Carpet underlay, what to get?
- Thread starter Lisapete
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Never laid paper under underlay on old Victorian boards or brand new chipboard and not moen a fitter do it in years think it is out of fashion! I've also never taped the joints in underlay or stapled any where other than the outside of the room.
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- 14 Jun 2004
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For the underlay we used double sided tape, along the floor where the joints will be then stuck the underlay on top.
Thickness needs to be correct this is classed as matching carpet with underlay the same with type of carpet you choose and the room type.
If your fitter seize all this doesn't matter then he's not great at his job.
That sounds like a right faff I don't know any pros who would go that far!
Thickness of underlay has nothing to do with thickness of carpet it's all about comfort underfoot and durability as for certain carpets for certain rooms again that's a nonsense you can put any carpet anywhere it will just wear differently!
- Joined
- 14 Jun 2004
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- 17,570
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- Newcastle U/T
Really? Suppose it depends on the room tbh.
Took us all of 10mins
Took us all of 10mins
My carpet fitter mate is laughing his a** off.
You know what carpet grippers are right and how they work?
But i guess none of this matters how thick carpet and underlay is plus what does it matter if got to cut few inches out of doors leaving big gaps on the other side.
Depending on room is due to wear and walking paths this is what true carpet fitters will take into account when doing a job and suggesting carpet types.
I guess the direction the carpet faces doesn't matter either
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Eh?
Then whatever 'pro' you know shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a carpet installation job.
Off course you need to tape down the underlay to the smooth edge (or gripper rods) and joins with adjacent underlay. Mind you, I'm talking concrete floors here. Wooden flooring you just tack it to the floor, taking no more than 10mins.
I employ 3 carpet/vinyl layers as part of my business. If I catch them just flat laying the underlay I'll make them rip the carpet up and redo. Not that they'd be so stupid in the first place.
With underlay, yes it is. It's so easy that literally anyone can do it. You need a box cutter, staple tack/tape and 2 brain cells.
I don't mean to tell war stories, but I took some carpeting contracts on when I didn't have a carpet layer (long story) and literally had to go on Youtube to learn how to install carpet. Think I mentioned it here a few months back. I watch a few videos, went out the next day and carpet'd a whole house, joins, power stretching, threshold strips/naplock bars and all. Took me bloody ages but it really isn't that hard. You don't even need all the fancy tools. A knee kicker, Stanley knife, bolster and heat bond tape/iron is all you need to pretty much install any carpet in any house. Obviously things such as power stretchers or wall cutters can help smooth things but it's quite simple.
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Yes, same underlay to stairs. Just make sure there's a slight overhang on the nose of each step.
As for the second part of your question, it doesn't matter. Underlay is actually quite forgiving, I use off cuts and bits and pieces from here and there all the time. Just make sure it's all nicely tucked together and tacked down.
I had an argument with a carpet salesman about 11mm cloud9 that I have had in my house for 7yrs.
He says its crap and not fit for purpose as its deeper than the gripper rods therefore the carpet that goes on top will not grip.
I can see his point but in reality my carpets have gripped pretty well for the last 7yrs.
Who am I to argue with him he's been selling carpets for over 40yrs. He then went on to give me advise on selling my renovation project.
"If your selling it why are you putting carpet in"
Muppet