Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering 1 Oct 31, 2009 10:09 am Hi Ash, I know you have addressed power stretchers and underlay before, so sorry for the repetition. Went to order our carpet yesterday, and we compared our initital choice to the Northstate Sensitex ones you recommended. We still preferred our original SDN choice- none of the patterns were to our taste, but managed it get on sale, $191 per lineal metre. It is usually $252. The Sensitex ones were about the same price. When I spoke about the laying, and that we would want it laid with a power stretcher (and with architecturally smooth edge!), they said they weren't used much anymore as they can crack the walls, or shift the plaster. The sales person was an ex carpet layer with 30 years experience, and said that power stretchers were used when houses had high skirting boards, but then they still commonly got damaged. What do you think about this? I didn't know enough to discuss it, so we just bought the carpet, and figured we'd find out more first and discuss it again before the laying- which isn't until December. Then I requested Prime underlay, as per your recommendation and was told that that is good for stairs? I asked what they would recommend, and it was Bridgestone platinum. Thoughts? We are only laying carpet in the bedrooms of our house. Again, Ash- sorry to bombard you with carpet questions! Thanks, Caroline Re: Ash- help please! 2Oct 31, 2009 11:55 am Just going to butt in here, before you get the legit reply from our resident expert & relate our experience. We had our carpets installed this year. 1. Our skirting boards are 75mm high 2. I asked for both power stretching & architectural smoothedge & got both without any hassles/excuses from the supplier 3. The 4 layers themselves said that I had done the right thing & that p/stretching was a superior installation. 4. No damage worth mentioning - they did a great job! My 2c worth. Just remembered that I was supposed to send a letter to the carpet company praising the work of the layers Better get on to it Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Ash- help please! 4Oct 31, 2009 6:08 pm Caroline, As you found, there is a real resistance from retailers & installers to powerstretching, for a number of reasons. They may throw at you all sorts of excuses or supposed reasons, but the main reason is its quicker to lay without one. The reasons he quoted is codswallop! A p/s does not cause damage if used correctly. As the $$ dictates the market these days, they don't want to spend the extra time. And as most layers don't even have a powerstretcher, it can be an uphill battle to get a good layer who uses a p/s as a matter of course. If you find one, let me know. As a consumer, you have the right to demand a quality lay according to Aust Standards. If more consumers stand up and do so, pressures would work to make good practices more common. PRIME is simply BEST! For bedroom carpets though, you can get away with lesser underlays. The next choice I would suggest (from the Bridgestone family) is Supreme Green. Its a little thicker than prime, and has more air in it, so a bit more spongy. Platinum is just a bit too thick (at 9.5mm) IMO. My main concern with underlays too thick is they are thicker than the gripper strip the carpet attaches to, which means it can bounce off and come loose. Also thicker spongy underlays can allow too much distortion of the carpets around heavy furniture legs. http://www.airstep.com.au/residential/s ... tions.aspx Thankyou so much 😀 I've decided on White on white for doors and trims, White on white 50% on ceiling and Mt buller for walls. Fingers crossed it will look OK 😀 2 7157 i had the my concreters concrete right up to the fence. I have pits all along my path, so the water tends to drain away from the house and into the pits. There's only one… 7 12767 All 3 items listed are defects and are of concern. Please seek qualified independent inspector and/or legal advice for your state. 1 8211 |