Are carpet seams acceptable?

Seams are a vital part of the manufacturing of everything from clothes to carpets. For all that though, we do not often pay much attention to them and indeed it is easy to forget that they are there at all.

They only time that people are reminded of the seams on their clothing is when they start to fray and become too apparent to others. We think of seams as things that no one should really notice.

That is true of carpet seams as well, but does that mean that visible seams in a carpet are something that should be considered unacceptable?

When carpet seams are necessary

Most carpeting comes in one of three standard sizes – 12 inches, 13.6 inches and 15 inches. However, the rooms that carpets will be fitted in are often a lot less standardised in terms of size. If a carpet is to be laid in a room that is considerably bigger than any of the typical carpet sizes, then seams will be necessary. That is because more than one piece of carpet will be needed to cover the entire floor of the room.

This is particularly common in either very large rooms or in houses or buildings where the hallways are long. There is no way of avoiding carpet seams in that sort of situation.

Seams may be unavoidable in those circumstances, but if you employ a professional to install the carpeting, they will know methods that help to make them less overtly noticeable than if you were doing it yourself. That is partly a matter of reducing the actual visibility of the joins between the different pieces of carpet, but also of fitting the carpeting so that these joins are in less central places on the floor.

Situations in which seams are regarded as acceptable or unacceptable

There are different types of carpet seams, with some viewed as being less acceptable than others.

Unacceptable

A highly visible seam that marks the join between one piece of carpeting and another piece – which is termed a ‘split seam’ within the trade – is generally considered to be unacceptable. This will look unsightly and spoil the effect of the carpet.

Seams that are not fitted together well are also seen as being unacceptable, because they will leave large, visible gaps between the sections of carpeting. Again, the problem here is that they have a clear detrimental effect on the look of both the carpet and the room.

Another example is called ‘seam peaking’ and sees the seams of a carpet rising as peaks. That happens if the carpet gets stretched when it is being fitted, which sometimes happens when amateurs install it.

The last example of an unacceptable carpet seam is one that occurs when a carpet spends a long period folded up, causing a very visible crease. As you can see, seams that destroy the look of the carpet are regarded as bad.

Acceptable

An example of a carpet seam that would not generally be regarded within the trade as a problem is one where the carpet backing is flush all over the room it has been fitted in. This type of seam should have no tuft fibre gaps or overlays and will not be visible to the majority of people using the room, unless they are looking for it or are overly conscious of it.

The differences in seams between carpet types

Carpet seams will be more noticeable with some types of material than they are with others. Thick carpets are able to conceal the seams much more easily than thinner ones, so if visible seams are a deal-breaker for you, opting for something like a shag pile may be best.

Reasons why seams show

There can be various reasons for visible seams, with most of them caused by bad installation.

Seams unravelling

This happens when the carpet is not stuck to the floor properly. If it is not glued down securely, the movement can cause the seams to fray and unravel, which increases their visibility.

Seams splitting

If the carpet is fitted in a room that gets a lot of use and is not laid properly, its seams may split over time. A flooring professional will always lay the carpet so that the seams are well away from the main floor area and will deploy a seam roller to make sure the backing sticks properly.

Seam discolouration

This can happen if the carpet is installed using a sealing iron with too much heat. Again, it is not a mistake a professional will make, as it will ruin the effect of the carpet. Overly heavy seam weights can also bring about discoloured seams by preventing moisture from escaping.

Carpet seams are really only acceptable in certain limited circumstances and your carpet should be laid by a professional to avoid them.

What is the safest floor covering for seniors?

When it comes to putting down floor surfaces in the houses of older people, there are specific considerations that apply. Many people become less steady on their feet when they are elderly, so any choice of flooring should not exacerbate that by being slippery when it gets wet.

Equally, older people often have more brittle bones than those who are younger. This means that a fall can cause much more serious damage and, therefore, the floor choices should militate against that by providing some cushioning.

There is more than one type of flooring that will be a safe option for the elderly though, so we have provided more details of each of them in this piece.

Carpeting

Putting carpets on the floors of a home that will occupied by an elderly person is by far the best and safest choice. For one thing carpets provide just the sort of softening effect that will help to ensure that, if he or she does suffer a fall, it is less likely to result in a major injury.

Another big benefit of fitting carpets on the floors of an elderly person’s home is that they are very effective at retaining warmth in a room. That is because carpets seal off gaps, preventing heat from escaping. We all tend to feel the cold more as we get older, so carpets are a great choice for frequently used rooms like the living room and bedroom.

It is important to vacuum them regularly though, as the dust and dirt they trap can lead to respiratory issues. Also, they are not really suited to kitchens and bathrooms, where spillages and water could damage them.

Carpet tiles

Having carpets fitted is an option that can sometimes be costly, but there are cheaper alternatives like carpet tiles. These are smaller, square tiles made from the same sorts of materials as standard carpets but are generally less expensive to buy and easier to fit.

They provide the same benefits for an older person as regular carpeting, being soft under the feet and helping to stop the heat escaping from a room. This will be the second-best flooring choice for the home of an old person if carpets are beyond their budget.

Vinyl

At first vinyl might seem like it would be a bad choice, because it can be slippery. However, it is possible to get vinyl floors that have been finished in a way that takes away that slipperiness. The best way would be to go for luxury vinyl tiling (LVT) floors rather than standard vinyl.

