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Original poster

Clueless about Carpets!

22 replies

BumpPlus2 · 13/02/2012 09:43

Hi,
I need to re-carpet my DS's bedrooms following decorating but have never bought a carpet and have NO idea where to start.Confused
I know I want a beigey, browny flecky neutral colour but that's about it!
I want a relatively hard wearing carpet (have 3 DS's) but one that's also got a bit of softness and warmth to it unlike the cardboard carpets that came with the house.
Help me please! What pile do I need? Any tips on where to go (I know John Lewis do carpets but assuming pricey?) I am in Northants area.
Thanks SO much! Smile

OP posts:
Seona1973 · 13/02/2012 09:46

we got ours from carpet right. They have samples instore and will come and measure up for free and price it up for you.

fatsamsgrandslam · 13/02/2012 09:47

Whereabouts in northants? I know a good place in Corby.

FlyingTeapot · 13/02/2012 11:13

Carpet right have some good offers. We got a Kosset one, which was 40% off and then because we bought it on a certain day we got another 10% off. Something worth thinking about though is underlay - it really does make a difference. We bought cloud 9 as recommended on here, and our fitter said it was the best underlay money could buy. I felt like I was on a bouncy castle for a while Smile and then walking on the non cloud 9 area of the house is like walking on floorboards!

Original poster
BumpPlus2 · 13/02/2012 11:15

Thanks so much for the replies - especially you FlyingTeapot that underlay sounds just what we need to muffle our squeaky floors a little!!

OP posts:
FlyingTeapot · 13/02/2012 11:18

Forgot to say, we bought the underlay online not carpet right, and the carpet we chose is guaranteed stain free for life and can be cleaned with bleach (! Confused) also see link below for free carpet samples

here

FlyingTeapot · 13/02/2012 11:18

You are most welcome Smile

cece · 13/02/2012 11:20

You need an 80/20 wool mix. Generally considered good for looks, hard wearing and softness.

If you are doing one room it might be worth considering a room size cut off.

It is better to buy more expensive underlay and slightly cheaper carpet if money is tight.
Don't forget to get gripper if you need it. Who is going to fit it?

My dad is a carpet fitter. He doesn't rate Carpet Right - I think mainly because their offers aren't really offers as such - just the normal price for that quality of carpet made to look like an offer.

I always go to a warehouse place and buy offcuts.

cece · 13/02/2012 11:21

Plus you can negotiate on prices in these places ( well I do! Blush)

Original poster
BumpPlus2 · 13/02/2012 11:22

Thanks so much - cece MN is fab! Smile
I will be showing DH this thread tonight - just realised I must namechange...'bump' is almost 5 months old! Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
BumpPlus2 · 13/02/2012 11:23

Also - am doing 2 rooms - both doubles

OP posts:
CuppaTeaJanice · 13/02/2012 11:34

Carpetright were a lot more expensive than our local independent on the 'extras', although the carpet itself was a similar price/quality. For example, they have a £30 delivery charge, gripper rods were double the price, fitting £5 extra, more money for thinner underlay.

I'd go for a good thick (12mm) underlay with a bleach cleanable carpet. Polypropelyne(sp?) carpets are pretty good these days and a quality one should last 10-15 years+, by which time they will probably be ingrained with playdoh, mud, paint, silly putty and whatever dubious stains boys and teenagers get into their carpets, so you'll want to change it anyway! You can pick up a reasonable one for £10-15 per square metre (less if you can find a room sized offcut). Some of the cheaper ones, i.e. the ones you see actually in the shop on a roll for £7 per metre, can only last a couple of years before they start to look tatty, so best to spend a bit more if you can afford it.

charitygirl · 13/02/2012 11:39

Second recommendations to spend on underlay. Would also suggest visiting a local independent carpet retailer. Quality can obv vary, but they may well go the extra mile to meet your spec/budget.

For kid's rooms, I really like Berber, as opposed to twist carpets.

secondthought · 13/02/2012 12:25

Agree with advice above. We went for polypropelyne as liked the fact that you can clean it with bleach and also the feel of it was much softer than I expected. Actually preferred it to the 80/20 wool mix ones. We went for a local carpet shop as opposed to carpet right as we didn't get great service when we went in for a quote and also local shop gave us a pretty good price and seemed to be very knowledgable. Good underlay important as are good fitters.

MrsMagnolia · 13/02/2012 17:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

myron · 13/02/2012 19:25

Carpet warehouses open to the public as well as to trade. You will definitely get a better deal than Carpetright. I have just ordered 80/20 wool twist 40oz carpet in a neutral colour for 3 large bedrooms. I decided on 10mm underlay since I decided that the extra 1/2mm was not worth the extra cost (since I have to purchase flooring for the rest of the house too). The independent is fitting all 3 rooms for £125 which includes the gripper rods, etc. I'm also having the doors trimmed to fit by the same person for an extra £10 per door (don't forget that!).

myron · 13/02/2012 19:31

Obviously only £125 for the carpet fitting, excluding the carpet & underlay.

FlyingTeapot · 14/02/2012 00:00

That's a good deal myron! Mine was about 150 for the living room/diner - big room but all the same sounds like yours is cheaper. How does one go about finding a carpet warehouse?

cece · 14/02/2012 08:36

I use one called Carpet Town in Southall if that is any good to you.

Original poster
BumpPlus2 · 14/02/2012 14:13

Thanks to you all for your help! We will be heading out to our local independant this weekend to take a look at what's on offer with this thread as a reference guide! Grin
fatsamsgrandslam our closest main town is Northampton itself so Corby is a bit out of the way but thanks all the same

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 14/02/2012 14:40

I got mine from a trade supplier recommended by a friend with a furniture business. I suppose they must be in the yellow pages. Likely to be on an industrial estate not a retail park. Will be yard and warehouse, not a retail display, and you will need an idea of what colour/texture/mix/size/budget you have in mind. Although they will advise they are more used to dealing with trade buyers who spend thousands of pounds in ten minutes. They may not employ carpet fitters but should be able to recommend some. They should also be cheaper for accessories like grippers, tape and underlay, where I expect Carpetright make their money.

befuzzled · 14/02/2012 16:45

marking place as need some new stair carpets

myron · 14/02/2012 22:36

I found out the supplier of the local building development by asking at the Showhome. They also gave me a discount when I asked for one straightaway. I opted for one of their bulk buy special offers and they still gave £1 off per square metre for the carpet and 0.50p off per square metre for the underlay. I had already done my research and knew it to be a fair price so I only haggled a little bit more off before making the order.

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