INTD 54—Basic Materials and Finishes
Carpet Checklist
SELECTION CHECKLIST
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Review fiber content with the client relative to installation, maintenance and durability issues (see B1A for more information).
Appearance of artificial fibers has been checked in bright, natural light.
The client has been advised (if applies) that tolerances for flaws and inconsistent colors are more lenient for carpet categorized as
"commercial carpeting" than “residential.”
Backing does not show as carpet wraps over the nose of stair treads.
A sample of carpet and pad has been sent to the client, architect and/or contractor to check door clearances and height of adjacent
surfaces.
A current sample of any natural material under consideration has been requested (see B1B for more information).
The installer has reviewed the sample of any patterned or questionable goods under consideration and will guarantee satisfactory match.
Direction and placement of pattern (or border) has been considered relative to site, space configuration and furnishings (click B1C for more
information).
It has been suggested to the client that additional carpet could be ordered (see B1D for more information).
Protective sealing has been recommended to the client if indicated.
The client has been alerted to the fact that installers charge extra to move furniture if applicable.
Flooring diagram shows detail wherever carpet meets other flooring materials (see B1E for more information).
Seaming diagram has been reviewed with the client. The client has approved and initialed the diagram if necessary (see B1F for more
information).
Seaming diagram has been approved prior to any goods being ordered.
Padding characteristics have been reviewed
For adhesive installations, sub-floor must be clean, dry, and free from contaminates that may interfere with adhesion. (see B1G for more
information).
SPECIFICATION CHECKLIST
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Specification for carpet should include any of the following which apply: (see B1H for more information).
Manufacturer and description
Face Weight
Composition/Fiber
Construction
Primary Backing
Secondary Backing
Pile height
Face (cut pile, loop, combination)
Width of goods as ordered and in the case of stair runners width of installed runner
Size of pattern repeat
Flammability rating (for contract work)
Binding if applicable
Applicable clarifying remarks have been added to the proposal to the client and to the purchase order (see B1I for more information).
Ship-to for any material that you are ordering for installation by others.
At this time it is a good idea to consider or confirm the following:
 Additional carpet for repairs and special treatments (such as carpet base) is on order if advisable.
 Protective sealant (as approved by Mfg.) application is scheduled as soon after installation as is practical.
 Finish (see B1J for more information).
 If the supplier is not the same entity as the installer share the following with the supplier of the goods to confirm compatibility and insure
warranties.
 Padding type and thickness (see B1K for more information).
 Threshold type ('T'-bar 'Z'-bar, wood, other) and locations in which various thresholds are to be used
 Method of installation (see B1J & B1L for more information).
At time of ordering it is a good idea to request from the supplier:
 A current sample (requested during selection process) or a piece of the memo sample is included with order if necessary and a sample
has been retained for your records.
 Care instructions
 Installation recommendations
Keep the above samples and diagrams in your records along with:
 The name of sales contact and written quotation .
At time of ordering it is a good idea to request from the installer:
 Seaming diagram showing direction of goods (see B1F for more information)
 Quote for removal and disposal of existing carpeting if that has not been handled by demolition
Instructions to the installer specify as applicable:
 Threshold type ('T'-bar 'Z'-bar, wood, other) and locations in which various thresholds are to be used
 Shoe and carpet rods
 Method of installation (see B1J & B1L for more information).
 Description and plan of the area to be carpeted and instructions on methods and hardware to be used (see B1M for more information).
 Description of special conditions (see B1L for more information).
 Seaming diagram is not approved until the owner or designer has Returned a signed copy
 Minor differences in grade or thickness of adjoining carpet are to be "corrected" by the use of a thicker pad under parts of carpet,
thresholds can be brought to closer alignment with shims or floors “floated” with Gypcrete.
 All carpeting is to run in the same direction, seaming diagram is to indicate direction along length of goods with an arrow
 Wrinkles that appear within the first three months will be stretched out by installer at no additional cost.
 Carpet ends to be turned under. No exposed transition strips. No tack strip to be used across doorways.
 Installer is responsible field measure and is to confirm quantity prior to placement of the order.
 Carpeting to be unrolled and inspected prior to delivery to site.
 Carpet and related materials must be stored in a heated, dry space.
 Carpet to be unrolled and adequately relaxed prior to commencement of installation.
 Other trades must have completed their work before carpet can be installed.
 Carpet to be installed only after the HVAC system is operational with the temperature maintained above 65ºF (18ºC) and the relative
humidity below 65%.
FOR STAIRS
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Carpet rods (if desired) have been selected and ordered. Specify: length, finials/ends, brackets, finish (material and lacquer if applicable).
Style of installation to be used has been described (see B1J for more information).
Patterned carpet on curved stairs has been laid out for best alignment of the pattern (see B1N for more information).
INSTALLATION CHECKLIST
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Floor was cleared of all debris prior to installation (see B1O for more information).
Seaming diagram has been followed by installer and all goods are running in the same direction.
Check for cleanliness of site–no glue, fasteners or small carpet scraps have been left; carpeting has been vacuumed. (large scraps have
been saved at clients’ direction for patching).
Seaming is inconspicuous, there are no loose yarns or raised loops.
