1/

Underlays:

Obviously, having over 40 years of experience in installations and having taken-up of all types of pre-loved floorcoverings, we have learnt what underlays stand up to the riggers of foot traffic impacts and time, because of this experience we currently only recommend four (4) main types of underlay.

We highly recommend underlays (a) and (b) for usage in areas with Light~Heavy DOMESTIC traffic.

Underlay (c or d), would be our recommendation if you are going to install your floorcoverings in a High commercial traffic area and/or would like a slightly firmer, but still retain that luxurious soft underfoot feel. This type of underlay is sometimes installed incorrectly. If using this type underlay in conjunction with Smoothedging, you should ALWAYS use this underlay to at least the Thickness of the smoothedging or you will have an unsightly Step-Up line (because of the height different), using a lesser thickness underlay will causes any furniture (that is sitting atop the smoothedge) to lean away from the Wall. So, It is always highly recommend to use this type of underlay the same height or thicker (remember these softer Underlay will sink at the point of furniture contact).

Underlay with the Hair/Felt type are long standing traditional underlays, these underlays will serve you well, however , be aware that this type is known for their firmness once the floorcoverings has bedded in, so it will will NOT give you as SOFT underfoot feel as the above types.

The choice is relatively simple, either you want a Soft Luxuriousness or Firm underfoot feel !

NB: If underlays type a~c have been installed, when moving furniture after a long period of time, you most likely would want to remove the indentations left by furniture.

 If so, follow these simple steps;

A. First: Clean any dust or dirt that may have accumulated in the area with a vacuum.    B. Second: Depending on the carpet; (should work on most situations)

Either pour a little clean, moderately warm water into the indentation (Not to hot as it may affect the colour of your carpet), this method will get the moisture into the carpet and Underlay Faster ! Or by simply being patent and using a good steam iron with a clean damp cloth (preferably White) placed atop your floorcoverings for as long as it takes for the steam to penetrate into the underlay, more time may be needed if a heavy object was atop the carpet for a long time. Using a fork to lift the pile, and carpet slightly should assist the process.

C. Third, if the underlay does not return to it's original height, give it a day or two then repeat step B. If the above steps are NOT successful the only other method remaining will be, to pull back (take-up) the carpet in this area or cut through the section (if double bonded) and replace the piece of underlay (this should be performed my a competent installer). Other than the abode their is little else you can do as sometimes certain underlays will not return to there original height.

2/

Joins:

Natural Floorcoverings can be joined side-to-side, by using a traditional sewing method or heat bonding, it is not highly recommended to joined this type of floorcovering end-to-end (called a cross join), simply put, this would be like cutting a knitted jumper in half and trying to rejoin it, even though this type of join can be preformed reasonably well, it takes considerable time to diligently perform this type of join, so we do not recommend it especially with the flatter weaves.

Although we endeavour to make all joins as invisible as possible, in some cases they may still be slightly apparent especially if they are sewn (we no longer join our 'natural floorcoverings' this way unless requested).

It is best to plan the Layout of the Runs so that the Joins are in the most unobtrusive places as well as out of heavy traffic paths.

3/

Quantities and Estimates:

As far as our woven Natural Floorcoverings are concerned the majority of these are manufactured and sold in 4 metre wide runs.

So, when calculating a budget for a room or area of natural floorcoverings, remember you have to purchase our floorcoverings in 4 metre width runs, what this means is you will have to allow for the purchase of a series of 4 metre wide runs that should to be joined side to side to cover the entire area of you home or Project.

4/

Wastage and Offcuts:

Now, this term is often misunderstood and used incorrectly.

Wastage is defined as unusable material that falls outside of the area to be installed.

Offcuts are usable material that falls outside of the area to be installed, they however are a part of the materials purchased all installations, because the area being installed is never the exact same size as the materials needed to cover it.

Wastage and Offcuts will occur with carpet and underlay as well as other materials, as a general rule this extra material is usually never used unless it is allocated for use in stairs, fills or mats.

Repairs, when ordering it is a good idea to purchase a little extra floorcoverings as you will usually never get an exact colour match from one batch to another, by keeping as much as possibly in case of Damage by Misadventure or Negligence or simply repairs needed from wear & tear (store offcuts in a Cool Dry place).

Obviously the most economical installation is the one with the least wastage. You should always be advised and given the final choice of the placement of joins & type of installation.

5/

Drawing a Floor Plan and Working out the Run direction and Quantities.

The best ways to save money is to do all the ground work yourself !

This firstly includes drawing a Floor Plan, then we will then advise you of the best run direction of your Floorcoverings as to minimise the amount of wastage and offcuts, if you are wanting to learn the mathematical formulas for this, we have written and composed several pages on this matter.

However if you are wanting a quick idea of what to expect the costs to be use this budget Estimator.

All that remains now, is for you to Draw a Plan of the room (or area) you are going to carpet.

If all this is far too much for you to comprehend (as their a wealth of knowledge to absorb), you can just go here and Request an onsite Quotation.