Difference between revisions of "Carpet"
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=Carpet Types= | =Carpet Types= | ||
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==Backing types== | ==Backing types== | ||
| − | + | ===Foam rubber=== | |
| − | + | * feels soft underfoot | |
| − | ** non-shrinking | + | * does not need underlay |
| − | + | * non-shrinking | |
| − | + | * 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 | ||
| Line 28: | Line 30: | ||
Wilton | Wilton | ||
| − | Axminster & Wilton are manufacturing methods, not brand names. | + | Axminster & Wilton are manufacturing methods, not brand names. Tey are therefore available made in any location. |
Flotex | Flotex | ||
| Line 38: | Line 40: | ||
Quality of carpet depends on | Quality of carpet depends on | ||
* Pile density | * Pile density | ||
| − | ** the more | + | ** the more the better |
| − | * | + | * Pile material mixture |
| − | ** 70/30 and 80/20 | + | ** 70/30 and 80/20 are excellant mixtures, giving the lowest wear rates |
** 100% synthetic can generate static in summer | ** 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 | ||
| Line 49: | Line 53: | ||
Beware of the travelling sellers that show good quality specimens then fit cheaper carpet, claiming its what you ordered and paid for. | Beware of the travelling sellers that show good quality specimens then fit cheaper carpet, claiming its what you ordered and paid for. | ||
==Used== | ==Used== | ||
| + | Choose clean carpet only. Used carpet can be cleaned, but cleaning may fail to remove all stains, and general dirt can hide stains. | ||
==Offcuts== | ==Offcuts== | ||
=Carpet fitting= | =Carpet fitting= | ||
| − | * | + | * Gripper rod |
** Method of choice for most carpet fitting jobs | ** Method of choice for most carpet fitting jobs | ||
| − | * | + | * Tacks |
** cheapie method | ** cheapie method | ||
** results in uneven carpet edges | ** results in uneven carpet edges | ||
** small chance of tack impaling a wire or pipe | ** small chance of tack impaling a wire or pipe | ||
| − | * | + | * Stair rods |
| + | ** a known risk factor for stair falls | ||
| − | * | + | * Double sided carpet tape |
| − | * | + | |
| + | * Adhesive | ||
| − | + | Stretching is not needed for most domestic carpets | |
| − | |||
| Line 111: | Line 117: | ||
Pick a non-shrink backing | Pick a non-shrink backing | ||
| − | Waterproof backing for suspended timber floors | + | Waterproof backing is best for suspended timber floors. Permeable backing is best for old masonry floors with no dpc, as it permits evaporation from the floor. |
| − | |||
| − | Permeable backing for masonry floors with no dpc | ||
| Line 121: | Line 125: | ||
=Repair & Maintenance= | =Repair & Maintenance= | ||
==Areas of flattened pile== | ==Areas of flattened pile== | ||
| − | Spray with water. Brush vigorously until pile stands up. Leave to dry | + | # Spray with water. |
| − | + | # Brush vigorously until pile stands up. | |
| − | + | # Leave to dry | |
==Fraying or shedding edges== | ==Fraying or shedding edges== | ||
===To stop deterioration=== | ===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=== | ===To repair=== | ||
* cut out a rectangle of damage | * cut out a rectangle of damage | ||
| Line 141: | Line 146: | ||
Carpet cleaning thread on ukdiy | Carpet cleaning thread on ukdiy | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Special:Allpages|Wiki Contents]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Special:Categories|Wiki Subject Categories]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Floorcoverings]] | ||
Revision as of 13:17, 29 April 2007
Carpet Types
Backing types
Foam rubber
- feels soft underfoot
- does not need underlay
- non-shrinking
- 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. Tey 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.
Offcuts
Carpet fitting
- Gripper rod
- Method of choice for most carpet fitting jobs
- Tacks
- cheapie method
- results in uneven carpet edges
- small chance of tack impaling a wire or pipe
- Stair rods
- a known risk factor for stair falls
- Double sided carpet tape
- Adhesive
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 is most tolerant of damp.
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 old 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