Carpet questions again...

[mo]

Right, off to buy some new carpet for my bedroom tomorrow (relativley small area - less tham 3m squared I think)

As I posted earlier (last month) I have a slight problem with floorboards not being even (i.e some are slightly higher than others....) Suggestions to fix this were:

1) use underlay or 2) cover the floor in hardboard.

If I take the hardboard option its likely I will cover the whole floor just to get a nice flat finish (probably staple down) - is it best to put the rough side down on the floor or facing upwards to 'grip' the carpet ?

I am unsure what type of carpet I am gonna get but if I spend loads on hardboard I am unlikely to fork out for underlay - perhaps buy a slightly thicker carpet or something.........

I am also considering the possiblity of sanding down some boards if theres only a few that are casuing a nuisance - is this wise? I don't want to make then too 'thin'

Also, whats the best method to 'stick' carpet to the ground? spray? grips? tacks? - either the (floorboard/underlay/carpet) or (floorboard/hardboard/carpet) option....?

Finally, whats the best (cheap) tool to use to cut hardboard with - any cheap saws i could possibly buy from Argos? (I plan to take up the carpet tomorrow night and inspect it and make any changes/fit carpet on Sunday.

Thanks!

[chris French]

In message , mo writes

What sort of difference in height?

Yes, otherwise you would get a 'step'

don't think it matters, I'd probably lay it smooth side down.

Bad idea,

1. you won't spend loads on hardboard for small room, it's very cheap.

1. It's false economy, it's much better to spend a bit more on underlay and get a cheaper carpet, than no underlay.

That is what I would probably look to do, though I would probably use a plane rather than a sander -quicker, and for the finish you need, perfectly good

Underlay doesn't need fixing, the carpet over the top is usually fitted using gripper rods (the wooden strips with metal spikes) around the edge.

If you did go the no underlay route then I would use double sided carpet tape.

Yep, pick up cheap hard point saw.

[david lang]

Wot Chris said - and;

Try & get free fitting!

B&Q/Homebase have electric jigsaws for a tenner.

Dave

[80/20]

Hardboard is relatively cheap and if you get the right deal at the carpet shop go for free installation.

A hardpoint saw will cost you £3 to £4 pounds at one of the sheds so I would take that route. A jigsaw is difficult to use on hardboard unless you have it really well supported.

Bear in mind that a floor that is stepped, as against uneven, will cause the hardboard to breakdown over a period of time. 4mm ply would be a better option then.

[chris French]

Yeah, but it's be easier using hand saw than a jigsaw for hard board

>

[fred]

In article , chris French writes

Scoring and breaking the hardboard will save on the dust, save the cutting for the fiddly bits. I used cheapy serrated tin snips for the tight details, very quick.

Rough side up is prob best for the hardboard if it is going to be stapled, better grip on the u/lay or foam on the back of a cheapy carpet.

I also tape the hardboard seams with gaffa tape.

[Dave Liquorice]

How much is slightly. A mm or perhaps two would be taken up by decent underlay without fuss. By decent I mean something along the lines of

9mm Cloud Nine, not a bit of pulverised rubber on a loose weave hesian carrier.

Carpet without underlay is not nice. Even foam backed carpet without underlay isn't nice. This is a bedroom you want something soft for your feet. Also bear in mind that underlay is not just about the feel either, it significantly lengthens the life of the carpet.

I wouldn't stick a carpet down. Grips if the carpet is suitable, tacks or staples otherwise.

[mo]

Thanks for the replies.

As things have worked out today I wont be able to do any work other than take the carpet off tonight (about 10pm!)

Hopefully I can take some pictures or something so you can see for yourself...

I can definitley feel the differences underneath my feet.......

I do not fancu the extra work of hardboard cutting/sticking down so hopefully a underlay will sort me out.

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

The thing with hardboard is...you won't have to by underlay again which in the long term is a saving. :-)

-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

[mo]

but I got a feeling hardboard will take more time to put down - especially if I have to start cutting it to fit in with the shape of my room :)

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

Sharp stanley knife and a straight edge works wonders on cutting HB. :-)

-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

[Lobster]

Yes you will - as has already been pointed out, hardboard is not an alternative to using underlay...

David

[Chris Bacon]

9 sq m., then.

Depends, as probably said before, *how* uneven.

I don'y think it actually matters much - lay the smooth side up.

You won't *spend loads* on hardboard.

You really ought to consider good underlay. My preference is for felt. Carpet fitters might have a different opinion - why, you ask?

Surely it's not *that* bad? What's the difference in height?

The ground is outside. It all depends on what carpet you are putting down. Grippers with carpet above "crap" level, on underlay. Spray glue for "felt backed" carpet on board or concrete. "Depends" with hardboard.

A perfectly ordinary panel saw for a fiver will be quite OK. Support the hardboard as you cut it. An assistant to help support the stuff might be useful, to stop it breaking as you get near the edge.

[Owain]

That's rather presumptuous, the OP might be living in central London :-)

Owain