How to Measure for Carpet

Carpet measuring basics

When measuring a room for carpet it is important to remember that most residential carpet comes in twelve (12) foot wide rolls.  These rolls may be laid parallel to each other and seamed together using carpet seam tape and a seaming iron.  Carpet rolls should seldom, if ever, be laid perpendicular to each other.  The weave pattern does not match if one roll of carpet is installed adjacent to another roll of carpet which lies 45, 90, 135, or180 degrees relative to the first roll.  For example, if the carpet is unrolled toward the north, any rooms which directly seam up to the first drop must roll out toward the north as well.  Carpet drops in rooms which are separated by stairs or other flooring material are excluded from these rules.

Quick Tips:

• Most carpet is manufactured in 12 feet wide rolls.

• There will be material waste (remnant carpet) in a room is less than 12 ft wide.

• You must account for seams when a room is wider than 12 feet.

• All carpet in connecting rooms must run in the same direction.

This diagram does not need to be exact.  Sketch out the rooms using a straight edge.  Try to be fairly accurate with your proportions, but don’t worry if they aren’t perfect.  Label each room and write in the dimensions.  Label rooms that are not getting carpet or that are getting some other flooring material.  Notice the grey shaded areas are labeled “tile.”

Remember that the direction of the carpet drops needs to remain consistent when installed in connecting rooms.  No matter which direction you decide is best, always write measurements as width then length.

As you physically measure the room, record the measurements on an organized drop sheet.  Use the same drop sheet layout as is shown below in the example.  Drop sheets may be hand written.

Make sure to cover all your fills.  Begin by checking remnant sizes.  Since the 2x15 remnant is not wide enough to cover any fills, another drop is necessary.  Create another drop (#5) large enough to cover all fills.

Next find the sum of the lengths of all the drops (20+17+15+16+17=85).  This means we will need a roll of carpet that is twelve (12) feet wide by eighty-five (85) feet long. Multiply the width of the carpet roll by the length (12 X 85 = 1020) to get the square footage of the carpet roll needed.  Because there are nine (9) square feet in one yard, divide the square footage of the carpet by nine (1020 ÷ 9 = 133.3333) to get the total square yardage needed and round to the nearest hundredth.  For the above layout, we will need 133.33 yards of carpet.

For this room we will use 2 drops, one 12x15, the other 12x15 with a 3x15 remnant

For this room we will have 2 drops, each 12x15 with no fills or remnants.

This room requires two drops of 12x15 with two separate remnants.  Either one of 2x11 and one of 7x4, or one of 2x15 and one of 5x4.

This room requires a drop of 12x16 and a fill of 3x7.  Notice how the width is always recorded first.

Carpet Measuring Photos

This layout requires 2 drops and a fill.  Be sure to figure on running the carpet the same direction in all connecting rooms.

The exact measurement of the carpeted area in the above photo is 7 feet, 2 inches.  When measuring, always round up to the nearest 3 inch increment.  When measuring carpet, add an additional 3 inches onto the end of each measurement.  That would mean that this measurement would be recorded as seven feet six inches or 7’6” (7’2” rounded to the nearest increment of 3” = 7’3” plus an additional 3” for carpet = 7’6”).

In the above photo the measurement or the carpeted area is exactly 7 feet.  Because 7 feet is the same as 84 inches (which is a multiple of 3”) no additional rounding is required.  Add the additional 3 inches that is added onto all carpet measurements.  Record this measurement as 7’3”.

The actual width of the stairway is 3’6”.  This is a multiple of 3” so no additional rounding is needed.  Add 3” to the measurement for a width of 3’9”.

Measure the tread and riser length together, as shown in the above photo.  The length of one tread plus one riser is 1’6”.  Add 3” for a length of 1’9”.  Take the measurement of the width of the stairs by the measurement of the length of one step (tread plus riser) and record them together i.e. 3’9”x 1’9”.  Count the number of risers and write it as 3’9”x 1’9”x 15 (15 risers @ 3’9”x 1’9” each).  Multiply the number of risers by the length of each step by converting the measurement into a decimal (1’9” can be written as 1.75 Therefore 1.75 x 15risers = 26.25).  This means you will need a fill of 3’9”x 26’3” to cover the staircase.  The above staircase is a custom stair case built on site with no runners.  If your stair case has runners, you will need to add 1 foot by the length of the runner.

