The choice of a laying method depends on many factors. Among others we can name a carpet type, a room designation, also floor condition. Nowadays the following methods of a carpet erection are used:

Use of a double-sided adhesive tape (Scotch tape).

According to the specialists’ opinions, this method is used in 70% of cases, though it requires a careful preliminary preparation of a floor. Like any other method this one, being the most popular, has its advantages and disadvantages. To advantages we can refer the fact that dismantling of a carpet, laid on a double-sided adhesive tape, is very easy and takes not much time. Besides, you do not need to prepare the surface for laying, removing a former material and a glue (speaking about glue methods of installation). For those who like to change their interior frequently, this variant is perfect. Therewith, as we have said, a laying on an adhesive tape is used when the system of a heat-insulated floor is used in a room. To disadvantages we should refer the fact that an adhesive tape can deform because of a high humidity or a temperature drop.

A straight sticking with a complete fixation to the floor (more often is used in rooms with a large area).

For the last time people treat this method as an outdated one. However, professionals do not share this opinion. Certainly this method is not intended for an apartment where a regular change of interior starts together with the release of newest fashion trends. But heartbreaking stories about the problems of removal of old glue can be a little bit exaggerated. Problems arise if glue was put unevenly on a rough and dirty surface. Besides, during the correct operation no unpleasant changes should happen with glue, especially intended for carpets.

A double sticking.

The so-called undercoat with thickness of 5-15 mm (felt, polyurethane foam or other insulating materials) is first glued to the floor, then a carpet is laid directly on an undercoat. An undercoat performs a thermal and sound-proof function what is really necessary in conditions of a usual apartment house. Of course this method is not acceptable if you have heat-insulated floor. The quality of an undercoat is one of the most important factors. It should not be crumpled, cluttered or wet.

Glueless method.

Laying on grippers (special toothed slats, fixed over the perimeter of a room) is meant here. In this case we deal with a carpet elasticity. With some special instruments a carpet is stretched and fixed on slats located over the perimeter of a room. When changing a carpet you can leave the grippers and even an undercoat. If a stretch is executed properly, defects of a floor surface will be less visible and a carpet perfectly straight. Thus, it’s not necessary to sweat over the floor finishing; a neatly clean surface is enough. However, when a toothed strip is installed incorrect you can damage a carpet edge, that’s why the responsible workers should be very professional and careful.

Laying step by step

Further we will talk about commonly used method of laying – on a double-sided scotch.

Laying direction.

One of the workers’ tasks is to make sure that a pile direction is the same in the whole room. Thereby a laying, as a rule, is made “from the direction of light”, i.e. from a window in the direction of pile. Location of light sources is especially important in case when a long pile or raised covering is used. At such conditions it’s necessary not just to perform a laying from the window (it is valid in the day time), but also to take care of an equal light distribution in nighttime (for instance, to use ceiling lamps not creating the contrast drops of light and shadow). Professional workers always pay attention to it; otherwise even the most luxurious texture can look less impressive and lose visually its relief.

If you work with a patterned carpet, different variants of installation are possible – everything will depend on room configuration and dimensions. Sometimes it’s easier to lay a roll from the center (in angled, round, multiangular rooms). Very often the installation is done from the door or from the window. Anyway the team of workers surely consults with a customer or a designer. We strongly recommend considering the professionals’ opinion.

A carpet cutting.

You can cut a carpet with a help of a special knife (or scissors) and a setting rule for edge cutting. When using an unprofessional instrument edges become uneven and, besides, nap can be damaged and fall out.

Laying on a scotch.

A double-sided scotch is glued to the floor (over the perimeter of a room or in the shape of a web with cells 50×50 cm), not removing the upper protective film. It’s necessary to remember that a floor surface under the scotch must be degreased, dry and clean. A carpet (very often it consists of two pieces), cut off with a small reserve (up to 5 cm from all sides), is laid on the surface in such a way that its edges go up the walls.

Jointing.

Jointing is a very laborious process which requires professionalism. Carpet pieces are laid with an overlap (therewith a pattern step is surely taken into account). Then the place of joint is pressed with a setting rule and both pieces are cut, but edges should be “welded” with a help of thermal tape and a special iron. Then an upper protective film is removed from the scotch and a carpet is glued (there are some techniques of gluing). At the final stage you cut with a special knife carpet excess over the perimeter of a room. In case if you are going to use skirting, then you should step5 cm from the wall.

Workers glue, screw, nail, erect skirting on guide ways only in case if it was included in the contract terms with a customer beforehand. It must be said that for the last time there are two opposite in their essence tendencies: to do skirting maximum high (up to 20 cm) or do without it. Anyhow the decorative effect can be very interesting. Skirting modification with a special gap, into which a covering strip is inserted, is very handy. It enables to solve the problem of color and handle at once: the final skirting and a carpet perfectly correspond to each other. As for the choice of the material, it is up to a customer. Choose wood, plastic or metal considering the room features.

Complications are possible.

The quality laying is determined according to some main factors:

1. The covering does not “bubble” and represents itself a perfect plane surface.
2. Joint points are not visible at all (there are no thin places, dropped out fibers, a pattern is exactly overlapped, pieces edges are tightly adjusted).
3. Pile direction is equal.
4. Carpet edges are even.
5. A carpet is not soiled with glue and sealant.

Blisters can arise, for instance, because of a wrong stretch of a carpet during a glueless laying. During the gluing erection blister can be as a result of high humidity (if the floor in your house is initially wet, you should dry it well before the beginning of works). Unattractive blisters appear while uneven gluing.

Pattern shift and visible joints usually appear after improper cutting. At the qualified work it’s enough to run over the joint point with a special roller – the joint will become not visible at all. If a pile direction in two adjoining pieces is different, it means that layers made a mistake (for justice sake it must be said that such cases happen very seldom). Careful finishing of edges and cleanness of a carpet is a sign of a qualified work.

Posted in . Author: Mr. Carpet.