The seaming diagram
Shows the overall layout of the carpet, the correct placement of seams and transitions, and assists installers in the preparation and cutting of the carpet.
Seams are usually inevitable but can be minimized and well hidden. Seams should be away from areas subjected to traffic, and should not be run perpendicular to doorway openings.
Low cut pile and looped carpets can show the placement of the seam tape more than other styles of carpet. This is referred to as telegraphing, or peaking, and should be considered when deciding on type of carpet and placement of seams.
Considerations when measuring for carpet
- The direction of the nap (All connecting rooms need to lay down the same direction) this is because the carpet nap lays down one way and stands up the other way and looks darker one way and lighter the other way. Although it may seem like you can save a couple of yards by ‘flipping’ a piece to fit and seam in a room or hall It will be obvious and look bad if the adjoining pieces don’t have the nap running in the same direction.
- Like wallpaper, some carpets have a pattern match that must be figured into the total and you must know the pattern repeat.
- Seams should be located away from traffic paths when possible.
The ABC’s of carpet measuring will give you a basic estimate.
Step A
Draw a simple diagram of your home and ensure the measurements are accurate. If you have a two story home, then do two drawings, one for upper , one for lower.
Step B
Measure each room and write down the measurements on your diagram. Round up each measurement to the nearest 1/2 foot mark. For example; if your room is 15 feet 3 inches long, round it up to 15 feet 6 inches or 15.5.
If your room is 15 feet 8 inches long round it up to 16 feet or 16.0
Always mark the length first, then the width (ie 15 x 10.5)
Step C
Make a list of your measurements and multiply the length by the width of each room. Then add them up for a total square footage. for example:
Living room 27.5 x 15.0 = 412.5
Hall 16.0 x 4.5 = 72.0
Bedroom 1 16.0 x 9.5 = 152.0
Bedroom 2 16.0 x 9.5 = 152.0
__________________________788.5 square feet
Step D
Add 10% to the total. This makes allowances for seams and other extra carpet needed to complete the job.
788 + 78 = 866 square feet
To get the total yardage, divide the square footage by 9.
866 divided by 9 = 96.22 square yards.
Measuring Carpet for Stairs:
Measuring for stairs can tricky. Some stairs are wrapped over one or both sides and some have to be upholstered requiring additional material, some are pie shaped and are very difficult to measure, and some have landings that must be considered.
For a quick reference to determining yardage required look at the quick measuring chart.
For more information on measuring carpet
Carpet Calculator
For more information: (905) 802-4791
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