LANSING, MI -- The state is spending nearly $371,000 to replace aging carpet in the 134-year-old Michigan Capitol building this summer.

It will be installed in the House and Senate chambers and the fourth floor, where the carpet has frayed in the more than 20 years since it was installed.

"The carpeting is very worn out and at some point you can't keep stitching up holes and sealing seams with duct tape," Tim Bowlin, director of the House Business Office, said in a statement. "Some areas have been repaired multiple times and are literally falling apart."

British company Brintons was selected for the job as the low bidder among six proposals. The company also provided carpet installed during the Capitol restoration project that began in 1989, though it was under a different name at that time. The company's office in Atlanta, Ga. is handling the installation.

There's at least one Michigan company with experience in specialty high-profile government carpeting: Cascade Township-based Scott Group made rugs for the Oval Office for Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

"We looked at the cost of the project and tried to balance getting a high quality product that was still reasonably priced for taxpayers," said Ari Adler, spokesman for House Speaker Jase Bolger.

Adler said he believed Scott Group made a product of "exceptional quality"but was out of the state's price range.

The carpet will cost $214,915. The total cost with installation and carpet padding is $370,846.

The state also will update computer wiring, telecommunications cabling and electrical adapters located underneath the carpet. It will add a hearing aid loop to the gallery so those with hearing impairments can better listen to legislative sessions.

Bids have not been collected for technology upgrades.

Funding will come from the $3 million Capitol maintenance budget for 2013. Left over funds will be used for additional up-keep projects.

Email Melissa Anders at manders@mlive.com. Follow her on Google+ and Twitter: @MelissaDAnders. Download the MLive app for iPhone and Android.