Difference between revisions of "Carpet"
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How to fit grip rod | How to fit grip rod | ||
* Fit grip rod all round the perimeter, attaching it about 5mm from the wall. The angled edge goes toward the wall. | * Fit grip rod all round the perimeter, attaching it about 5mm from the wall. The angled edge goes toward the wall. | ||
| − | * Nail it down to wood floors | + | * [[Nail]] it down to wood floors |
| − | * Glue it to concrete floors | + | * [[Adhesive|Glue]] it to concrete floors |
How to fit carpet with grip rod | How to fit carpet with grip rod | ||
# Fit grip rod as above | # Fit grip rod as above | ||
# Fit the underlay, cutting it so it doesn't overlap the grip rod. | # Fit the underlay, cutting it so it doesn't overlap the grip rod. | ||
| − | # Place carpet in position, and cut one side 1/ | + | # Place carpet in position, and cut one side 1/2" - 3/4" bigger than where it meets the walls. |
| − | # Use a flat paint scraper to wack the carpet into the gap between rod and wall. Beware of this pulling the carpet slightly - fix one side before cutting the opposite side. | + | # Use a flat [[paint]] scraper to wack the carpet into the gap between rod and wall. Beware of this pulling the carpet slightly - fix one side before cutting the opposite side. |
==[[Adhesive]]== | ==[[Adhesive]]== | ||
Revision as of 07:39, 5 February 2009
Carpet Types
Backing types
Foam rubber
- feels soft underfoot
- does not need underlay
- non-shrinking
- foam backing disintegrates eventually
- a layer of newspaper stops it sticking to the floor
Hessian
- prone to shrink during cleaning
- prone to rot in damp locations
- benefits from underlay
Woven plastic
- synthetic equivalents to hessian are unaffected by cleaning
Felt
- a lower cost backing
Sheet plastic
- waterproof, found on bathroom carpets
Pile types
- wool
- wool/synthetic blend
- synthetic
- loop
- cut pile
- shag
Axminster
Wilton
Axminster & Wilton are manufacturing methods, not brand names. They are therefore available made in any location.
Flotex
carpet tiles
Quality
Quality of carpet depends on
- Pile density
- the more the better
- Pile material mixture
- 70/30 and 80/20 are excellant mixtures, giving the lowest wear rates
- 100% synthetic can generate static in summer
- How pile is attached to backing
- Cheaper cut pile types are not as robust as...
- Woven piles like Axminster & Wilton
Buying carpet
New
Beware of the travelling sellers that show good quality specimens then fit cheaper carpet, claiming its what you ordered and paid for.
Used
Choose clean carpet only. Used carpet can be cleaned, but cleaning may fail to remove all stains, and general dirt can hide stains. Used carpets are available from giveaway schemes such as freecycle and others.
Offcuts
Economy Measures
If money is tight, using cleaned used carpets or new offcuts as underlay can leave enough money for better quality carpet. This has its pros and cons, and is discussed here
Carpet fitting
Gripper rod
Grip rod is the method of choice for most carpet fitting jobs where underlay is used.
How to fit grip rod
- Fit grip rod all round the perimeter, attaching it about 5mm from the wall. The angled edge goes toward the wall.
- Nail it down to wood floors
- Glue it to concrete floors
How to fit carpet with grip rod
- Fit grip rod as above
- Fit the underlay, cutting it so it doesn't overlap the grip rod.
- Place carpet in position, and cut one side 1/2" - 3/4" bigger than where it meets the walls.
- Use a flat paint scraper to wack the carpet into the gap between rod and wall. Beware of this pulling the carpet slightly - fix one side before cutting the opposite side.
Adhesive
Adhesive is a fast method to fit carpets with no underlay. Solvent based spray adhesive is very fast drying. The carpet is cut in situ where it meets the walls.
Tacks
Stair rods
A known risk factor for stair falls. If using rods, its best to use some secondary fixing system for safety.
Double sided carpet tape
Stretching is not needed for most domestic carpets
Carpet and Downlighters
Mixing downlighting with carpets is a recipe for very poor energy efficiency. The darker the carpet, the worse the result.
Carpet Styles
When you wish to create a certain style
- Arabic
- Minimalist
- Practical
- soft patterns, never plain
- pile is mixed colours rather than areas of single colour
- mid to light colours in dull rooms
- fairly dark colours if very heavy use anticipated
- 70/30 wool synthetic blend for minimum wear
- Victorian
- deep reds, blues,
- Flower patterns
- Geometric patterns
- Fine but fairly bold repetitive patterns
- Rugs and runners rather than fitted carpets
- Uncarpeted wooden floor borders often painted black
- Brass stair rods
Carpet in Vehicles
- vehicle carpet is prone to condensation
- Hessian backing does not last as well when damp is enountered
- synthetic pile & backing is most tolerant of damp.
- Bathroom carpet is the domestic type closest to car carpets. Its waterproof.
Carpet in Bathrooms
Unpopular due to hygiene issues
If you want bathroom carpet, a carpet cleaner would be a good idea too.
Pick a non-shrink backing
Waterproof backing is best for suspended timber floors. Permeable backing is best for historic masonry floors with no dpc, as it permits evaporation from the floor.
Carpet Cleaning
Repair & Maintenance
Areas of flattened pile
- Spray with water.
- Brush vigorously until pile stands up.
- Leave to dry
Fraying or shedding edges
To stop deterioration
- hoover clean
- cut away stragglers
- apply latex glue to backing, eg Copydex.
- PVA also works, but dries semi-rigid, so must be kept to backing and base of pile only to maintain a soft feel for bare feet.
To repair
- cut out a rectangle of damage
- cut a replacement piece of carpet from somewhere inconspicuous, eg under a sofa
- Fix patch to trimmed damaged area using carpet tape
- Or glue patch in place using latex
- Apply latex to all cut edges to prevent fraying.
See Also
Carpet cleaning thread on ukdiy