Carpet flooring is a large and often expensive element of apartment or house furnishing. Therefore, its purchase and installation must be quite well thought out. There are many factors to consider when laying carpet – from size and thickness to color and texture, but the most important thing is how and by whom it will be used? For example, a snow-white carpet will provide an amazing visual effect. However, in a place where small children or pets (dogs!) lead the way, it will be short-lived… The carpet will not only lose its charm, but it can be irreversibly soiled or damaged. On the other hand, the installation of a durable and easy-to-clean floor covering of utility class (office or display) will affect the aesthetics of the house or apartment.
To lay the carpet, remember that you need to buy it with a sufficient supply. It’s not just about the corners or nooks of a room or corridor, but also about connecting its individual pieces. The quality of the substrate is also important. Carpet is a bit like wallpaper, if it is thin and the floor is uneven, all imperfections will be reproduced on it.
Measure the room
This step is essential to budgeting and choosing a carpet you can afford. It is best to measure the width and length of the room at the widest points and multiply these values to get an approximate area in square meters. Thanks to this, you will be able to estimate the approximate price by multiplying this number by the price per square meter of the selected carpet.
Make the right choice
First of all, check whether it is not better to invest in a PVC floor covering? However, if you opt for carpet, keep in mind that high-traffic areas such as stairs or hallways will require a durable fiber, while bedrooms and living rooms can afford a softer material. The 80:20 blend of wool and nylon will provide a good balance of softness and durability. Some carpets will also last longer than others, so it may be worth investing in a better quality material. This will save you the expense of replacing a worn liner in the long run. Unfortunately, the cheapest (and thinnest) floor coverings are a very illusory saving. They wear out very quickly and are easily damaged by just moving heavy furniture.
Decide what to do with your old carpet?
It’s best to decide how to get rid of your old carpet in advance, as this can lead to problems. Contrary to appearances, “throwing it in the trash” may turn out to be problematic depending on the place of residence and the understanding of the housing community. Carpet is not ordinary waste, it is bulky/special waste and it may take some time for someone to pick it up. If the condition of the previous carpet is not bad (we replace it, for example, for purely aesthetic reasons), it is worth considering donating it to charity organizations or even to an animal shelter. Still a better idea than a landfill…
Empty the room
Remove all furniture from the room – you will need access to the entire floor. Then vacuum the old carpet to get rid of excess dust before removing it. When removing the carpet, the surface will get dirty anyway, so it’s better to save yourself the extra work.
Removal of damaged carpet
If the old carpet is damaged and, beyond any doubt, it is only suitable for garbage, it is worth making it easier for yourself to take it out and cut it into smaller pieces right away. They can then be rolled up and carried away in parts. This will not only prove to be simpler, but will solve many problems with its permanent disposal.
Remove the backing
Do not leave the old undercoat, because it will be worn out and can only generate problems in the future. A good backing extends the life of your carpet. If there are traces of glue or tape – remove them. If it’s staples, pliers and a flathead screwdriver will come in handy. Then, as with the rug, it’s a good idea to cut the backing into sections.
Laying a new carpet
In small rooms, you can try to lay the carpet in one piece, while in larger rooms it may be necessary to connect it from panels. In this case, the panels should be overlapped (2-3 cm wide). The overlaps must be laid either on the glue or on the floor tape. When you arrange all the panels in relation to each other, use a long metal ruler or strip to cut them in the middle of the overlap, and throw away the cut off allowance. When it comes to walls or corners, we first cut off the carpet with a slight allowance, which can then be cut locally if necessary. Cutting holes for radiator pipes or other floor installations will bring the most effort. This is the hardest part of the job – if we make a mistake here, or if we have to cut a piece of carpet again and glue it in, or just accept the failure…
Summary
With these steps in mind, laying your new carpet can be a fun experience, provided everything is properly planned and prepared in advance. Choose the right carpet, measure the room, remove the old carpet and underlayment, repair the floor and then lay it as described above. Or you can simply use the services of professionals. Also, don’t forget to vacuum your carpet regularly to keep it fresh and looking longer.
