Which is the best method for carpet install?

[bolst3r]

Quick overview. Small upstairs extension means our landing and stairs need re-carpeting. Currently same carpet throughout entire upstairs so will be matching like for like. It's a long landing, leading into an open mezzanine/office area which means there are two options when installing. Had two people around to quote, both seemed good, but both suggested difference methods, which leaves us unsure of the best route so keen for some advice:

Method one:
• Turn the carpet to the longest length and run as a single piece (no join)
• This means the carpet will run the wrong way on the stairs, as it's wool, it means the weave will open up as it wraps over the face of the stairs
= The person quoted, and said there is no good place to join the carpet on the landing, and whilst it's not ideal, running the carpet the other way is the lesser of two evils

Method two:
• Join the carpet going into the mezzanine as it's not as high traffic as the rest of the landing
• Means the stairs can be run the correct way
= This person said the join wouldn't be noticeable, and strong from hot joining, and the stairs won't prematurely wear

What method would people suggest is the best?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Murdochcat]

Method 3

Get a 3rd opinion

 

[RandomGrinch]

the join wouldn't be noticeable, and strong from hot joining, and the stairs won't prematurely wear

If done well, a joint shouldn't be noticeable.
If you're worried about a join, you could ask if they've any examples in their portfolio?

 

[bolst3r]

Method 3

Get a 3rd opinion

We do have another company coming around but I wasn't sure if there was a rule of thumb or certain things that are a 'no-no'. I guess that's what i'm looking to understand. I'm also not sure an additional quote will answer that question

 

[bolst3r]

If done well, a joint shouldn't be noticeable.
If you're worried about a join, you could ask if they've any examples in their portfolio?

I've seen joins done before, so I know they can be quite inconspicuous if done correctly, but I was sure if they opened up over time and were best avoided. Wondered if running the carpet the wrong way on the stairs would be a worse solution...

 

[RandomGrinch]

I've seen joins done before, so I know they can be quite inconspicuous if done correctly, but I was sure if they opened up over time and were best avoided. Wondered if running the carpet the wrong way on the stairs would be a worse solution...

Your results may vary, but with an offcut running the wrong way - my carpet is quite 'crinkly' around the nosing...

 

[foxhole]

No reason a stair carpet has to be one piece, you could turn carpet for use on stairs and cover any number of steps with smaller sections as easy to join on stairs without any visible joints .

 

[crazydaze]

They are both ‘correct’

General rule of thumb IF the carpet opens over the nose run the ‘wrong’ way is fit it the
Other way with a join.

Some wool carpets will run the ‘wrong’ way without opening up, it’s generally accepted you may get premature loss of appearance/wear at the top step.

If you take the seam option you HAVE to accept the seam won’t be invisible but should improve with time over the years, potentially it will always be a weaker part of the install especially if it’s a high traffic area.

 

[bolst3r]

This is all super helpful. This is definitely more of an issue due to the carpet being wool I've got a sample and have folded it each way to try and simulate how it would look/open up over the nose of the steps.

You can see the lines start to open up in the second image.

What do you think?

 

[bolst3r]

Your results may vary, but with an offcut running the wrong way - my carpet is quite 'crinkly' around the nosing...

View attachment 363664

yeah, can't really tell on that carpet, could run it either way and it wouldn't be too noticeable, really appreciate the images, i've uploaded my own

 

[bolst3r]

No reason a stair carpet has to be one piece, you could turn carpet for use on stairs and cover any number of steps with smaller sections as easy to join on stairs without any visible joints .

with that thinking, the first step could go one way, with the rest going the other.

 

[crazydaze]

This is all super helpful. This is definitely more of an issue due to the carpet being wool I've got a sample and have folded it each way to try and simulate how it would look/open up over the nose of the steps.

You can see the lines start to open up in the second image.

What do you think?

View attachment 363983View attachment 363982

If you plan to run it over the step and down the face of the first riser, it will only ever sit at 45 degrees, not 180 degrees like you are holding it! Of course if it runs fully over the first riser ‘waterfall’ running the wrong way, the design will be different to the direction on the rest of the stairs.

If you hold a Wilton or Axminster like that, you’ll clearly see the backing.

You have two choices, the seam option is technically the better solution ‘by the book’ but both options are available to you.