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. Roberts strongly recommend the priming of the sub floor with Roberts 370 Floor & Wall Primer prior to the application of the Roberts 656 Carpet Tile and Underlay Adhesive. The double bond underlay should be stuck to the sub floor using a pressure sensitive adhesive such as Roberts 656 Carpet Tile & Double Bond Underlay 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 Roberts Adhesives suitable for use in double bond applications are Roberts 80 Solvent Free Low Odour Carpet Adhesive, Roberts 90 Double Bond Carpet Adhesive or Roberts 95 Extra Tack Carpet Adhesive. For further information on the application of these and other Roberts Adhesives read our "CARPET ADHESIVE SELECTOR GUIDE" The carpet joins are seam welded using Roberts carpet seaming adhesive or Roberts 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. Roberts strongly recommend the priming of the sub floor with Roberts 370 Floor & Wall Primer prior to the application of the Roberts Carpet. Some Roberts Adhesives suitable for use in direct stick applications are Roberts 50 Carpet Adhesive, Roberts 80 Solvent Free, Low Odour Carpet Adhesive or Roberts 90 Double Bond Carpet Adhesive or Roberts 95 Extra Tack Carpet Adhesive. For further information on the application of these and other Roberts Adhesives read our "CARPET ADHESIVE SELECTOR GUIDE". Carpet joins should be seamed using Roberts 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 Roberts 50-321 GT Silicone Release Tape, mainly for domestic or light commercial use or Roberts 50-331 Super Tape 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 Roberts 370 Floor & Wall Primer prior to the application of the Roberts 656 Carpet Tile and Underlay Adhesive. The double bond underlay is adhered to the sub floor using Roberts 656 Carpet Tile & Double Bond Underlay Adhesive. The carpet tiles are adhered the double bond underlay using Roberts 656 Carpet Tile and Double Bond Underlay 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 Roberts 656 Carpet Tile & Double Bond Underlay Adhesive. The sub floor should first be primed with Roberts 370 Floor & Wall 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 looses 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. Top