Cushion Backed | Milliken

CUSHION BACK CARPET TILES

WHAT IS CUSHION BACKING?

Cushion backing is a layer of padding that’s built into carpet tiles, along with several other layers, resulting in a premium cushioned carpet tile for enhanced insulation, comfort, acoustics, and wear performance.

Milliken’s cushion backing is made with 90% recycled materials providing very tangible health and wellness benefits. By offering a more comfortable surface to stand or walk on, it reduces fatigue and through its acoustic properties. It does this by reducing noise levels which can in turn positively impact stress levels, making it a suitable option for flooring in commercial environments.

Cushion back carpets will also last 40 to 50% longer than hardback carpets as the cushion backing absorbs the effects of wear and protects the face of the carpet, unlike other backing options. Cushion backing also offers installation, ergonomic, safety and environmental benefits.

Milliken’s cushion backing is offered in two thicknesses:

Comfort Plus® – for the ultimate in luxurious premium comfort and superior acoustic performance
Comfort Lite – for enhanced underfoot comfort, acoustic and wear performance

CROSS SECTION: CUSHION BACKING

Cushion Backed Carpet Tile

CUSHION BACKING IN NUMBERS

APPEARANCE RETENTION

Cushion backing can extend the carpet's life by up to

50%

UNDERFOOT COMFORT

Cushion backing reduces leg muscle fatigue by up to

24%

IMPROVES ACOUSTICS

Milliken Cushion Backing absorbs up to

50%

more noise than hardback

REDUCES IMPACT SOUND

Comfort Plus® reduces impact sound (e.g. from foot traffic) by up to

40%

IMPROVED ACOUSTICS

COMFORT PLUS IMPROVES ACOUSTICS

In open-office environments, with teams of people all talking at once, noise can be disturbing and frustrating. In such environments, the acoustic advantages of cushion backing are impressive.

Spaces fitted with Comfort Plus carpet tiles will be noticeably quieter than with any hardback system. Comfort Plus® reduces impact noise (e.g. from foot traffic) and absorbs ambient sound (e.g. from nearby conversations) making spaces feel calmer and less frenetic. Improvements in workplace acoustics can yield higher performance and increase productivity, making it easier to both concentrate and collaborate.

The acoustic properties provided by Comfort Plus® are also beneficial in educational environments, making it easier for students and teachers to hear, communicate and concentrate. Numerous studies have shown that reduced noise levels improve knowledge retention and reduce error rates among students and minimise vocal cord strain for teachers.

Here's how it works: Cushion addresses two aspects of sound in the working environment

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Acoustic Benefits of Cushion Backing | Milliken Floor Covering

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1. IT IMPROVES THE ABILITY OF THE CARPET TO REDUCE IMPACT NOISE

Impact noise is essentially a structural vibration that occurs when one object collides with another, such as footsteps on a floor. It typically occurs in an adjacent space and is transmitted from the point of impact through a wall or floor. Noise is measured in decibels (dB).

Impact Noise Comparison

Comfort Plus® reduces impact sound (e.g. from foot traffic) by up to 40%

2. IT IMPROVES THE ABILITY OF THE CARPET TO ABSORB AMBIENT SOUND

Sound absorption refers to the carpet’s ability to absorb (rather than reflect) sound waves within a space, from sources such as human speech. A material’s sound absorbing properties are expressed by the sound absorption coefficient, α, (alpha), as a function of the frequency. Alpha (α) ranges from 0 to 1.00.

Sound Absorption Comparison

Comfort Plus® reduces impact sound (e.g. from foot traffic) by up to 40%

UNDERFOOT COMFORT

CUSHION BACKING IMPROVES UNDERFOOT COMFORT

Cushion backing has a huge impact on comfort and fatigue. At the end of the day employees in open office environments that use carpet tiles with cushion backing; will notice a big difference in the way their knees, feet, back and ankles feel. The cumulative benefit over weeks and months can have a big impact on overall health.

The benefits go beyond just physical health. An investment in Milliken cushion backed carpet can provide dividends in the form of increased productivity and improved morale. In retail and hospitality environments where comfort is a vital part of the overall customer experience, Milliken's soft carpet tiles with cushion backing help create a more relaxing and luxurious environment where guests will feel more at home and want to linger longer.

Here's how it works:

The open cell cushioning used in Milliken’s cushion backing features the same type of technology found in high-performance athletic shoes. With greater underfoot support, Milliken cushion backing significantly reduces leg muscle fatigue – often by as much as 24%.

As height adjustable desks become the norm, the ergonomic benefits of cushion backing are amplified. In sit-stand working spaces, comfort whilst both standing and sitting are of equal concern and Milliken’s cushion backing systems tick all the ergonomic boxes.

sit-stand

Cushion backing offers improved ergonomics and is particularly beneficial with sit-stand workstations

APPEARANCE RETENTION

CUSHION BACKING IMPROVES APPEARANCE RETENTION

In most buildings, the floor covering is the most used, and abused, interior finish. It is also usually the finish with the largest surface area and so protecting its appearance will have a significant impact on the overall long term aesthetics of the interior. Cushion backing protects the face of the carpet from the effects of traffic and wear and can extend the life of the carpet by up to 50%.

comfort-plus-side-view

Here's how it works:

The cushion backing acts as an insulating shock absorber, absorbing some of the impact of foot traffic, reducing wear and damage to the carpet fibre. As the face of the carpet is protected, its appearance retention is extended and the life of the carpet is increased.