Step on carpeting in doorways to confirm that tack strips have not been used in doorways where there will be foot falls.
No wrinkles, exposed cut edges, damaged or flattened fibers are discernable
When two or more pieces of the same carpet are seamed together, the pile is to run in the same direction.
A properly constructed seam may not be invisible, but should be well-made. (see B1P for more information).
ADDITIONAL CARPETING INFORMATION
B1A It is difficult (or impossible) to remove stains from vegetable-based fibers (like sisal and sea grass). Include a statement on the contract for
the goods that acknowledges this. Use only experienced installers to install sisal and inform client that seams will always show. The cost of
installing sisal is usually higher than the cost of installing carpeting.
B1B Some "raffia"-type fibers are green if harvested in the spring and brown if
harvested in the fall. These fibers will darken in color as they age.
B1C Check how the pattern will:
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Relate to the shape of the room (does it enhance the visual organization of the space / does it distract attention from a disorganized
configuration?)
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Work within the size of the size room (if you violate the obvious issues of scale be certain that you do so with good reason)
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Layout along natural viewpoints within the room (does the pattern seem to have a "top" and "bottom" that should lay in a particular
direction?)
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Work with the furniture arrangement—especially if the pattern is large; a large motif just slightly "off center" will look like a mistake so draw
the pattern to scale with a furniture plan overlay and check the best placement of pattern - forward this to the installer with the request for
quantity estimates and to the supplier so the pattern can be accommodated.
B1D Order additional carpeting for future replacement of damaged carpet as well as additional stair carpeting to turn under against last riser so as
carpet wears risers can become treads and extend the life of the installation as stairs are subject to the greatest wear.
B1E Change material in the center of a doorway / under door in closed position so only one material shows when the door is closed.
B1F Review seaming diagram paying special attention to "patching- in” which should occur in inconspicuous areas (such as closets) and not in
bright areas (near windows).
Seams that occur in traffic areas run parallel to traffic not across it. Seams should be kept to a minimum and positioned so that where possible:
Seams should run the length of the area.
Natural light does not strike across the seam.
Seams are away from areas subject to pivoting traffic.
Seams are not perpendicular to doorway openings.
B1G Concrete–must be properly placed, finished, cured, and free of excessive moisture and alkali. Wood–must be structurally sound with
adequate underneath ventilation.
B1H A little redundancy can help confirm the correctness of a specification so include a description with your item number identification which
includes fiber, color, texture, construction, face weight, thickness and any other descriptive info.
B1I Examples of such remarks include (but are not limited to):
This order has been estimated based on a take-off from a plan. An actual site measure will be made to confirm quantities. The mount of carpet
required to complete the job will be ordered and any difference between this estimate and the final order will be reflected on the final invoice.
Grass products such as sisal and seagrass will oxidize over time. This color change is not a defect in the material but a desirable characteristic as
the material mellows with age. In-coming material may vary from samples presented due to the same mellowing process.
B1J Additional treatments may have been added post-production (flame proofing, soil repellency, etc.) Furthermore- your client may require
additional treatments that will not be provided by the manufacturer .Ask manufacturer for recommended products and forward the manufacturers
recommendations to your client for approval before proceeding with any additional processes.
B1K Padding types: Felt—Uncoated or rubberized animal hair or synthetic fiber;
classified by ounces per square yard Rubber—Rippled, flat or sponge latex foam;
classified by ounces per square yard Urethane—prime, densified, grafted, or bonded; classified by pounds per-cubic-foot.
B1L Four double glue-down the rubber pad (will not soak up all the glue) should be glued to the sub-floor and the carpet should be glued to the
pad. A double glue down application prevents the weight of the heavy equipment from shifting the carpet and/or pad.
Glue out-gases fumes that can damage wine in a wine cellar.
B1M Describe those particulars regarding the installation which will be required. For example: "cap and band", “Hollywood” or "waterfall
installation" on stairs. Cap & band method for curved stairs or control of pattern requires each riser and tread to be cut separately and has a tack
strip under the nose of the stair tread and at bottom of riser. Waterfall method for a straight run is a continuous length of goods with a tack strip at
the bottom of the riser / the back of the tread but not under the nosing. Hollywood, also for a straight run, is continuous goods like waterfall
installations but is tacked under the nosing and at the back of the tread.
Should treads be upholstered? Must the installer wrap spindles (birdcage). Describe how stairs and upper and lower level carpeting are to connect.
Do stairs “splay out” and should carped runner splay also or run straight?
Is a border to be used? Should it be hand sewn or taped? How are the edges bound (turned and taped? Machine bound/serged? Bound with
decorative tape?
B1N When patterned carpet is used on curved stairs cap and band may be the only way to make the pattern match. This is more labor-intensive
and involves greater waste, which makes it more expensive.
B1O "Litter" will be discernable under carpet over time as it will "telegraph” through as a bump under the carpet.
B1P A well-constructed seam has the following characteristics:
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Has cleanly trimmed edges properly secured with appropriate adhesive prior to seaming.
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Has tightly abutted edges without gaps or overlaps.
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Maintains uniform appearance on the surface of the carpet.
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For stretch-in installation, the use of a power stretcher is mandatory.