Continuous Filament Nylon Fiber

BCF/CFN vs. Staple Fiber

When it comes to durability, there is little difference between bulked continuous filament (BCF) or continuous filament nylon (CFN) and staple (spun) fibers in your carpet. The difference lies in the length of the fibers in the carpet yarn, with staple having shorter lengths, giving the yarn more bulk (sometimes described as being more like wool).

Generally speaking, carpet made with BCF or CFN is more expensive than carpet manufactured using staple yarns.  When carpet is manufactured with staple fiber (short fiber), there will be initial shedding of shorter fibers. It will soon stop, depending on the amount of foot traffic and frequency of vacuuming. Staple yarn carpet will need to be vacuumed in order to remove built up tufts of loose fibers that often accumulate on top of the carpet.  These can be unsightly and annoying, but again, they will eventually subside.  Wool is a natural staple fiber; nylon and polyester can be staple or continuous filament; and olefin (polypropylene) is usually BCF.  Carpet yarns made with Bulk Continuous Filament Nylon does not shed.

Carpet Cushion (Carpet Pad)

According to CRI, carpet cushion is “any kind of material placed under carpet to provide softness and adequate support when it is walked upon. Carpet cushion provides a softer feel underfoot and provides added acoustical and insulation benefits and longer wear life for the carpet. In some cases, the carpet cushion is attached to the carpet when it is manufactured. Cushion is also referred to as “padding” or “underlay,” although “cushion” is the preferred term. Cushion under most residential carpet should be a thickness of no greater than 7/16" and no less than 1/4" with 6 pound per cubic feet density. If the carpet is a Berber or a low profile carpet, choose a cushion of no more than 3/8" thickness with 8 pounds of density.”

Foam Cushion

Foam cushion comes in three distinct varieties:

• Prime- polyurethane foam is a more firm variety of the same cushion foam used in furniture, mattresses, and car seats. Two liquid ingredients are combined to form a large mass of foam, which is then sliced into sheets for use as carpet cushion.  Unlike the uniformly shaped foam cells found in conventional prime cushioning, certain Grafted Prime products have irregularly shaped foam cells. Other Grafted Prime products have very small, uniformly shaped foam cells.  Both types of grafted prime carpet cushion products are capable of providing a distinctive feel under foot.  Densified Prime is created by limiting the foam rising action through the use of mechanical or chemical technologies.  As vertical compression is limited by the oriented cell thickness, at a specified firmness, thickness, and density, there may be less "give" on impact than with conventional or grafted prime products.
• Bonded- polyurethane foam (often called rebond) is quite unique. You cannot mistake it when you see it, because it is formed by combining chopped and shredded pieces of foam, in different sizes and usually different colors, into one solid piece. It frequently has a surface net for ease of installation and improved performance.  Bonded foam is one of the most amazing recycling projects of all time. Nearly all the scrap foam in the U.S., and some from other countries as well, is utilized to make bonded cushion. This recycles waste, which would otherwise be thrown out, and it eases the strain on our landfills. Moreover, bonded foam is itself recyclable. The price of rebond cushion goes up and down depending on the availability of foam scrap. It is going to be difficult to predict what the price will be in just a few months.
• Froth- polyurethane foam is made with carpet backing machinery. Liquid ingredients are applied, either directly to the backs of some carpet styles, or to a non-woven material (for making separate cushion). They react and form thin, dense foam which is particularly useful in commercial applications with wide expanses of carpet.  Certain types of Frothed Polyurethane pad may double the manufacturer’s warranty (as with Shaw’s Indulgence MFCB cushion).

Rubber Cushion

There are two basic types of sponge rubber carpet cushion:

• Waffled (or Rippled) - Waffled rubber cushion is made by molding natural or synthetic rubber. Heat cures the rubber and forms a waffle pattern. This variety produces a soft, resilient cushion whose luxurious feel is particularly useful for residences.
• Flat - sponge rubber is a firm, dense cushion, which has a flat surface and is normally used in large-scale commercial applications and with loop type (or Berber) carpet.

Rubber cushion manufacturing processes can be varied to produce different levels of density and firmness. The usual measurement is the weight in ounces per square yard.

