plastic can’t be injection molded with the precision needed to meet our exacting tolerances; b) the CarpetLOK system is incredibly efficient—to secure 1,000 square feet of carpet, only 8 ounces of anchors are needed; c) carpet wears out & gets replaced, but anchors are designed to last the life of the building; d) anchors can themselves be recycled.]

In a word…no. It’s human nature to think “if they recommend every 8’ on center, then every 4’ will yield a ‘stronger’ or more secure installation.” However, extensive testing—both in the lab & in the field—proves this is not the case.

The CarpetLOK grid creates “islands” of individual, unrestrained tiles between each set of anchors, & the recommended spacing allows just enough room for lateral forces to be optimally absorbed without causing tiles to dislodge. Adding more anchors, except in special cases (such as at the foot of a ramp), can negatively impact performance.

The short answer is that—just like adding more anchors—adding adhesive tabs throughout the field will negatively impact performance. Adhesive tabs combine individual carpet tiles into a single membrane…but the CarpetLOK system works best when tiles are free to micro-adjust within the anchor module.

Adhesive tabs are essential, though, for stabilizing the perimeter of every room between each wall & the 1st row of anchors, & also for securing all cut carpet tiles.

Anchors are commonly installed on ramps, & recommended to maintain carpet alignment with adjacent areas. However, carpet installers must follow specific carpet mill glue-down installation instructions for ramps.

No. The same protection recommended by virtually all carpet manufacturers—laying boards of masonite or lauan plywood along the path furniture-laden dollies will travel—works perfectly on a CarpetLOK installation. (Light-duty Visqueen or similar plastic sheeting may also be used, but this is NOT a substitute for hardboard protection of moving aisles.)

Yes. In the unlikely event an anchor is broken during a move or by contractors working in the space, we provide a small supply of spare anchors on each job, along with simple instructions (see CarpetLOK College course #202).

The materials & construction methods used by any carpet mill play a key role in determining whether their tiles will function well with CarpetLOK anchors. To ensure successful installation & sustained system performance, mills must build a full-scale mockup & conduct extensive testing, including both “lab tests” & real-world parameters.

For a current list of carpet tiles that are CarpetLOK Certified, contact us or ask your TecCrete rep.

While all carpet wears out, anchors don’t. Unlike virtually any other carpet tile installation method, CarpetLOK is installed once & lasts for the life of the facility.

It’s essential CarpetLOK Certified replacement tiles be continuously used for reasons cited above: rigid, reliable & consistent backing performance. The fact that standard carpet can be used—straight out of the box—makes replacement easier, faster, & less costly than with any other system.

Not at all. Tiles supplied for use with the CarpetLOK system are exactly the same as any other tiles of that carpet. Any 24” tile certified by CarpetLOK will, straight out of the box, perform equally well with CarpetLOK anchors on raised access floor, & on concrete slab.

Even when different sizes are offered, most facility managers choose to simply order all carpet as 24” tiles, making all areas interchangeable & reducing attic stock.

Material cost of the carpet itself may be slightly higher; however—use of dry adhesive tabs is usually reduced by at least 80%. Savings compared to releasable adhesive are even greater.

Most carpet crews report their productivity jumps between 30-50%, with 1st-time installers achieving proficiency within a day. These factors combine to make the system extremely competitive.

Absolutely. Occupancy cost always varies with churn rates, but the benefits of a) much faster moves, b) sharply reduced attic stock, & c) little or no waste when changes are made can be very substantial.