One reason for this is that luxury vinyl is more likely to have that finishing added to it before installation. Another is that it is always thicker than standard vinyl.

Often luxury vinyl can be up to 8 mm in thickness, whereas standard vinyl floors are a lot thinner than that. Older people will find that luxury vinyl feels much more comfortable underfoot while also giving them greater cushioning in the event of a fall.

Linoleum

Linoleum flooring will be a good choice for the homes of older people in those rooms where carpets are not suitable. That means the likes of the bathroom and the kitchen.

One reason for this is that it can be cleaned very easily after spillages, by wiping it with a wet cloth or a mop. That is very important for the elderly, as they will not want to have to do a lot of hard cleaning work and easy to maintain flooring will ensure they do not need to pay out for a cleaner.

Another benefit of linoleum is that it does not rot when water gets on it, which will be an issue in bathrooms. Finally, it is a very smooth, flat type of floor surface, which means that both walkers and wheelchairs will be able to move easily over it.

Floor surfaces to avoid

Those are the four best flooring choices to make when you are furnishing a home for someone who is elderly, but there is one that should be avoided too.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is a less than ideal option for the home of someone advanced in years, because it provides almost no traction underfoot, which will increase the risk of a fall. If that does happen, a laminate floor will also do very little to break the impact.

Then there is the fact that it is not a floor surface that provides much insulation, so it will not help to trap the heat in a room. This may leave an older person having to pay more in heating bills during the cold months, especially if they live somewhere like Wrexham or Chester where the winters are chilly.

Now you know what the best floors for older people are and more detailed information can be secured from professional flooring experts.

The top living room colour trends for 2023

Every year, interior design experts predict the living room colour trends for the upcoming year. These influence the carpet colours that people choose for their homes.

2023 is the year when colours will be influenced by nature. Expect to see carpets in rich shades of green, blue and deep browns that bring a sense of calmness to a living room.

Interior designer Tiffany Duggan says:

"I think nature-inspired hues, alongside rich browns and pale creams, will dominate colour choices in 2023."

She recommends offsetting blues and greens with warmer shades like warm caramel or dirty pink.

Not all 2023 colour trends are expected to feature rich deep shades. Some households prefer pastel colours that are cheerful and reassuring.

Another trend is to blend skirting boards into the design of a room, painting them deep brown or rich green. Alternatively, choose a bold colour for the skirting board to contrast with the colour of the carpet. Designer Ruth Mottershead recommends painting the skirting boards black or dark grey with a bright coloured wallpaper.

One popular colour trend is influenced by spices with fabric manufacturers using colour names like “Peppercorn” and “Mustard.” A lime green carpet goes well with furniture, table, and objects in rich brown spice-influenced colours.

Interior design colour trends can be a source of inspiration when choosing the colours of carpets in Chester and North Wales homes. Of course, favourite interior design colours can be based on personal preferences rather than current or future trends.

Ice cubes and a teaspoon remove carpet furniture marks

A woman has demonstrated on social media how to get rid of unsightly indents on a carpet made by furniture using only ice cubes and a teaspoon.

When heavy furniture such as chairs and tables have been on a carpet then moved, indent marks are left where the legs have been. A TikTok user with the handle @cleaningwithcharlotte has found a simple way to remove them. She posted a step-by-step tutorial video on how this is done. The video shows a mirrored table moved to reveal four indents on the carpet. An ice cube is placed on each of the indents, then allowed to melt. Charlotte uses a teaspoon to gently fluff up the carpet. The indents disappear with no trace of them on the cream carpet.

The video ends with a before and after comparison image. Charlotte wrote a caption to the video, declaring:

“This works so well.”

An alternative method suggested by one commentator was to cover the marks with a damp cloth, then use a steam iron to remove them.

Carpets in Chester, Wrexham and North Wales homes are popular because they make rooms feel warm and cosy. A quality carpet lasts a long time provided it is looked after well. Regular vacuuming and a deep clean by a professional at least once a year will keep it in top condition. Spills and dropped items need cleaning up promptly. If furniture is moved, the indents they leave can be removed at virtually no cost.

Designer reveals top carpet trends for 2022

Interior designer Traci Connell has spoken about the trends she is seeing for carpets in 2022.

Wall to wall carpets in Chester, Wirral and North Wales homes and offices continue to be a popular choice of floor covering. Hard surface flooring such as vinyl, wood and laminate are found in many homes, but carpets are making a comeback for several reasons. Traci Connell has highlighted the current trends which influence why carpets are a good floor covering choice.

Consumers love deep pile carpets; these provide a lush texture under their feet rather than hard surfaces. Pet owners appreciate that many carpets are available with pet protection properties. There is a large concern for protecting the environment, which is why consumers prefer natural materials. Wool carpets are made from a natural fibre that is also easy to clean.

The durability of decent quality carpets has increased, extending their life. Grant Kirkpatrick is a designer that recommends that his clients choose long lasting flooring rather than a less durable one that is chosen for primarily aesthetic and cost reasons. He says:

“People choose the cheapest option when they should think of the long term.”

Wool is long lasting, but carpets made with nylon last longer. Cheap carpets are thin, which means they do not insulate a room from the cold subfloor. A wool carpet with a thermal insulation underlay is much better for keeping a room warmer. With heating costs escalating, a good quality carpet can reduce energy bills.