Aureus Installation - 800-367-2508

Patterned carpet installation demands the expertise of a trained professional installer, as well as added time and effort compared to broadloom instillation. Northwest Carpets, Inc. recommends Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA) – affiliated installers, PH: 706-226-5448; and Certified Floorcovering Installation associates (CFIA), PH: 816-231-4564.

Material shortage on custom carpets can be expensive. Allow for sufficient material to assure pattern match and adherence to other installation methods – especially with large pattern repeats. Having sufficient material requires careful planning.

To assure best side matching, install carpet in consecutive order of roll numbers, lowest to highest.

Directional arrows are back-stamped on each roll, indicating manufacture and install directions.
Determine and mark seam locations in advance. Make cuts, loose-lay appropriately, and allow material to acclimate before installing.
Every edge for seaming requires precise trimming to assure matched patterns,. For good results, cut into each length about an inch to form an “L” at each match point for the full seam length. Then, use the “L’s” to form a straight edge, so carpet can be cut from the rear along that edge. Take care to cut just deep enough to separate the backing. Cut too deep and the yarn row may be too low, resulting in poor seaming.
Pattern repeats may vary slightly between rolls. These manufacturing tolerances are normal and can be adjusted during installation.
Pattern matching should start at the center of the length of carpet, allowing pattern variances to be worked in opposite directions. Stay-nailing and stretching may be need at intervals to bring the carpet into perfect match. Alternating from side to side in stretching may also be needed because of pattern repeat variances never being uniform within a carpet length.

A patterned carpet containing a minimum of two-inch pattern skew in 15 feet, or 1.5 inches of bowing within a 12-foot width is suitable for proper installation. If variance exceeds these guidelines, stop installation and contact Northwest Carpets, Inc. Technical Services Department: 1-800-367-2508

Corridor Patterns

When corridor patterns are 7.5 feet or less wide, split the roll length-wise precisely down the center, using a straight edge. Be careful to leave equal amounts of solid (unprinted) base material on both sides of the pattern. Northwest Carpets, Inc. material should have cut line for ease of cutting.

WIDTH-WISE: To center in the corridor widthwise, maintain an equal distance from the pattern edge to the wall along both sides. Measuring from only one wall will not allow for variances in wall trueness and pattern alignment. Windowing each carpet side at intervals is required to properly measure the distance between the pattern edge and the wall. For a stretched-over-cushion installation, offset the centering about ¼” toward the wall from which the carpet is to be stretched. For installing direct-glue down, offset centering measurements are not needed.

LENGTH-WISE: Center length-wise down the corridor such that the caps install an equal distance from each end wall (unless otherwise instructed). Mark and measure the midpoint of the corridor length to center lengthwise. Then the carpet can be adjusted for the pattern repeat to either begin or center over the midpoint, depending on the desired spacing at each end.

To accurately cut the cap at the pattern edge, make four or five 1-inch cuts from the carpet face equally spaced across the cap width; then, cut the cap from the back, using the 1-inch face cuts to keep a straight edge. This avoids cross-cutting the yarn that could cause poor seaming. Generally, the cap matches the corridor pattern with minimal adjustment. Variances of less than ¾ inches between cap and corridor pattern are workable. But stay-nailing and stretching either the cap or the corridor pattern may be necessary to reach correct alignment. If variance exceeds ¾ inch tolerance, stop installing and call Northwest Carpets, Inc. Technical Services Department: 1-800-367-2508

Long corridors will require anchoring and stretching the carpet in opposite directions from the anchor. Desirable stretch is 1 – 1.5%. A premium grade underlayment with a minimum 8-pound density is recommended.

Use a premium multipurpose adhesive and properly seal all seams. Use a 1/8” x 1/8” x 1/8” 4-notch trowel. Smooth buckles and bubbles using a 75-lb. roller. Consult your Northwest Carpets, Inc. representative for a list of adhesives and other installation products. Complying with these guidelines and using good installation methods should assure a quality completed installation.

