CARPET / CARPET TILE INSTALLATION METHODS
Which is the most suitable type of carpet installation for your project
- There are three methods of installing broadloom carpet — DOUBLE BOND, DIRECT STICK or CONVENTIONAL
- There are two types of installation for carpet tiles — DOUBLE BOND or DIRECT STICK
DOUBLE BOND CARPET INSTALLATION
Double Bond Carpet Installation is now the preferred method of installation of tufted, woven, fusion bonded or Action Back carpets particularly in commercial and heavy traffic areas. The double bond underlay which is made from foamed latex rubber and is 3.7-8.00mm thick but most often 4.7mm. Polymer strongly recommend the priming of the sub floor with Polymer 6000 Acrylic Primer prior to the application of the Polymer 999 Pressure Sensitive Adhesive. The double bond underlay should be stuck to the sub floor using a pressure sensitive adhesive such as Polymer 999 Pressure Sensitive Adhesive. The carpet is adhered to the double bond underlay using an adhesive most suitable to the type of carpet, location, anticipated traffic and cleaning volume. Some Polymer Adhesives suitable for use in double bond applications are Polymer 228 Solvent Free Low Odour Carpet Adhesive or Polymer 300 Contract Carpet Adhesive. For further information on the application of these and other Polymer Adhesives read our "CARPET ADHESIVE SELECTOR GUIDE" The carpet joins are seam welded using Polymer carpet seaming adhesive or Polymer double bond carpet seaming tape.DIRECT STICK CARPET INSTALLATION
Direct stick carpet installation is an economical method of installing tufted, woven, fusion bonded or Action Bac carpets. Polymer strongly recommend the priming of the sub floor with Polymer 6000 Acrylic Primer prior to the application of the Polymer Carpet. Some Polymer Adhesives suitable for use in direct stick applications are Polymer 227 Carpet Adhesive, Polymer 228 Solvent Free Low Odour Carpet Adhesive or Polymer 300 Contract Carpet Adhesive. For further information on the application of these and other Polymer Adhesives read our "CARPET ADHESIVE SELECTOR GUIDE". Carpet joins should be seamed using Polymer carpet seaming adhesive.CONVENTIONAL CARPET INSTALLATION
This is the traditional method of installing carpet in both domestic and commercial areas. Carpet gripper is fixed around the outside perimeters of each room and carpet underlay is laid to the body of the room. The carpet underlay may be animal hair or animal hair and jute, waffle rubber or crumbed foam underlay The carpet is laid over the underlay and stretched off the carpet gripper removing puckering and wrinkles. Any seams in the carpet may be joined with heat bond carpet joining tape such as Polymer GP Heat Bond Tape, mainly for domestic or light commercial use or Polymer Commercial Gold Foil for commercial carpet installations. For more information on heat bond carpet joining tapes, read "TIPS FOR MAKING PERFECT CARPET SEAMS".DOUBLE BOND CARPET TILE INSTALLATION
Double bond carpet tile installation is similar to double bond carpet installation. Roberts strongly recommend the priming of the sub floor with Polymer 6000 Acrylic Primer prior to the application of the Polymer 999 Pressure Sensitive Adhesive. The double bond underlay is adhered to the sub floor using Polymer 999 Pressure Sensitive Adhesive. The carpet tiles are adhered to the double bond underlay using Polymer 999 Pressure Sensitive Adhesive. If the carpet tiles are laid into the wet film of adhesive it forms an almost permanent bond between the carpet tile and double bond underlay. The tiles may also be laid into the adhesive when it has dried to a clear tacky adhesive film which will form a semi permanent bond between allowing them to be easily removed if repairs or replacement is required without damaging the double bond underlay or tiles.DIRECT STICK CARPET TILES
The carpet tiles are adhered to the sub floor using Polymer 900 or 999 Pressure Sensitive Adhesive. The sub floor should first be primed with Polymer 6000 Acrylic Primer prior to the application of the carpet tile adhesive. If the carpet tile is laid into a wet film of adhesive it forms an almost permanent bond between the carpet tile and sub floor. The carpet tiles may also be laid into the adhesive when it has dried to a clear tacky film allowing them to be more easily removed if repairs or replacement is required.CHOOSING YOUR CARPET INSTALLATION ?
Advantages of Double Bond Installations, the preferred method in commercial installations, carpet is easily repaired, sections can be removed and replaced. If an area is flooded, the water can be removed, the carpet and underlay dried usually without removing it so replacement and inconvenience is kept to a minium. The carpet does not wrinkle or pucker even with the heaviest traffic or when partitions are built over the carpet. If seams are sealed during installation, there should be no pulled threads or gaping and unsightly joins. The carpet is more cushioned to walk on.Disadvantages of Double Bond Installations, more expensive than direct stick or conventional
Advantages of Conventional Installation, still the preferred method in some commercial and domestic areas, is easy and relatively inexpensive.
Disadvantages of Conventional Installation, may allow carpet to wrinkle and pucker even in small areas as the carpet loses tension.
Advantages of Direct Stick, reduces costs to a minium and carpet will not wrinkle or pucker.
Disadvantages of Direct Stick, harder to walk on and appearance retention is not high because the carpet pile may flatten. Usually more difficult to remove direct stick carpet and clean the floor.