Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering 1 May 25, 2010 8:19 pm Hi guys! I have found a carpet from Carpet Choice which is a Godfrey Hirst Carpet, we have found an almost identical product from Carpet Country which is also Godfrey Hirst. They are both Charcoal in colour (eaxact match in colour) they are both cut pile twist SDN. If anthing one may be a slight bit fluffier (but I am not sure I might be imagining it!) But obviously both have different names. We are getting 33BLM. Carpet Country have quoted $195BLM on super cushion underlay which apparently is Bridgestone Rubber orange. Carpet Choice have quoted $198.50BLM with Dunlop Foam Comfortchoice Underlay The carpetchoice guy is telling me that his Dunlop underlay is better than the Bridgestone Carpet Country are offering and that he can do the same price if thats is what I want. ie- 'if you want the **** stuff I can do it for you too at that price' I am so confused about underlays.... everyone is always telling me something different. I read so much on here about Prime and how even though it is commercial it is better but then the guys in the carpet shop can't understand why I would want this product. If I do this right I should be able to get a good price seeing as they are offering the exact same carpet but the bargaining becomes hard when we talk underlay. Can someone tell me which is the best deal/underlay. How can I make sure they are giving me their best possible price? Help please Michelle Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32574 Re: Help from the carpet/underlay experst please!! :) 2May 26, 2010 2:02 am Michelle, Sometimes too much agonising can do ya head in! From how I read the options presented, there is a price difference of $115.50 The important thing is that you choose a carpet you like that's right for you. It amazes me how much some people worry about saving a few dollars! Now in both cases, they have different names for underlays that correlate to underlays with specs published by Dunlop and Bridgestone. The 'orange rubber' will be the same as Bridgestone Platinum. The Dunlop will probably be the same as one of the Springtred range. Ask the exact thickness of their foam, and that will correlate to either Springtred Extra or Ultimate. Each supplier will obviously say their preferred underlay is better than the other one! The reality is, both are average underlays. Underlays rated "commercial" (Prime or Excellay) that they are so happy to say is not necessary are an investment in quality that lasts. They provide a firmer, more dense bed to support the carpet, and this can add many years to the integrity of the carpet installation. On these underlays, carpets are much more inclined to last without problems. Lesser underlays will be softer under foot and allow more movement of the carpet. This may be nice and why they are so commonly used, but there is the downside that more movement = more potential problems, especially if they are not laid as tight as they should be. Here's my take on it, as I am inspecting carpets on a daily basis, and see the results of carpets that are not laid tight and on cheaper or average domestic underlays.... a new domestic carpet installation commonly does not last more than a few years before problems start to develop. Rucking, bubbling, loose at edges, seams coming apart etc all many years before the potential lifespan of the carpet, and all because of springy underlay was used and/or carpets were not laid tight. So all the warranties have gone out the window, because manufacturers generally don't warranty carpets not laid correctly. People live with shabby looking carpets or pay to have it fixed (if possible) or replace it well before its potential lifespan all because they didn't have the knowledge or foresight to make better choices. Suppliers sell carpets based on average choices by non-discerning consumers. Better options are available, but suppliers generally don't offer these. I make these points so that consumers can make INFORMED CHOICES. Then at least they have reasonable expectations from their choices. Its incredibly wasteful that mediocre choices prevail, which is why I make a big deal about choosing those that last. But that's me and my values. You are choosing for you. If you want carpets to last for many years without undue problems, its a no brainer.... get the best 'commercial' underlay. If you don't care about longevity, the lesser underlays will be fine. Simple really! Ash. Re: Help from the carpet/underlay experst please!! :) 3May 26, 2010 8:36 am Thanks Ash, I have read enough of your posts on here to have swayed me towards your choice of commercial underlay. Your reasons are very valid. royalblue Michelle, Sometimes too much agonising can do ya head in! From how I read the options presented, there is a price difference of $115.50 The important thing is that you choose a carpet you like that's right for you. It amazes me how much some people worry about saving a few dollars! Ash. I am not worried about the price difference. I just want to know which supplier was offering me a good Underlay. I was under the impression that Carpet Country's orange was what you call Prime (from reading other posts) but obviously not. I was told the next step up is Blue- is this Prime? I want to get Prime or Excellay but they seem to all call them different things royalblue Michelle, Now in both cases, they have different names for underlays that correlate to underlays with specs published by Dunlop and Bridgestone. The 'orange rubber' will be the same as Bridgestone Platinum. The Dunlop will probably be the same as one of the Springtred range. Ask the exact thickness of their foam, and that will correlate to either Springtred Extra or Ultimate. Each supplier will obviously say their preferred underlay is better than the other one! The reality is, both are average underlays. Ash. I have a sample here of the Carpet Choice Dunlop Comfortchoice and it is 11mm thick. Their next step up is called Springtread Ultimate and would increase my cost by $10BLM What thickness should I be after if I am wanting Prime or Excellay? Thanks again Michelle Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32574 Re: Help from the carpet/underlay experst please!! :) 4May 26, 2010 9:17 am shellb78 What thickness should I be after if I am wanting Prime or Excellay? See, now this does my head in. Why should the customer have to check all this stuff rather than getting a straight answer from the so-called experts? These carpet chains that change names around to confuse people really tick me off. (Sorry Michelle, I have no idea about underlay thickness BTW). Re: Help from the carpet/underlay experst please!! :) 5May 26, 2010 10:04 am http://www.airstep.com.au/commercial/sp ... tions.aspx Prime is 7.6mm thick and 3000g weight. 5 star rating. Perfect. There are some underlays made for certain stores in orange, that are the same as their green or platinum. This is a step down from Prime. 4 star rating. OK. Yeah it can be confusing when the names change for stores. I've TRIED a million times to cut through the crap and identify what is best. But the questions keep coming! Re: Help from the carpet/underlay experst please!! :) 6May 26, 2010 10:23 am For foams see http://www.dunlopflooring.com.au/Reside ... -Range.asp This is the residential Springtred range. You can see the physical properties in a PDF file. Then navigate to COMMERCIAL range at the top and click on Excellay. See its physical properties. Commercial products are always lower and more dense/heavy, and naturally better, but not as springy/soft. Re: Help from the carpet/underlay experst please!! :) 7May 27, 2010 5:36 pm It's always the same rule, like Ash says. The lower and denser the better. Carpet in airports etc has NO underlay (I am sitting in Sydney Airport right now and there is no underlay under this carpet). Hi l plan to install a self adhesive vinyl plank floor. l first need to attach masonite boards underlay to by plywood subfloor of my house. What size nails and how many… 0 8371 Jimbo73 I would use heaps of adhesive on each sheet and screw rather than nail. use as many as you like cheers Simeon 1 4073 1 11005 |