Corner and border patterns will require cutting the droll at the cut lines with a small cut from the face at each end of the cutting lines. Use a straight edge to cut between the small cuts from the back. Take care to cut no deeper than the backing. Cutting beyond the backing into the yarn will cause a long row. After all borders and corners have been cut, gauge match by moving the corner down a border section to the point of match. Cut borders to length desired, taking into account the pattern repeat. Install corners with borders from the same roll whenever possible.

The width of the bleed-out between the border and the room walls may not be constant due to pattern size and room dimensions.

Lay out corners and borders following cutting and measure between the borders to determine field carpet size. Lay out borders and corners on dry substrate with the field glued in place to judge proper positioning. For conventionally backed products, use a 1/8” x 1/8” x 1/8” U-notch trowel. Fold back half the border and spread adhesive. Before placing border into adhesive, apply seam sealer to the field backing edge.

Once seam sealer has been applied to a seam, position corners. Use Roberts 10-117 Mini-Stretcher, dead man and power stretcher, or knee kicker to move the border and corner for a matched pattern.

All seams should be factored to assure good results. Until adhesive sets, stay-nails may be advised. Use a 75-lb. carpet roller to eliminate bubbles and smooth bubbles.

These installation procedures adhere, where applicable, to the guidelines and principles endorsed by the Carpet and Rug Institute in CRT 104-96, Standard for Installation of Commercial Textile Floorcovering Materials. Copies can be obtained from: The Carpet and Rug Institute, Publications Dept., P.O. Box 2048, Dalton, GA 30722-2048, PH: 705-278-0232


