Posted by admin on 25 Aug 2008 12:55 am. Filed under
DIY.
A “how to install carpet stairs?” question usually occurs regarding two almost separate fronts: installing real carpeting and installing “carpet runners” or long rugs made especially for the purpose. Whereas actual carpeting requires some touch and premeasuring and cutting skills, runners are often designed with premeasured allowances and allow the wood or cement of whatever stairing to show on the edges. Needless to say, installing the runners is easiest of the tow, although both items need many of the same tools and principles for the installation.
Perhaps the most important aspect of installing either item is the need to physically “stretch” the fabric taut enough so that it will not bunch up or create any sort of dangerous or anomaly in the surface. This is hard to stress enough. Maintaining them rigidly in place is a close second to safety concerns because almost any slippage can result in some unfortunate events.
So one needs what is referred to as a “knee-kicker”, a tool that grabs the carpeting and allows a knee to forcefully kick the tool and thus stretch the fabric to a tight degree. This is easily enough done but cannot be stressed enough as to its importance. Mere hand tightening might look sufficient but it is plainly not.
The other aspect involves the correct measurement needed for the fit. Once the measurements are reasonably accurate, we can begin. Lying the carpeting down, one necessarily works uphill. Thankfully, one great benefit of this is that you will be working on a gentler surface for your knees. By stretching the fabric taut, we then use staples or floor tacks to secure the carpeting in place at the crotch, or the original perpendicular point at the front of the riser. Typically, the next batch of carpet nails go just under the lip of the stair, thus leading to the next level to be stretched and then secured. Stretch again, once on the next surface and fasten. From this point on, it is all in the details. Repeat as often as is necessary.
Posted by admin on 18 Aug 2008 12:55 am. Filed under
styles.
Carpet doesn’t have to come in the form of tiles.
Wall to wall bathroom carpets are a warm and splendid way to curl one’s toes into something soft and dry following a bath or shower. Padding onto a tile floor in the dead of night for some “constitutional” also cries loudly for some sort of alleviating floor, to relieve the cold damp tile feeling from freezing one’s feet in place. Wall to wall carpeting would seem to be a marvelous solution to this problem.
But, naturally, there are drawbacks. What one trades for true foot comfort one pays for in upkeep and the constant need to maintain a hygienic environment. The nooks and crannies of the fabric of carpeting is a virtual medium for bacterial growth. While it is possible to maintain hygiene, it requires a much oftener cleaning and with more stringent cleaners, specifically those dealing with bacteria in general.
But all things considered, if one is willing to go this extra mile in the care and cleaning of a wall to wall bathroom carpet, then the option can be absolutely delightful. It looks good, of course, it feels great and is a soft and warming surface onto which to alight from one’s bathing. For those people who have a minimum of traffic through their bathrooms, for example childless couples or singles, this feature might just be an awesome and far less tiring up keeping proposition. More traffic, however, will always mean more work and more cleaning. All in all, I love the idea but would shudder at the maintenance, when all is said and done.
Posted by admin on 10 Aug 2008 12:54 am. Filed under
styles ,
tiles.
Carpet tiles re squares or sections of carpeting that have a few advantages over almost any flooring. For one thing, they are virtually modular. What this means is that they are lighter and less bulky than the typical carpeting which comes in humongous rolls requiring literal cutting in the street or driveways outside. Furthermore, most carpet tiles don’t require adhering to any floor surface being somewhat stable by the nature of their size and underlying surface qualities. The other compelling attribute in their favor is the ability to lift out and replace worn or damaged tiles.
But carpet tiles are not the most durable solution, for obvious reasons. They do, in time, move around from constant use and like any fabric, they can change color and texture over a longer period of use. Truly, in the end the real benefit of carpet tiles is in their lower expense and lower labor requirement in the installation. As a long-term solution to flooring needs, carpet tiles have not yet net the stiff criterion called for there.
Just the same, if one wanted to damped the sound of footsteps on some well-travelled surface, or to soften the landings of children involved in a playroom, carpet tiles can be a quick and easily-assembled benefit. The fact that they look as good as carpet while being temporary is also a nice boost for their utility.