Carpet Flooring Guide

Carpet is one of the most traditional floor coverings in homes, offices and shops the world over.

As well as being a highly affordable option, carpet is a great way to add colour and texture to a room. It also has a very practical use too as it reduces noise and helps keep a room feeling warm and cosy.

Different rooms and different buildings have different needs, so finding a carpet that is both stylish and practical can be difficult - so that's where our team of experts can help.

We offer carpet from four different manufacturers; Above Left, Signature Floor Concepts, Ontera and Godfrey Hurst Carpets, so there is something to suit every taste and style.

Carpet tiles

As well as traditional rolled carpet we also supply and fit carpet tiles, which are more traditionally used in commercial premises as they are quicker and easier to fit.

The simple square tiles come in all of the styles that the rolled carpet would and can be used in exactly the same way.

Carpet tiles and broadloom carpets also allow for patching or restretching should an area of flooring become stained or worn over time.

Preparation

To ensure installation is as quick and simple as possible we ask customers to remove all personal items, clothing, toys, small furniture and breakables from the rooms affected. In bedrooms, we also ask for closets to be emptied, drawers removed from dressers and linen from beds to make the process as simple as possible. It is also essential to disconnect and remove any electronics, computers, TV’s before the installer arrives at your home.

We will remove doors and re-hang them as needed; however, if they need to be cut, to fit the new flooring, they will be left off so you can arrange to have them cut by another contractor, as this is not something we do.

ShoreFloors does also not move delicate or large items, so you will need to make your own arrangements to have these items moved in advance.

To install your floor successfully the temperature must be a minimum of 18 degrees, so your heating system must be operational and set at the required temperature for at least 48 for us to install your floor.

On the day of installation

CLEAN UP / ODORS – Upon completion of the installation our installers will vacuum, remove all scraps, tubes, plastic and wrappers but they will leave behind any sizable left over pieces, doormat sized or larger at their discretion.

Please be aware that your carpet may still have loose fibres, sprouts, and fuzz, which may need vacuuming several times to completely remove.

Removal of an existing carpet and the installation of a new one can generate dust but our Shore Floor installers are not responsible for cleaning up or removing dust.

You may notice an odour following your carpet fitting. This is not a defect nor hazardous to you or your family and it will dissipate within a couple of weeks.

ELECTRICAL / ALARM WIRES / PIPES – ShoreFloors is not responsible for any cut, pierced or broken electrical/alarm wires or pipes that are improperly fitted in walls, along baseboards, under floors and not in accordance with your local building code.

WALLS / BASEBOARDS / ACCESS – Carpet comes in rolls of between 12 and 15-foot-long, so if we are installing carpet in an area that has difficult access or attempting to bring carpet into a basement or attic there may be some unavoidable marks and scuffs on your walls, baseboards and railings. Our installers will always operate using caution while in your home to prevent marking and Shore Floors is not responsible nor do we reimburse for minor scratches, marks and scuffs.

Care and maintenance

As carpet is a made of fibres, it must be cleaned and maintained to keep it looking good, in fact all manufactures require carpet to be cleaned every 12 to 18 months.

Depending on your selection (and treatment) you may need to clean your carpet more often, especially those light in colour. Most manufactures recommend hot water (steam) extraction for cleaning carpets. Please refer to your manufactures warranty guide for specific cleaning and maintenance requirements for your carpet.

SEAMS – There is no such thing as an invisible seam on a carpet so they will be visible. It is worth remembering that Berber’s, low profile, flat weave, pattern loops all will show more than plush carpets and lighting from windows will enhance the visibility of a seam.

SHEDDING – Unfortunately a new carpet will shed. The fibre type, twist and construction of the carpet will affect how much it sheds but it is normal to see some fibres in your vacuum for the first six months.

SHADING / TEXTURE – Carpet can appear to look and feel different once it is installed in your home. Dye-lots, lighting, paint colour and furniture lay out all will affect the appearance of your carpet, so it’s important to remember that the carpet sample you are looking at is only a representative of what you will be getting, not an exact match.

ROLL MARKS / INDENTS – Sometimes carpets can have crush/roll marks that become visible after the carpet is installed. This condition is not a defect and can easily be corrected by steaming the affected area. You should also be aware that heavy objects, such as furniture, can leave permanent dents in your carpet.

WOVEN / FLAT WEAVE CARPETS – These carpets require special care and some cannot be vacuumed using a regular beater bar vacuum. Seams in these carpets are also very noticeable although some products cannot have cross seams or be seamed at all. Your estimator will review your selection and seam placement to make sure it will fit your needs.

PATTERN CARPETS – All pattern carpets have pattern matches, so when figuring out seams we will make sure to add the appropriate match everywhere there is a seam. Unfortunately, this can add a substantial amount of carpet to your job, as there is no such thing as a “square” room. Certain patterns are harder to match than others and will require more carpet, so it is worth considering when you are looking at the options.