		Contact AUREUS	Go to Pattern Repeats


The Aureus Design Style The Alto Chroma Fiber Gallery Products Design Services Contact Us Help Desk WOW! Calendar Library / Links Visit Northwest Carpets Home	Qualified Professional Installation Patterned carpet installation demands the expertise of a trained professional installer, as well as added time and effort compared to broadloom instillation. Northwest Carpets, Inc. recommends Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA) – affiliated installers, PH: 706-226-5448; and Certified Floorcovering Installation associates (CFIA), PH: 816-231-4564. Material Requirement Material shortage on custom carpets can be expensive. Allow for sufficient material to assure pattern match and adherence to other installation methods – especially with large pattern repeats. Having sufficient material requires careful planning. Seam Preparation and Pattern Matching To assure best side matching, install carpet in consecutive order of roll numbers, lowest to highest. Directional arrows are back-stamped on each roll, indicating manufacture and install directions. Determine and mark seam locations in advance. Make cuts, loose-lay appropriately, and allow material to acclimate before installing. Every edge for seaming requires precise trimming to assure matched patterns,. For good results, cut into each length about an inch to form an “L” at each match point for the full seam length. Then, use the “L’s” to form a straight edge, so carpet can be cut from the rear along that edge. Take care to cut just deep enough to separate the backing. Cut too deep and the yarn row may be too low, resulting in poor seaming. Pattern repeats may vary slightly between rolls. These manufacturing tolerances are normal and can be adjusted during installation. Pattern matching should start at the center of the length of carpet, allowing pattern variances to be worked in opposite directions. Stay-nailing and stretching may be need at intervals to bring the carpet into perfect match. Alternating from side to side in stretching may also be needed because of pattern repeat variances never being uniform within a carpet length. A patterned carpet containing a minimum of two-inch pattern skew in 15 feet, or 1.5 inches of bowing within a 12-foot width is suitable for proper installation. If variance exceeds these guidelines, stop installation and contact Northwest Carpets, Inc. Technical Services Department: 1-800-367-2508 Corridor Patterns When corridor patterns are 7.5 feet or less wide, split the roll length-wise precisely down the center, using a straight edge. Be careful to leave equal amounts of solid (unprinted) base material on both sides of the pattern. Northwest Carpets, Inc. material should have cut line for ease of cutting. Centering WIDTH-WISE: To center in the corridor widthwise, maintain an equal distance from the pattern edge to the wall along both sides. Measuring from only one wall will not allow for variances in wall trueness and pattern alignment. Windowing each carpet side at intervals is required to properly measure the distance between the pattern edge and the wall. For a stretched-over-cushion installation, offset the centering about ¼” toward the wall from which the carpet is to be stretched. For installing direct-glue down, offset centering measurements are not needed. LENGTH-WISE: Center length-wise down the corridor such that the caps install an equal distance from each end wall (unless otherwise instructed). Mark and measure the midpoint of the corridor length to center lengthwise. Then the carpet can be adjusted for the pattern repeat to either begin or center over the midpoint, depending on the desired spacing at each end. Cap Installation To accurately cut the cap at the pattern edge, make four or five 1-inch cuts from the carpet face equally spaced across the cap width; then, cut the cap from the back, using the 1-inch face cuts to keep a straight edge. This avoids cross-cutting the yarn that could cause poor seaming. Generally, the cap matches the corridor pattern with minimal adjustment. Variances of less than ¾ inches between cap and corridor pattern are workable. But stay-nailing and stretching either the cap or the corridor pattern may be necessary to reach correct alignment. If variance exceeds ¾ inch tolerance, stop installing and call Northwest Carpets, Inc. Technical Services Department: 1-800-367-2508 Stretched over Cushion Long corridors will require anchoring and stretching the carpet in opposite directions from the anchor. Desirable stretch is 1 – 1.5%. A premium grade underlayment with a minimum 8-pound density is recommended. Direct Glue-Down Use a premium multipurpose adhesive and properly seal all seams. Use a 1/8” x 1/8” x 1/8” 4-notch trowel. Smooth buckles and bubbles using a 75-lb. roller. Consult your Northwest Carpets, Inc. representative for a list of adhesives and other installation products. Complying with these guidelines and using good installation methods should assure a quality completed installation. Border Patterns Corner and border patterns will require cutting the droll at the cut lines with a small cut from the face at each end of the cutting lines. Use a straight edge to cut between the small cuts from the back. Take care to cut no deeper than the backing. Cutting beyond the backing into the yarn will cause a long row. After all borders and corners have been cut, gauge match by moving the corner down a border section to the point of match. Cut borders to length desired, taking into account the pattern repeat. Install corners with borders from the same roll whenever possible. The width of the bleed-out between the border and the room walls may not be constant due to pattern size and room dimensions. Lay out corners and borders following cutting and measure between the borders to determine field carpet size. Lay out borders and corners on dry substrate with the field glued in place to judge proper positioning. For conventionally backed products, use a 1/8” x 1/8” x 1/8” U-notch trowel. Fold back half the border and spread adhesive. Before placing border into adhesive, apply seam sealer to the field backing edge. Once seam sealer has been applied to a seam, position corners. Use Roberts 10-117 Mini-Stretcher, dead man and power stretcher, or knee kicker to move the border and corner for a matched pattern. All seams should be factored to assure good results. Until adhesive sets, stay-nails may be advised. Use a 75-lb. carpet roller to eliminate bubbles and smooth bubbles. CRI 104-96 These installation procedures adhere, where applicable, to the guidelines and principles endorsed by the Carpet and Rug Institute in CRT 104-96, Standard for Installation of Commercial Textile Floorcovering Materials. Copies can be obtained from: The Carpet and Rug Institute, Publications Dept., P.O. Box 2048, Dalton, GA 30722-2048, PH: 705-278-0232


	Pattern Repeats
	All pattern repeats are designed to side match side-by-side in full 12’ widths and have been estimated to side match in multiples of the pattern repeat length. Pattern bow or skew across the width cannot always be avoided. The carpet industry recognizes tolerances of 1.5” to 2” across a 12’ width. The two types of pattern repeats are: SET MATCH: The selvedge repeats or complements itself directly across the opposite selvedge.

	HALF-DROP: The motif at one selvedge repeats or complements itself diagonally, one-half the length of the pattern repeat across the opposite selvedge.

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