Everything you need to know about laying carpet on concrete

People do not tend to think of concrete floors and carpeting as a natural mix. The latter is more often associated with floors made of a material such as wood.

That said, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with putting carpets on top of floors made of concrete. Indeed, the warmth and softness that carpeting offers can be a good way of mitigating the cold, hard feel of concrete.

Carpets will also conceal the drab, grey look concrete has and give the floors of an office or other commercial space a more attractive and colourful appearance.

There are points to be conscious of if you want to lay carpet over concrete though, which we will detail here.

Make sure the floor has been prepared

The first step in the process will be to take a close look at the floor in the room where you want to lay carpeting. What you are looking for is cracks, holes and other imperfections in the concrete.

If you find any of these, then they should be filled in using something suitable such as Polyfilla or another product designed for the purpose. This is because cracks and other damage to the surface will affect the lay of the carpet once it has been installed.

After filling in the cracks, check that the floor is even with a spirit level. If not, you can use levelling compound to make it even.

Choose the right type of carpet

Generally speaking, carpets are divided into two different types: ones made out of natural fibres and those made from synthetic fibres. When it comes to putting carpeting on top of a concrete floor, a synthetic-fibre carpet will be the superior option.

This is because synthetic carpets absorb less moisture than those made with natural fibres. Although some rooms produce more moisture than others, it is likely to be an issue in any room whenever the weather is humid.

Excessive moisture will lead to the carpet rotting, which will leave you having to pay for a replacement. Synthetic carpets are also to cope with tough cleaning, making them a more durable pick in every way.

The carpet backing must also be made of a synthetic fibre to avoid moisture build-up between the carpet and the concrete underneath.

What underlay to choose

When choosing your carpet, you will not only have to consider the surface material and the backing, but also the underlay. Concrete presents greater challenges here than other types of floors.

Most people do not give a great deal of thought to the underlay of their carpet because they will never see it once it has been laid. That can be a big error when the carpet is being put over the top of a concrete floor though.

Foam is a very popular underlay material due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness. However, it is not really the ideal choice for concrete.

It is an extremely porous material, which means that it will soak up any moisture in the atmosphere. That will cause it to rot pretty rapidly and can also lead to the main carpet and the concrete becoming damaged and unsightly.

The underlay for a carpet going over concrete should be resistant to bacteria, with rubber being one such example.

Getting expert advice from a firm with more than half a century of flooring experience will ensure you get an underlay that is durable enough to handle rubbing against concrete. Need help choosing the right underlay? Talk to our team of experts about your requirements.

Installing the tack strips

These are thin strips that have sharp, pointed metal tips at the top of them. Those sharp edges keep the carpeting firmly in place on the floor.

You can get both concrete and wood tack strips, but if the floor is made of concrete, you will want the tack strips made out of that too. The wooden ones will not have enough strength.

Lay them around the edges of your room with a roughly 5mm gap between them and the wall. That gap will make for a better finish.

The underlay will be set down ahead of the main carpet. Another point to note when it comes to a concrete floor is that standard tack strips may not be enough to hold it steady.

All carpets move very slightly when you walk on them, but the harshness of concrete will see that movement rub away the backing of the carpet. For that reason, it can be worth considering gluing your carpet onto the floor to prevent that sort of movement.

There is nothing to prevent you laying a carpet on top of a floor made of concrete, but as you can see, it is a bit more challenging than other types of floor surface.

It is advised to hire a professional flooring firm instead of attempting it yourself, as this will make the process a lot easier. Here at Home Style Carpets & Flooring we’re happy to help!

Survey reveals top five carpet regrets

A Which? survey asked over 6,000 carpet owners about their carpet-related regrets. The top five regrets are:

1. Wearing shoes when walking on carpets

Coming in from outside and walking on carpets without removing shoes, especially in wet weather, is liable to make the carpet dirty. Many households easily solve this issue by only walking on carpets wearing socks, slippers or barefoot.

2. Choosing a light colour

A bright, light-coloured carpet may look good, but in busy households with young children, it could easily stain. Around 13% of those who replied to the Which? survey regretted that they had not chosen a darker carpet.

3. Buying the wrong type of carpet

An expensive wool carpet adds to the feel of luxury to a room, but some people with busy households regret buying a luxury carpet when it starts looking dirty. However, this is not a problem if the carpet is regularly cleaned.

4. Installing inferior-quality underlay

A decent-quality underlay adds a cushion effect to a carpet and can make it last longer.

5. Choosing the wrong carpets for pets

Not all carpets are ideal for pets. Dog claws can snag some carpets. Households can choose scratch-, damage- and water-resistant carpets if pets are in the household.

