The true nature of bathroom carpets is that they should always have a water proof waffle backing. This is very similar to the old foamed backed carpet, however, it is much denser and completely water resistant. The main pile consistency is made up of nylon fibres. Nylon is also a good water proof fabric textile.

Bathroom carpets are actually very easy to install and it would be advisable to firstly lay a thin cedar paper as an underlay. This prevents the waffle backing from sticking directly to the subfloor. To then perimeter fix with a strong durable double-sided tape secures the edges to the skirting board, firmly and neatly.

They can also be fitted to bath panels and pipe boxing. This creates an attractive and neat finish. The pliability of the textile is such that it can be easily formed around curves and diverse angles. The carpet is installed simply with a knee kicker to stretch the carpet into position and remove any surplus stretch and trimmed with a stanley knife accordingly.

If you would consider a DIY project installation, a good way to go about this would be to firstly take a template of the floor area using a cedar paper covering the floor and penciling around toilet pot, basin etc., then cutting the shape out and directly laying it on the carpet and back-cutting the shape you have created.

This should then, if accurately carried out, slot straight into position without any need for cutting directly to skirting boards and other out-projections or protruding objects.

Surprisingly, there are not many different designs available in bathroom carpet products. Generally, four or five ranges, with different thicknesses, all mainly plain, subtle shades. In a carpet retail outlet, one or two ranges are generally stocked, with twelve colours to choose from in each range.

Non-waffle backed carpets or non-standard carpeting can also be installed as bathroom carpets either on underlay or directly on to the subfloor. However, these have a much shorter lifespan because they are prone to deteriorating and rotting, especially if they have a wool content or a Hessian back.

The reason why there is such a small choice in bathroom carpets is because people are preferring to use vinyl and ceramic products as floor coverings. These are obviously able to hold excess water on the surface and can be mopped and cleaned much more easily.

On the other hand, carpets still bring warmth and comfort underfoot and act as a great insulator and sound proofing agent, whereas vinyl and ceramic products do not possess these properties. Moreover, installing vinyl and ceramic products is much more time consuming and expensive and additionally require much more subfloor preparation in general than would be required if laying the carpet.

Although a sheet vinyl product would be roughly the same as a bathroom carpet in terms of price, design floor vinyls and ceramic flooring products can be five times more expensive. So, you could have a fitted bathroom carpet changed two or three times at the price of a ceramic tiled floor alternative. This is great for the girl who likes to change colour schemes.

Bathroom carpets are only manufactured at a width of two metres and are generally made for the UK market in France and Belgium. UK wholesalers import and have weekly deliveries from European countries.

Author Bio: This bathroom carpets article may be reprinted only with this resource box intact. Richard J. Smith is a Sheffield flooring contractor with twenty five years experience. Commercial & domestic enquiries welcome from Sheffield & surrounding areas of the UK. Visit http://www.flooring-contractors.co.uk

Category: Home Management
Keywords: bathroom carpets, Sheffield flooring contractor, commercial carpet fitter, carpet installer