Fiber

Foam and rubber cushions are produced from new and recycled materials. Fiber cushion, on the other hand, uses existing fibers (both virgin and recycled, and either natural or man-made fibers), which are interlocked into a useful sheet of felt. There are two distinct varieties of fiber cushion:

• Natural - fibers include felt, animal hair, and jute (the material used to make some kinds of rope and heavy burlap bags). This is one of the oldest types of carpet cushion, dating back to the earliest days of machine-made carpet.
• Synthetic - fibers include nylon, polyester, polypropylene, and acrylics, which are needle-punched into relatively dense cushions which have a firm feel and, as with other types of cushion, can be made in virtually any weight, to stand up under light, medium, or heavy traffic, which is how they are usually classified.

For recommendations on the best application of each type of carpet pad or cushion or pricing, call US Floors Direct, Inc.

(719) 325-7539

Green Flooring

Is it really good for the environment?

It seems like there is a new "green" flooring product released every week!  From recycled to sustainable, from hardwoods to manufactured goods; How do we know if they really are good for the environment?  (For our recommendations of products that are good for the environment in a tangible way, see "environment")

Hardwood

Bamboo and cork are all the rage.  Bamboo is much more durable, especially strand bamboo, and it grows to maturity at a fraction of the time!  But, it's harvested in China and transported across Asia using outdated engines with horrible gas mileage and terrible emissions.  Then, it has to be transported across the world on a cargo ship, many of which also have poor environmental standards (see also Hardwood Flooring Blog).  Cork flooring is harvested in Portugal.  Granted, it is mostly harvested and processed by hand, but it still has to be shipped.  Reclaimed lumber and sustainable logging projects are still our best bet for being good stewards over the environment.

Carpet

Carpet manufacturers have been using recycled materials to make carpets for years.  One example is carpet made from 100% post-consumer recycled food and drink containers (made with top quality PET, aka polyethylene terephthalate or PET Polyester Carpet, resins as required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration).  The downside is that PET Polyester is only good for medium-traffic applications, at best.   Shaw's Anso Nylon Carpet fibers contain recycled nylon and are recyclable.  To my knowledge, this is the only recycled nyloln.  Shaw claims that there is no difference in look, texture, or durability.  It's still too new to tell so,  nn my opinion, the the jury is still out.

Final Thoughts

When shopping for green products, it's best to pay close attention to how the product is made, how far it is shipped, and how long it will last.  We can learn a valuable lesson from the propaganda surrounding the Toyota Prius a few years ago.  Even though it gets great gas mileage, the environmental impact that the manufacturing process inflicted on the earth made it less environmentally friendly (when you add up the costs from production to disposal) than a Hummer H3.  Compact Fluorescent Lamps aren't as good for the environment as the government wants us to believe, either.

It turns out, "Green" is not as cut and dry of a concept as we all hoped it would be.  (See also: commentary on the environment by William Baldwin of Forbes)

For our recommendations of products that are good for the environment in a tangible way, see "environment")

How often should I replace my carpet?

A question I am often asked is “how often should I replace my carpet?”  Not to be too facetious but I like to pose the question back, “how often should you replace your favorite shirt?”  Although it’s not exactly a perfect parallel, it is important to realize that carpet is a type of textile and, therefore, has similarities with your favorite shirt.  The follow are a few things to consider when deciding whether or not it is time for some new carpet.

Carpet Stains or soil that will not come out.

Although stain removal technology has come a long way in recent years, certain substances can permanently attach themselves to the carpet fiber leaving a stain.  Professional cleaning can often resolve stain problems but depending on your carpet’s color and the color of the stain, it can really be an embarrassing eye sore.

Carpet Color Fading in Colorado

Outdated Carpet: Style and/or Color

Pet Damage or Odor

Carpet Quality Factors

What to look for when shopping for a quality carpet.

Yarn Material

As discussed in a previous article about carpet fibers, nylon is considered to be the most versatile carpet fiber.  However, your fiber choice might change depending on the application.  For example, if you are less concerned about the damage a carpet will receive due to traffic and more concerned about stains, polyester may be the better choice. You might also consider polyester if you are concerned about a carpet growing mold in an area that may be exposed to prolonged moisture (i.e. a porch) or you have a limited budget.  If you are looking for a carpet that will remain attractive for more than a decade, wool is a fantastic choice.

