Replies

1. 
   zendo | Jan 13, 2005 02:05am | #1

   Ive worked on jobs that they were used in residential apps.  They even make shag that you cant see the joints.  If you choose to use them, check to see if they have arrows for placement direction like tile does on the bottom.  I saw a real botch job because the so called finish carpenter didnt use the arrows... part way through I informed him that thats what they were for, and he didnt care.

   Also make sure you think ahead and buy some extra... there isnt any point in putting them in if down the road they are discontinued by the seller.

   -zen

    

2. 
   WayneL5 | Jan 13, 2005 02:12am | #2

   Our office used them.  They sound like a good idea, but when you replace one, it's so much cleaner than the ones around it that it stands out like a sore thumb.  But, if you are replacing a really damage square it might be less bad than what you've replaced.

   For a rental you might be better off with one of two other approaches.  One is to buy really cheap carpet and plan on replacing it if you have a particularly bad tenant.  The other is to purchase a high quality commercial carpet (low pile but tight) and give it a good shampoo.  Commercial carpets stand up to much abuse.  You could replace only one room if needed; there's no reason why they all have to be the same.

   You might want something like vinyl (here I would not go cheap) in some areas like foyers and laundry areas.

   There are a number of guys here who have rentals.  Hopefully they'll add their experience.

3. 
   user-45343 | Jan 13, 2005 06:46am | #3

   Todd, been in your shoes many times. I do floors and have several rentals. Always done carpet tile in commercial buildings not homes.The big commercial buildings can get away with changing a tile here or there and the have the budget for a quality carpet tile. However, if you do it in an apt rental were you have 1 stain in the middle of the room and it's been down a while it will stick out like a sore thumb as Wayne mentioned. Because I do floors it cost me nothing to do the install for a replacement. If you really want to go with carpet go with maybe a darker speckled Berber or loop pile carpet they hold up better than a cut pile carpet ( It won't get matted down as fast or be as noticeable). If the rooms aren't very big you can sometimes get away with just picking up some remnants on sale that may fit.                                          For our Kitchens we would use vinyl but found the tenants always manage to drag something and tear it. For a while I just did a loose lay (not glues down) because it was to much work to rip up a glued down vinyl and you can only install so many floors before they all have to come up. We gave that up for VCT which works the best and is the most cost efficient. Some people may think it looks very commercial but you have to use your imagination. I have some in colored checker board layout others have a boarder and some re laid on a 45, you can do some different stuff with it and it's a rental. Short of using ceramic which is a lot more money nothing beats commercial VCT for a rental (not that cheap peal and stick get 1/8 VCT. For Living rooms hard wood which requires some maintenance or some type of floating floor ie: Pergo, Wilsonart, Shaw, Mohawk no a days everybody makes a floating floor and they are easy to install.                       

    

1. FHB Editor
   JFink | Jan 13, 2005 11:51pm | #4

   I just wanted to bump this question up again - I'd like to hear what other people have seen and experienced with carpet squares....I was thinking along the same lines - that they are easily replaced, but that they won't match the worn carpet when replaced. 

   Who else has insights?

    

    Justin Fink

   FHB Editorial