Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering 1 May 06, 2007 8:21 pm 1. Make sure that the carpet has been graded by an independent carpet grading program such as the Australian Carpet Classification Scheme, the Woolmark/Woolblendmark Scheme, or the Fernmark Scheme.
2. When comparing prices make sure you are comparing apples with apples. Most carpets are priced by the broadloom metre (measures 1 metre by 3.67 metre), but some floor products retailers also price by the square metre. If you are comparing carpet prices to other flooring products – vinyl, ceramic, timber, laminate, etc – remember all these products are priced by the square metre. 3. Ask your retailer about the type of underlay best suited to the carpet and your installation. A good underlay will improve foot comfort, absorb crushing forces, overcome minor imperfections in the floor, and improve thermal and acoustic properties. 4. Talk to the retailer about how the carpet will be installed and ask them to provide a installation plan. Where possible, seams should be away from windows where falling light may exacerbate the joins; seams should be avoided in high traffic walk ways such as corridors and doors; and if carpet is being installed in joining rooms, the carpet’s direction of manufacturing should be the same throughout the house. 5. Make sure you keep record of the manufacturer, the grading registration number, the type of underlay, any warranty information and a small piece of unused carpet. 6. Consider buying a little extra carpet as a reserve to replace damaged areas. 7. If you are carpeting stairs, think about buying enough carpet to recover the stairs in a few years time. On stairs, carpet wears faster than in other areas around the home. 8. On the day the carpet is being installed, and for a day or so after, open as many doors and windows as possible. The carpet needs to ventilate and breathe for a few days after it is installed. 9. If you don’t already have one, buy a good vacuum cleaner. Not only will it remove abrasive soil, (which abrade the base of the carpet pile), but modern cleaners with multi-filter systems will safely remove the finest dust particles. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: 9 Tips for Buying and Owning Carpet 3May 09, 2007 2:58 am Michelle, NO extra stars for guessing I'd be along! (You've got plenty already anyway)!
If I can add my comments to your numeric points; 1. YES, and I am a strong believer in choosing carpets that are rated 'Extra Heavy Duty Domestic' and/or 'Heavy Duty Commercial' irrespective of its service application. Lesser quality carpets are a false economy. 2. Actually its 3.66m (12ft) broadloom. 3. Yep. Note that for most applications, a dense firm underlay provides for better carpet service than thicker spongy types. There are certain carpet applications where no underlay is best (like heavy commercial areas or where wheel-chairs are used). 5. Sure, AND make sure you maintain and service your carpets according to the warranty terms. This means having them professionally cleaned annually or AT LEAST every two years, by the hot-water extraction method. Not doing so may void your warranty. Some manufacturers will recommend a network of qualified service technicians. Choose very selectively and avoid cheap carpet cleaners like the plague! NOTE: on WOOL carpets, don't use any chemicals unless they are approved by the Woolsafe organisation. 6. Good idea, BUT the spare carpet should be exposed to some normal use. Otherwise, if patched after a year or three, the patch will be noticeably different to the surrounding area. Having pieces with the edges bound as occasional mats may be the way to go. 8. Ventilation should continue until all odours have dissipated. 9. Yes, BUT what is a 'good vacuum cleaner'?..... The answer to this will require a detailed explanation (later), but to offer a few simple tips..... Upright vacuums with brushrolls to beat the carpet are by far superior at getting out embedded soil. HEPA filtration is ESSENTIAL (high efficiency particulate air filtration), OR a modern well-designed ducted vacuum fitted with lots of 'air-watts' and a TURBOCAT turbine head. Some types to consider; Dyson DC14 Sebo uprights (sometimes labelled Kleenmaid) Filter Queen 10. The points you missed, Michelle!.... Plan your preventative maintenance strategies from day 1. This means every entrance to the building should have large effective doormats and/or other means to stop and prevent soiling from entering the building. These mats must be emptied and cleaned regularly. Properly implimented, this can cut your maintenance time inside by up to 75%. (prevention is better, cheaper, easier... than cure)! It is reasonable to spent $100-200> for quality matting. Also, keep the hard floors as clean as possible at all times. Carpets become soiled when dust and contaminants migrate from the hard floors. Finally, learn proper 'first-aid' skills to manage spills & accidents, and call a professional carpet cleaner for advice if not sure about any situation. Much more to it that that, but Michelle's info is pretty good! Ash. Re: 9 Tips for Buying and Owning Carpet 4May 09, 2007 8:48 am 2. seeing we're nitpicking it's actually 3.6576
& yes I also thought it was pretty good Michelle. Peter Clarkson - AusDesign Australia www.ausdesign.com.au This information is intended to provide general information only. It does not purport to be a comprehensive advice. Re: 9 Tips for Buying and Owning Carpet 5Feb 21, 2010 12:50 am Such a good thread for carpet-know-nothings like me, good on you all Choosing a carpet is SO OVERWHELMING! I'll definitely be asking for the good stuff for underlay. If you do spend up big on underlay then if you want to replace your carpet and the underlay is of sound quality, can you get away with using it again for the new carpet? Re: 9 Tips for Buying and Owning Carpet 6Feb 21, 2010 1:06 am Vundaful! If you do spend up big on underlay then if you want to replace your carpet and the underlay is of sound quality, can you get away with using it again for the new carpet? Some people do it, but the answer is NO. A new carpet should be layed on new underlay. Australian Standard 2455.1:2007 states that underlay should have the same or greater life expectancy as the carpet (or sumthin like that... couldn't be bothered lookin it up). If say the carpet was changed for some reason within the first year or two maybe it'd be ok, but its best to lay new carpet on new underlay. Ash. Re: 9 Tips for Buying and Owning Carpet 7Feb 21, 2010 12:21 pm Mills can, and do, make carpet down as low as 3.60 after the salvage is cut off. Work on 3.60 and you won't be dissappointed. On the ACCS ratings - It is an industry funded rating scheme - so personally I don't get too excited about the ratings. If it was 100% independent, then I would, but I have seen too many ratings that are just ridiculous. I have seen carpets with commercial ratings that are not even good enough to go in a house - you just shrug your head and ask how...... Just be careful with building stability during construction, that is when the structure may be weakened, refer to your engineering drawings for stability methodology. 1 6196 Thank you so much. This has been very helpful. We definitely wish to settle and get these people out of our life. They are trying to charge us interest on late… 7 9356 |