Difference between revisions of "Carpet"
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===Foam rubber=== | ===Foam rubber=== | ||
* feels soft underfoot | * feels soft underfoot | ||
| − | * | + | * doesn't need separate underlay |
* non-shrinking | * non-shrinking | ||
* foam backing disintegrates eventually | * foam backing disintegrates eventually | ||
* a layer of newspaper stops it sticking to the floor | * a layer of newspaper stops it sticking to the floor | ||
| + | |||
===Hessian=== | ===Hessian=== | ||
| − | * | + | * Prone to shrink during cleaning |
| − | * | + | * Prone to rot in [[:Category:Damp|damp]] locations |
| − | * | + | * Such carpets benefit from underlay |
| + | |||
===Woven plastic=== | ===Woven plastic=== | ||
| − | * | + | * Synthetic equivalents to hessian are unaffected by [[:Category:Cleaning|cleaning]] |
| + | |||
===Felt=== | ===Felt=== | ||
| − | * a | + | * a low cost backing |
| + | |||
===Sheet plastic=== | ===Sheet plastic=== | ||
* waterproof, found on [[:Category:Bathrooms|bathroom]] carpets | * waterproof, found on [[:Category:Bathrooms|bathroom]] carpets | ||
| − | == | + | ===Bitumen=== |
| − | + | Backing used for commercial carpet tiles | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ==Pile materials== | |
| + | ===Wool=== | ||
| + | * Generates static, causing wear | ||
| + | * Costs more and performs worse than wool/synthetic blend | ||
| + | * Soaks up stains | ||
| + | * A historic option | ||
| − | + | ===Synthetic=== | |
| + | * Generates static, causing wear | ||
| + | * Fairly impervious to staining | ||
| + | * Good option for business premises | ||
| − | + | ===Wool/synthetic blend=== | |
| + | * The right blend more or less eliminates static production, extending carpet life | ||
| + | * 70/30 and 80/20 are quality mixtures | ||
| + | * Best option for luxury carpets | ||
| − | |||
| − | carpet tiles | + | ==Pile production methods== |
| + | ===Axminster & Wilton=== | ||
| + | * Much used luxury carpet types. | ||
| + | * These are manufacturing methods, not brand names, so may be made in any location. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Cut pile=== | ||
| + | Carpets made by punching cut pile through the backing are much cheaper, but don't last as long. Very popular carpet type. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Cord=== | ||
| + | * A robust low cost carpet type | ||
| + | * feels rough and stiff | ||
| + | * corrugated appearance | ||
| + | * mainly used in business premises | ||
| + | * not recommended for home use | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Carpet tiles=== | ||
| + | * If one tile gets stained or damaged, its easily replaced. | ||
| + | * Much used in business premises | ||
| + | * Stuck down with tackifier. This makes for quick tile removal any time. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Shag=== | ||
| + | * Luxury carpet type popular in the 70s. | ||
| + | * Now superseded. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Flotex=== | ||
| + | Brand of fully waterproof antimicrobial carpets. | ||
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Quality of carpet depends on | Quality of carpet depends on | ||
* Pile density | * Pile density | ||
| − | ** the more the better | + | ** the more the better, generally |
* Pile material mixture | * Pile material mixture | ||
| − | ** 70/30 and 80/20 are | + | ** 70/30 and 80/20 are usually best |
| − | |||
* How pile is attached to backing | * How pile is attached to backing | ||
| − | + | ** Woven piles like Axminster & Wilton are more durable than punched cut pile. | |
| − | ** Woven piles like Axminster & Wilton | ||
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=Carpet fitting= | =Carpet fitting= | ||
==Gripper rod== | ==Gripper rod== | ||
| − | [[image: | + | [[image:Grip rod 4413-3.jpg|right|185px]] |
| − | Grip rod is the method of choice for most carpet fitting jobs where underlay is used. | + | Grip rod is the method of choice for most carpet fitting jobs where underlay is used. Not suitable for use without an underlay. |
How to fit grip rod | How to fit grip rod | ||
| − | * Fit grip rod all round the perimeter, attaching it about | + | * Fit grip rod all round the perimeter, attaching it about 7mm from the wall. The angled edge goes toward the wall. |
| − | * [[Nail]] it | + | * [[Nails|Nail]] it to wooden floors |
* [[Adhesive|Glue]] it to concrete floors | * [[Adhesive|Glue]] it to concrete floors | ||
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==[[Adhesive]]== | ==[[Adhesive]]== | ||
