Rugs, Carpets and Carpeting - where to place carpet seams

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View Full Version : where to place carpet seams


pmunley
11-16-04, 08:39 PM
Hello Everyone

Is there a general rule for placement of carpet seams and directions of carpet? I am getting conflicting answers about how they will lay my carpet. I am carpeting my basement. I need 98 yards and they both suggested 15' wide carpet. The basement is an open floor plan with 2 large rooms connected by a large walkway.

One store will have 3 seams with only 1 in the middle. The other will have 2 seams but both in the middle. I always thought the less seams the better but do I want 2 seams in a noticable area? The gentleman that is suggesting the 2 seams, holds installation classes and has one an installation award. That is why I went to his store. They are laying the carpet in opposite directions from each other. I am leaning toward a pattern. Will that make a difference in which way the carpet is layed?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Patty


Carpets Done Wright
11-21-04, 09:21 AM
The CFI installer that won installation contests, knows what he's doing.

Window lighting has a lot to do with carpet layout and seam placement, in difficult to seam carpet. Some carpets hide seams better then others.

I am confident enough in my seaming & stretching abilities, to place a seam in the middle of the room, is nothing to me. I can't say that for all installers. Actually very few around here.

pmunley
11-21-04, 07:03 PM
Thanks for your reply. We ordered the carpet Friday. We found out an old friend had used them and when we talked to her she said a lot of people in her neighborhood had used them and were very happy. They say they guarantee the installation for the life of the carpet.

If they install as good as their sales, I'm sure I will be very happy.

Thanks again'
Patty


eplain
11-28-04, 10:38 PM
>>Is there a general rule for placement of carpet seams


absolutely. Perpendicular to light, out of high traffic & doorways. Not right under your feet in front of a couch or chair....many things to consider.


>>and directions of carpet?

definetly....As a rule, carpet is laid in the direction of the traffic. Obviously that cant always be done but carpet was not designed to go in a hallway turned 90 degrees. You dont want halls and stairs to be turned as you would be comng at the grain sideways and it would show prematurely. I cant tell you how many professional people dont know this. But, there are exceptions for halls. I would never turn a set of stairs. Though many do.

That being said,

When you look at carpet, its true color is shown to you with the nap falling toward you. If you turn it 180 degrees you see a silver shine sometimes. Want to do something fun? after your carpet is in, take a left over piece and turn it 180 degrees off and lay it down on the floor. take a few paces back and look at it :O) (a saxony will have more of an effect than a berber.)


So you see, you must consider ALL things (of which i named a few) and a pro should be able to work it all out. Theres only one RIGHT way to do it.


>>I am getting conflicting answers about how they will lay my carpet.


Boy, that brings back memories. Sadly, most people in this busines dont know what they are doing. Ive got two words for you...."CROSS SEAM".
Go ask if anyone is putting in any cross seams and where they are. In a perfect world you do as many "length seams" as possible. Seams that run the length of the carpet. Imagine cutting in-between a row of loop pile carpet (not cutting a single loop) as opposed to cross grain, where you cut every single one of them :O)


>>One store will have.... The other will have....


No one can say without seeing your room and having all the information required to make such a call. I wouldnt.


>>I always thought the less seams the better


Generally yes. But i cant say that that is always the case.


>>but do I want 2 seams in a noticable area?


No. But what is "noticeable" to YOU and what is correct may be different things. Cant tell you how many times i had customers with ZERO knowledge try to tell me what they thought would be "better"! :O)


>>They are laying the carpet in opposite directions from each other.


Im willing to bet one is correct and one is....well...not correct! :O) haha
As i always say, there is only one way to do it...the right way.


>>I am leaning toward a pattern. Will that make a difference in which way the carpet is layed?


It can and will make a difference in everything