Is Carpet Right for Your Sanctuary?

There is a lot of chatter about whether carpet is more beneficial than other types of flooring in the church, especially since hardwood floors have made such a comeback in residential design. But for many pastors and church planters, carpet is still a favorite, especially when it comes to sanctuary flooring, and for good reason.

One of the primary reasons to choose carpeting for your sanctuary is acoustics. Sanctuaries are usually large, open spaces in which the congregation faces a staging area, where the preacher speaks and where the choir or worship band performs. Carpet enhances the acoustics in large rooms. If you have ever been in a gymnasium, you have most likely noticed the issue with echoing. Carpet helps to eliminate that hollow, reverberating sound in sanctuaries. Sound waves from the source reflect off of surfaces, causing what we perceive as a repeating sound. Carpet helps to absorb that sound and prevents the sound waves from reflecting off of the floor’s surface.

Not only does carpet help to absorb sound, it also helps to absorb shock when you walk across it and stand on it. Even if the carpet does not have much padding or any padding at all, it is still softer than a hardwood floor – and your body can tell the difference.

Carpet can be aesthetically pleasing when cared for properly. Carpet is available in a multitude of colors, designs and styles and can even be made to match existing chair or pew fabric. When cleaned regularly and properly, carpet can look new for years.

When it comes to preventing falls, carpet can be crucial. On rainy days or during the winter months when snow or sleet might be on the ground, non-carpeted floors can quickly become a disaster. Even a small amount of moisture on a slick floor can be a fall risk for those walking into the church.

Talk to your church furniture resource about whether they offer carpet for your church in addition to church furniture. Be sure to ask about what options they have available to match existing furnishings, or find out what they offer that matches new items your church might be interested in.