Yarn Twist

Heat setting is the term used to describe a thermal process, either a steam or a dry heat process, which gives fibers and yarns dimensional stability.  We like to refer to the heat set twist as the backbone of a the carpet pile. Heat setting works well with staple yarns and bulked continuous filament (BCF) yarns.  Generally speaking, the more twists per inch, the higher quality the carpet.

Carpet Backing and Density

Density, along with twist and yarn type, will also determine how well a carpet endures wear from surface abrasion (wear and tear from walking on the carpet).  Density is measured at the carpet backing, not on the surface of the pile.  A poorly twisted carpet tuft may appear to be thick and full on the surface, but when you dig your fingers in you can feel how sparse the tufts really are.  When examining the backing, look for the nice white color of the silicon sealants and adhesives.  Low quality adhesives can be grey or brownish.

Carpet Texture and Style

Style not only determines the look of the carpet, it also has a lot to do with how well it performs.  A shaggy frizee berber carpet,which is very popular in Colorado, does a great job of hiding lint, foot prints, vacuum tracks, and dirt or stains.  A short, dense loop-pile carpet will perform extremely well in high traffic areas.  Formal plush and saxony carpets look great in a living room or sitting area, but are not very forgiving.  Plushes and saxony carpets tend to show all vacuum tracks, foot prints, dirt, stains, and will "ugly out" more quickly in high traffic areas.

US Floors likes to empower our customers.

We'll give you the information you need to make an educated decision about what products will best fit your home.

Call us today for a free in-home estimate.    (719) 391-9319

Vegas Carpets

Ugly Vegas Carpets Want You to Keep Playing

via www.wired.com/blogs - September 3, 2010

Mathematician-philosopher Alfred North Whitehead once said, “It requires a very unusual mind to undertake the analysis of the obvious.” This certainly rings true with Chris Maluszynski’s Las Vegas Carpets series, whose name explains it all. The photos draw out the psychology of Las Vegas through the simple observation of carpet.

Years ago, while in Las Vegas covering the World Series of Poker, Maluszynski found himself as enraptured by  the drama unfolding below the tables as above them. Originally from Sweden, now based in New York,  Maluszynski spent four years roaming Sin City’s kaleidoscopic corridors with his camera.

“The carpets definitely play a big part in keeping the town as surreal as it is,” said Maluszynski by e-mail. “  "Thought has been given to the carpeting by people who want to create this special atmosphere, [one] that  defines Vegas as a gambling city.”

That’s a theory backed up by Dave Schwartz, Director of the Center for Gaming Research, at the University of  Nevada Las Vegas. Schwartz theorizes that “casino carpet is known as an exercise in deliberate bad taste that  somehow encourages people to gamble.”

Schwartz also points out that the busy carpets are not without design: There are floral designs at Mandalay  Palace, abstract pointillist floors at Paris and, at Caesars Palace, the wheel – the Roman symbol of the “relentless  capriciousness of fortune.”

As he trod the psychedelic multilevel-loop carpets of Vegas, Masulynzski’s thoughts flashed back to the Vegas experienced and described by Hunter S. Thompson: “You’re in a prison of sensory impressions. I was trying to rest my eyes, and I looked at the carpet and thought, Shoot, I can’t do it there, either,” Maluszynski recently told The New Yorker.

Vegas isn’t all obvious ornament however; Maluszynski did manage to find refuge, “There is actually a surprising number of galleries in Vegas where great art can be found. Wynn’s art collection is impressive.”

Maluszynski exhibited Las Vegas Carpets in April and has no intentions to return to the series. However, he continues to explore his interest in, and expand his collection of “odd patterns that define particular places.” Maluszynski plans to point his lens at another smothering of American kitsch: “I have started shooting motel bedspreads; it’s a great excuse to go road-tripping.”

All Images @Chris Maluszynski/MOMENT.

Nylon Carpet Fiber

At US Floors, we believe their are several factors that determine a carpet's overall quality: Fiber, Style, Yarn Twist, Backing, and Pile Density.  In this brief article, I will be discussing carpet fibers with an emphasis on Nylon.

