In most cases it is not worth the expense of upgrading to a pad other than rebond so that is normally your best choice. After you have selected the type of pad you will be using you will have to choose the thickness. The most common density is probably 3/8 of an inch and will suit most people just fine. If you want something more plush you might want to upgrade to a thicker pad. I would not suggest using a thinner pad than 3/8 because it will be very hard to step and walk on. Your last choice in pad is density given in terms of pounds. The most common is 6 pound pad which is fine for most people. The denser it is though the longer it will last so you might consider upgrading to an 8 pound pad. That is about all there is to choosing a pad. Basically if you are not picky a 6 pound, 3/8 inch rebond pad is a good all around choice. You can go up or down from there if you want a cheaper pad or a more comforatable one.

I hope this article has given you some insight into the world of carpet pads. It is not the biggest choice you will make when it comes to flooring but it is important. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

I always prefer to do the bulk of the fabrication at my workshop. This of course, helps me minimize the on-site time that I spend on a job - and keeps me off my knees! Working on the floor, as any installer can testify, is a grind. It's really tough on the knees and body.

My workshop has large 4' x 8' tables (some linked together to create really big surface areas) that allow me to stand upright and do my work. I have anti-fatigue mats that run the perimeter of the tables and cushion my feet against the cold, energy sapping concrete. Personally, I'd much rather work in my own environment listening to music at high volume levels than working on-site.

Tip #1

Find a good carpet installer if you aren't experienced in installation. As a trained rug fabricator, it isn't necessary to be an installer too. Find the best installer that you can, plan your strategy for the project. Be there for the installation. Bring all of your gear and extra carpet. You want to be prepared for any last minute adjustments.

Tip #2

Have a clear understanding of your carpet cuts before you begin. If the whole house is facing a complete installation then this is especially important. If it's just a room that you're working on, then it's no big deal because you're ordering just enough carpet for that room.

Tip #3

When adding multiple borders around the perimeter of a room, you can pre-seam and pre-bevel the borders prior to installing. For example, if you have 3 borders, then seam/bevel the 3 borders at your workshop. Then seam once to the main field and bevel once 'on-site'. I suggest mitering the corners of your borders as you install, this is more professional and hides those corner seams better. Even single border projects can be beveled prior to seaming (it is faster).

Tip #4

Prefabricate any design details that you possibly can. Example: Your client wants a few roses in each corner of the room. You can do the bulk of this work prior to going on-location, If your design is properly planned. If you're really prepared, and the rooms aren't too large, then you can prefabricate the whole room and install it in one piece, but be careful here because you do need to allow for power-stretching and trimming.

Tip #5

When insetting into existing wall to wall carpet. Do your research first. Examine the existing carpet closely. Is it in very good condition? Is it a good quality? You want the answers to these questions to be YES. You don't want to waste your time working with old and tired carpet.

These are just a few tips for successful inset installations. If you do a quality job then your customer will love what you're doing and appreciate the beauty that you are adding to their home. They'll love you even more if you come in, quickly do your job, and leave a small footprint.

Working on-site doesn't have to be a chore. As you can see here, planning ahead is the key. Save yourself valuable time and money by being prepared. Do as much prefabrication OFF-site as you can.

Here are 8 important tips before you commit to buying:

Tip #1: Research the available custom rug fabricators in your local area or go online. Look for quality and professionalism. Do they have experience? Do they have designs to choose from? Do they have a portfolio that you can look at?

Tip #2: Identify a budget for your rug project. If your budget is tight, then maybe ordering a custom rug isn't realistic at this time. If you can afford to spend extra for something unique and custom then you may be looking at $500-1000 for smaller size rugs, $1000-5,000 for larger sizes - depending on size and complexity, costs can escalate even further as rugs get larger. If you're ordering multiple rugs then politely demand a package price discount!

Tip#3: Get design ideas online by visiting area rug sites. If you find a design that you like, then try and capture the largest image that you can. You can 'right click' the image with your mouse and 'save image as' into a folder on your desktop. Start a collection of inspiring ideas.

Tip#4: Consider how the rug will integrate into your interior. Do you have a fabric or theme that you can play from? Do you have a style that appeals to you; some current styles might be Old World, Modern, Tropical, Southwestern, Abstract, or even Whimsical.

Tip #5: Several rugs can tie-in together from room to room. They don't have to be all the same design. Consider reversing some of the colors or changing the design elements slightly. This is a great method for integrating multiple custom rugs within the home.

Tip #6: Stay clear of overly complex designs. If you want to match that busy Persian rug design in your living room, then you're better off looking for a Persian rug supplier, not a custom rug fabricator.

Tip #7: Share your favorite designs with your rug fabricator. Discuss options for integrating your ideas into your own custom rug. Ask for an estimate in writing on your proposed design. Expect to pay extra for any additional artwork that may be required.

Tip #8: Choose your colors direct from carpet swatches. It's fine to see the final artwork on your screen monitor, however, screen monitors and printouts vary. Your final decision should be based on exact materials that will be used in your rug. Have swatches shipped to you for final approval if you are ordering from a merchant online.

General rug production times should be around 4-6 weeks, depending on complexity and quantities ordered. This is an average turn around time for custom rug fabricators.

As you can see, custom rug fabrication has some interesting benefits to consider. It's not for everybody, yet the creative possibilities are endless and the interest in customizing our home interiors is more popular than ever.

Here's a quick summary of the tips: Determine a budget for your rug purchase. Integrate the designs with your existing interior. Find designs and themes that attract you. Stay clear of overly complex designs. Get an estimate of the proposed design. Choose colors from physical swatch samples.

You can be creative and you can have fun with the whole process. The key is to have a clear picture of the proposed design before buying, which is not that hard to do. The end result should be a beautiful addition to your home interior in the exact size and colors that you need.