| − | Adhesive is a fast method to fit carpets with no underlay. Solvent based spray adhesive is very fast drying. | + | Adhesive is a fast method to fit carpets with no underlay. Solvent based spray adhesive is very fast drying. Where the carpet meets the walls its simply cut in situ. |
==[[Nails|Tacks]]== | ==[[Nails|Tacks]]== | ||
| Line 81: | Line 113: | ||
* results in uneven carpet edges | * results in uneven carpet edges | ||
* small chance of a [[Nails|tack]] impaling a [[Cables|wire]] or [[Plumbing|pipe]] | * small chance of a [[Nails|tack]] impaling a [[Cables|wire]] or [[Plumbing|pipe]] | ||
| + | * The thin point of carpet tacks bends over in the wood, thus resisting pullout | ||
==Stair rods== | ==Stair rods== | ||
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==[[Tapes|Double sided carpet tape]]== | ==[[Tapes|Double sided carpet tape]]== | ||
| + | Tough double sided tape is occasionally used to lay carpet. (I wouldnt be confident about getting a good result with it.) | ||
| − | |||
| − | = | + | ==Tackifier== |
| − | + | * Apply by brush or roller | |
| + | * Let it set before laying the carpet | ||
| − | =Carpet | + | =Carpet Stretching= |
| − | + | This is one topic that tends to bring up opposing points of view at times, whether stretching is necessary or not. Lots of people lay carpet sucessfully without stretching it. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | =Carpet and Downlighters= | |
| − | + | Mixing [[Halogen Lighting|downlighting]] with carpets is a recipe for poor [[:Category:Energy Efficiency|energy efficiency]]. The darker the carpet, the worse the result. | |
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| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
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| − | |||
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=Carpet in Vehicles= | =Carpet in Vehicles= | ||
| − | * | + | * Vehicle carpet is prone to condensation |
| − | * Hessian backing does not last as well when [[:Category:Damp|damp]] is enountered | + | * Hessian backing does not last as well when [[:Category:Damp|damp]] is enountered, but is fine if it stays dry. |
| − | * | + | * Synthetic pile & backing is most tolerant of [[:Category:Damp|damp]]. |
* Bathroom carpet is the domestic type closest to car carpets. Its waterproof. | * Bathroom carpet is the domestic type closest to car carpets. Its waterproof. | ||
| + | * The author doesn't know if original vehicle carpets have any fire retardants added to improve safety. | ||
| + | |||
=Carpet in Bathrooms= | =Carpet in Bathrooms= | ||
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Pick a non-shrink backing | Pick a non-shrink backing | ||
| − | Waterproof backing is best for suspended timber floors. | + | Waterproof backing is best for suspended timber floors. A permeable backing is best for historic masonry floors with no dpc, as it permits evaporation from the floor. |
| + | |||
=Carpet Cleaning= | =Carpet Cleaning= | ||
| + | See the [[Carpet Cleaning FAQ|Full FAQ]] | ||
| − | |||
=Repair & Maintenance= | =Repair & Maintenance= | ||
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# Brush vigorously until pile stands up. | # Brush vigorously until pile stands up. | ||
# Leave to dry | # Leave to dry | ||
| + | |||
==Fraying or shedding edges== | ==Fraying or shedding edges== | ||
===To stop deterioration=== | ===To stop deterioration=== | ||
| Line 146: | Line 168: | ||
# cut away stragglers | # cut away stragglers | ||
# apply [[Adhesive|latex glue]] to backing, eg Copydex. | # apply [[Adhesive|latex glue]] to backing, eg Copydex. | ||
| − | + | ||
| + | [[Adhesive|PVA]] also works, but dries semi-rigid, so must be kept to the backing and base of pile only to maintain a soft feel for bare feet. | ||
| + | |||
===To repair=== | ===To repair=== | ||
| − | * | + | * Cut out a rectangle where damaged |
| − | * | + | * Cut a replacement piece of carpet from somewhere inconspicuous, eg under a sofa (or of course from stored spare carpet if you have some) |
| − | * | + | * Align the lay of the pile of the new patch with the carpet |
* Fix patch to trimmed damaged area using [[Tapes|carpet tape]] | * Fix patch to trimmed damaged area using [[Tapes|carpet tape]] | ||
* Or glue patch in place using [[Adhesive|latex]] | * Or glue patch in place using [[Adhesive|latex]] | ||
* Apply [[Adhesive|latex]] to all cut edges to prevent fraying. | * Apply [[Adhesive|latex]] to all cut edges to prevent fraying. | ||