99% of all carpet in the United States is made from synthetic materials.  The most common are Nylon, Polyester, Olefin (polypropylene), PTT (Polytrimethylene Terephthalate) and Acrylic.  Nylon is by far the most popular and, in my opinion, the most versatile.  Nylon wears fairly well, which means it is resistant to abrasion and overall wear and tear.  When it is shampooed or cleaned, it seems to bounce back and look almost like new.  It is not inherently stain resistant like polyester, but it can be effective at resisting stains when anti-stain treatments are applied.  The most popular treatments are Scotchgard®, Stainmaster®, Teflon®, and R2X®, and they can either be applied, during or after the manufacturing process.  It is also important to discuss the varying quality factors of the two types of Nylon; Type 6 Nylon, and Type 6-6 Nylon.

Type 6 Nylon

Type 6 Nylon is identified as 100% Nylon, BCF Nylon, or CFN Nylon.  It has an open molecular structure, which means it receives dye stuffs more readily.  This also means that it receives dirt and stains more readily.  The most obvious features are that it is less soft and less expensive than type 6-6.

Type 6-6 Nylon

Type 6-6 Nylon is manufactured by the two major yarn companies Stainmaster® (Tactesse®) and Wear-Dated® (DuraSoft®, ThermaSealed®, and Traffic Conto®l).  Type 6-6 has a smaller, tighter molecular structure.  This makes it more difficult to dye. However, once dyed, Type 6-6 Nylon is more colorfast, more dirt resistant, and much more stain resistant than Type 6.  It is also more soft to the touch.  These enhanced features make it a more durable, longer lasting carpet fiber.  This means it is also more expensive.  While the other types of carpet fibers have their strengths, US Floors Direct almost always recommends Nylon, particularly Type 6-6.

Have more questions about which Carpet Fiber is right for your home?  Call us!

We'll get you in touch with one of our friendly flooring specialists.

(719) 391-9319

Ask about our current flooring specials and sales.

In 2005, carpet shipped in the United States totaled 2.057 billion square yards (18.5 billion square feet) or $13.9 billion at the mill level (In 1950, industry shipments were 97 million square yards). Today, the carpet manufacturing industry offers many different looks and styles, much more than just a conventional loop pile. New technology can produce multilevel loop and cut/loop patterns. There are many options such as diamonds, bows, pin dots, or fleurs-de-lis designs that "pop out" in sculptured effects. Using a solid color, textured carpet is a great way to provide interest and pizzazz, without going to a multicolor, overall pattern.

Textured styles also fit well with today’s active and casual lifestyles. Whether or not a carpet is textured, it can be created through the use of several construction techniques.

• Cut pile - Loops are cut, leaving individual yarn tufts. Still one of today's most popular constructions, its durability is achieved with factors including the type of fiber, density of tufts, and the amount of twist in the yarn.

• Plush / Velvet – Velvets and Plush carpeting are manufactured with a gentle twist.  Because of the gentle twist, they are softer than Textured and other carpets. Visual luxury and feel make Velvet and Plush carpeting perfect for living rooms, master suites, theater rooms, and all other formal areas within the home. This style shows all traffic marks.

• Saxony - Carpet fibers in a Saxony carpet are twisted tightly, cut, and then straightened using heat. The texture of a Saxony carpet works well in both formal and informal rooms.  Saxony carpets have a medium level of durability and show foot prints and tracks from a vacuum cleaner.

• Friezé – Frieze carpet is recommended for high traffic areas.  The yarns are tightly twisted, forming a "curly" textured surface.  This informal look hides almost all foot prints and vacuum marks.

• Loop Pile - In the past, loop pile (often confused with Berber carpet†) was considered a more casual style and was typically used in basements, game rooms, and other informal high traffic areas. As carpet styles have evolved, more variety became available. Loop pile may have a look anywhere from very casual to extremely formal.The term "berber" is used to describe any type of carpeting with more than two colors. Berber can be loop, cut pile, frieze, and others.

• Level loop pile – Loops are the same height, creating an informal look.  It generally holds up well in high-traffic areas.  Many of today’s popular Berber styles are level loop styles with flecks of a darker color on a lighter backg round.

• Multi-level loop pile — Usually has two to three different loop heights to create pattern effects, providing good durability and a more formal loop.

• Cut-and-loop pile – Combination of cut and looped yarns. Provides variety of surface textures, including sculptured effects of squares, chevrons, swirls, fleur-de-lis, etc.