As with all home improvements, the laying of carpet or carpet tiles requires careful preparation and planning. The better the preparation and planning, the fewer problems are likely to occur during installation and the better the quality of the job in the long run.

Measure Twice Cut Once

If you are buying carpet you have two options. You can either get the retailer to come to your house and measure for you, or you can measure yourself. If you can get a professional to measure for you, then take up the offer without hesitation. Most retailers don’t charge extra for coming to your home or office to measure for carpet and that way if a mistake is made, the onus is on the retailer to make up the mistake, not you. Carpet can be difficult to measure for so if you do measure it yourself remember to seek advice and then measure TWICE.

Underlay Underlay

Most carpets will require underlay. This is the layer that sits under the carpet to not only protects your carpet but also adds to your comfort. A good underlay will make the carpet more pleasant to walk on, make walking through the house or unit a quieter exercise and provide insulation as well. Underlay can also help prevent your pile from flattening.

Rubber Waffle is one of the most popular underlays, mainly because of its versatility. Made from natural sponge rubber, it is appropriate to get a thickness that suits your carpet. The thicker your carpet, the thicker the underlay should be.

PU Foam, or Polyurethane Foam is a traditional favourite amongst professional carpet layers as it is easy to manoeuvre and cut. A budget wise choice that can do the job well if chosen correctly.

Felt is the choice of all environmentally friendly households as it is not only made from recycled materials but is also biodegradable. Felt gives great insulation and noise benefits but can be hard to install and handle. Felt is long wearing and very durable.

Getting Laid

• Get it out of here! – you need to remove all the furniture from the room/s where carpet is being laid. Don’t attempt this on your own if there are heavy items.
• Taking it off – you need to remove all of your old carpet and underlay. You will need to dispose of this and it can be quite bulky so be organised and plan your attack beforehand.
• Take a moment and breathe – carpet contains dust particles and dirt that you won’t even realise exist before you pull it up. Make you have plenty of ventilation through the removal and laying stages.
• Rip Rip – under your carpet and underlay will often strips of wood with tacks on them. These will need to be removed before new carpet can be laid.
• Out the Door – doors may need to be removed to allow carpet to be laid in the door way. If you are unsure if you need to remove the doors wait and ask the carpet layer.

Most carpet retailers will offer carpet laying services as part of the sale. Unless you are really keen, really experienced or just can’t afford it, take them up on the offer and get a professional to lay it for you. A badly laid room will take away any great affect that your new carpet should have.