| − | * If you don't want the carpet to stick to the floor or underlay | + | * If you don't want the carpet to stick to the floor or underlay, put a piece of cloth flat under the cutout hole, gluing it in place, and glue the new patch to it. |
| + | |||
=See Also= | =See Also= | ||
Revision as of 20:19, 10 September 2010
Carpet Types
Backing types
Foam rubber
- feels soft underfoot
- doesn't need separate 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
- Such carpets benefit from underlay
Woven plastic
- Synthetic equivalents to hessian are unaffected by cleaning
Felt
- a low cost backing
Sheet plastic
- waterproof, found on bathroom carpets
Bitumen
Backing used for commercial carpet tiles
Pile materials
Wool
- Generates static, causing wear
- Costs more and performs worse than wool/synthetic blend
- Soaks up stains
- A historic option
Synthetic
- Generates static, causing wear
- Fairly impervious to staining
- Good option for business premises
Wool/synthetic blend
- The right blend more or less eliminates static production, extending carpet life
- 70/30 and 80/20 are quality mixtures
- Best option for luxury carpets
Pile production methods
Axminster & Wilton
- Much used luxury carpet types.
- These are manufacturing methods, not brand names, so may be made in any location.
Cut pile
Carpets made by punching cut pile through the backing are much cheaper, but don't last as long. Very popular carpet type.
Cord
- A robust low cost carpet type
- feels rough and stiff
- corrugated appearance
- mainly used in business premises
- not recommended for home use
Carpet tiles
- If one tile gets stained or damaged, its easily replaced.
- Much used in business premises
- Stuck down with tackifier. This makes for quick tile removal any time.
Shag
- Luxury carpet type popular in the 70s.
- Now superseded.
Flotex
Brand of fully waterproof antimicrobial carpets.
Quality
Quality of carpet depends on
- Pile density
- the more the better, generally
- Pile material mixture
- 70/30 and 80/20 are usually best
- How pile is attached to backing
- Woven piles like Axminster & Wilton are more durable than punched cut pile.
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. Not suitable for use without an underlay.
How to fit grip rod
- Fit grip rod all round the perimeter, attaching it about 7mm from the wall. The angled edge goes toward the wall.
- Nail it to wooden 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. Where the carpet meets the walls its simply cut in situ.
Tacks
- cheapie method
- results in uneven carpet edges
- small chance of a tack impaling a wire or pipe
- The thin point of carpet tacks bends over in the wood, thus resisting pullout
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
Tough double sided tape is occasionally used to lay carpet. (I wouldnt be confident about getting a good result with it.)
Tackifier
- Apply by brush or roller
- Let it set before laying the carpet
Carpet Stretching
This is one topic that tends to bring up opposing points of view at times, whether stretching is necessary or not. Lots of people lay carpet sucessfully without stretching it.
Carpet and Downlighters
Mixing downlighting with carpets is a recipe for poor energy efficiency. The darker the carpet, the worse the result.
Carpet in Vehicles
- Vehicle carpet is prone to condensation
- Hessian backing does not last as well when damp is enountered, but is fine if it stays dry.
- Synthetic pile & backing is most tolerant of damp.
- Bathroom carpet is the domestic type closest to car carpets. Its waterproof.
- The author doesn't know if original vehicle carpets have any fire retardants added to improve safety.
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. A permeable backing is best for historic masonry floors with no dpc, as it permits evaporation from the floor.
Carpet Cleaning
See the Full FAQ
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 the backing and base of pile only to maintain a soft feel for bare feet.
To repair
- Cut out a rectangle where damaged
- Cut a replacement piece of carpet from somewhere inconspicuous, eg under a sofa (or of course from stored spare carpet if you have some)
- Align the lay of the pile of the new patch with the carpet
- 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.
- If you don't want the carpet to stick to the floor or underlay, put a piece of cloth flat under the cutout hole, gluing it in place, and glue the new patch to it.
See Also
- Carpet Cleaning FAQ
- Carpet cleaning thread on ukdiy
- Underlay review
- Wiki Contents
- Wiki Subject Categories