Carpets in Chester, North Wales and Wrexham homes are a practical choice for flooring if they are well maintained. To avoid carpet regrets, people can a local carpet retailer and fitter for advice on the most suitable carpet styles, materials, and colours for their homes.

Five carpet mistakes to avoid

If you’re considering installing carpet in your home, here are five common mistakes people make when installing carpets to avoid.

1. Too bold colours and patterns

According to Homes & Gardens, Designer Katie Raffetto warns against carpet patterns that are too bright or bold. An over-the-top combination of a bright-patterned carpet and colourful print curtains overwhelms the senses. She says:

“A neutral wall to wall will give a soft beautiful background, as you may tire of the pattern or colour.”

An exception to this is a children’s playroom, which can be vibrant and cheerful.

2. Wall-to-wall carpeting of the whole home

Most rooms look great with wall-to-wall carpeting, but not every room. Laminate, vinyl or tiles are better for wet areas, including kitchens and bathrooms.

3. Weight doesn’t always equal better quality

Some believe that a heavier-weight carpet is better than a lighter-weight one. However, this is not always the case. The density and twist of the pile both affect the carpet quality.

4. Choosing the wrong underlay

A common mistake people make when installing carpet in their homes is to use the wrong underlay. Some people wrongly believe that a heavy carpet needs no underlay. A good underlay makes the carpet feel comfortable and last longer.

5. Using the wrong carpet staples

People should also be wary of using the wrong staples to secure the carpet, as if chosen incorrectly, they may come loose and need replacing.

To avoid these and other mistakes when buying carpets for Chester and North Wales rooms, people can seek the advice of a professional carpet installer.

What are the benefits of carpets?

A few years ago, some people believed that carpets in North Wales homes were not fashionable. Now, this has changed, as consumers become aware of the many benefits of carpets.

Sound insulation

In a noisy world, it’s good to have a quiet space to relax in. Carpets, especially deep-pile ones, are good at absorbing sounds. That’s why carpets are often seen in music recording studios. A room with a carpet reduces sound from neighbours, other rooms and your own feet walking on the floor. In large rooms, carpets prevent annoying echoes.

Easy to clean

Carpets rarely look dirty, as the pile hides dust and small particles. Daily vacuuming takes little time and keeps the carpet clean. At least once a year, carpets should be deep cleaned with special carpet shampoo or by professionals.

Hide flaws

The floor beneath a carpet does not have to be in pristine condition. A carpet hides scratches, chips and other damage. Stains and scuff marks are covered, and any dents in the floor left by the legs of heavy furniture can be concealed by carpets.

Child friendly

Carpets are very child friendly. If young children trip or fall, they are less likely to be injured on carpets compared to hard floors. Carpets feel soft, warm and comforting for children.

In addition, carpets absorb dust, preventing airborne particles that can cause respiratory problems for some children. This dust can easily be removed by vacuuming.

Look good

Carpets are available in a wide range of colours and patterns to suit any decor style.

With so many benefits, it’s no surprise that carpets are becoming more and more popular.

Can carpet tiles be used on stairs?

Many home and business owners in both Chester and parts of North Wales like Wrexham choose carpet tiles as a floor surface. That is because this material can be fitted simply and quickly and is not expensive.

Stairs are a part of a home or business that will see a great deal of traffic. People walk up and down them every single day and the flooring used to cover them must be able to withstand that. So are carpet tiles suitable?

Durability

Stairs tend to get a lot of use in both residential and commercial properties. Almost everyone living or working within the building will probably use the stairs to get from one place to another a minimum of two times each day.

That is a lot of footfall, so the material used as flooring must be extremely hardwearing. Good-quality carpet tiles are highly durable and can be expected to last for over a decade once they have been fitted. That will suit the needs of most business or home buyers.

Cost

Carpet tiles are a much less expensive option than hard or engineered wood, not least because the process of installing them is easier and quicker. That makes them a good choice for the staircase in either a home or a business.

Furthermore, if one part of a stair carpet becomes worn or damaged, a single tile can be replaced rather than the entire thing. That will save further money.

Maintenance

Keeping staircase carpet tiles clean is typically just a matter of vacuuming them. They generally come with low piles, something which helps to prevent dirt and grime from becoming trapped in them.

This means maintenance costs for businesses are kept to a minimum, while homeowners do not have to spend long periods of time each week keeping their stairs looking clean.

Fitting

When it comes to fitting carpet tiles to stairs, the best way is not to cut sheet carpet rolls for every step and nosing. Instead, individual tiles should be fitted into place on the stairs, before being trimmed to ensure they are a perfect fit.

That might seem like a lot of work, but it is actually quicker than trying to fit standard sheet carpeting. Getting a professional to do the job will be better if you want top-quality results though.

Carpet tiles are ideal for either commercial or residential staircases. Look to a firm with plenty of experience to get them fitted quickly and perfectly.