Installation Instructions

NOTE:
•Premium grade tape with high tensile strength, sufficient adhesive on the woven scrim
and a minimum adhesive width of 2 ¾ inches is recommended.
•Rollers with star or spike design are not recommended for use on hot melt seams,
especially, cut or cut-loop constructions.
When using a seaming iron, a grooved iron is recommended for better penetration of the
adhesive. Proper iron temperature is essential to avoid secondary backing distortion.
Temperature settings will vary according to iron and tape manufacturers. Always run the
iron in the direction of the pile. A heat shield is required.
A metal surface should not be used to weight the seam behind the seaming device, as
metal traps the heat and moisture. Wood or non-heat conducting material should be
used for this purpose.
Provide adequate ventilation to dissipate any fumes from the seaming process.
Hand Sewing
Hand sewing shall be overcast stitches placed not more than 1/2 inch (13 mm) apart and no
less than 1/2 inch from the edge of the carpet. It is recommended that a latex coating and
tape be applied over the stitching.
Stretch-in Installation
This method involves installing carpet under tension over a separate cushion, using tack-
strips fastened at all walls and other vertical abutments around the perimeter of the area.
Tack-strip
It is required that tack-strips be a minimum of 1 inch (25 mm) wide and 1/4 inch (6 mm)
thick (Refer to Table III – Tack Strip at the end of this document). Architectural strips, 1 ¾
inches in width (50mm) with 3 rows of pins, or 2 conventional strips with 2 rows of pins
each, are required for stretching areas exceeding 30 feet to provide secure attachment of
the carpet and additional shear strength. To prevent possible injury to occupants, it is
required that the pins on tack-strips not protrude through the carpet being installed.
Additional tack-strip installation specifications include:
•Securely fasten tack-strips to maintain the tension provided by power stretching. Nailed
or stapled tack-strips are required to have a minimum of 2 fasteners per piece.
•Place tack-strips with the pins angled toward the vertical abutment.
•The gully, or distance between the tack-strips and vertical abutments, is required to be
slightly less than the thickness of the carpet but not exceed 3/8 inch (9 mm).•Avoid
installing tack-strips across door openings and/or sills. Cut tack-strips to follow the
contour of door casings and other irregularly shaped abutments.
•Do not staple carpet to tack-strips.
•On radiant-heated floors, use manufacturer’s approved adhesive to secure tack-
strips. To prevent damage to the heating system, do not use nails or screws.