Page 8 - TFSWinter2020

Pattern Match Carpet Success

By James Macdonald II, CIM of Commercial Flooring Professional
CARPET

he need for articles about how to install patterned
carpet is important because unfortunately, there are
Tmore mechanics experienced in installing carpet tile
and too few experienced in installing patterned broadloom.

This article is more of an overview and not so much a
“how to.” Both are necessary. Fresh on our minds is our
experience from a recent large-scale patterned carpet
installation at Pennsylvania State Courts and Judiciary
Building. It is adjacent to the capitol complex, and ranks
right up there as one of the most prestigious and difficult
installations in our portfolio. Think executive offices and
judge’s chambers. Looking back on this installation, it was
loaded with challenges. Through this experience, it became
very clear that a successful patterned carpet installation
includes (among other things) 3 P’s: Planning, People, and
Production. As an installer, you are one of the people.
A very important one. But both the planning and the
production of the carpet are so essential that they either options. With this client, we knew we had to educate them
contribute toward your success as a professional patterned that the main hallways, not the adjacent offices must be
carpet installer, or they will cost you time and money. installed first to assure pattern match at doorways. Planning
Installing patterned carpet is more than just lining up the also meant many conversations between the installer, end
pattern. You are responsible for not only your labor, but the user, our mill rep, and even people in production. Planning
cost of the carpet you are about to install! Before you cut meant the first piece of patterned carpet would be the
that carpet, before you chalk line patterns, be engaged in most important, visually as a focal point from the client’s
these three P’s. perspective, and most important for all the subsequent cuts
of carpet to be matched to it. Planning, for the installer,
PLANNING also means considering access to areas not with boxes of
What does planning have to do with a successful pattern tile, but with large rolls of carpet. Planning means assuming
carpet installation? Planning in our case made the your pattern will be bowed (arced from left to right), skewed
difference in client expectations, installer exasperation, and (running off at an angle), and that there will be variations in
manufacturer credibility. We planned on paper and on digital pattern elongation, yet all within production tolerances. Are
screen where we would start with the pattern. We looked at you prepared to make perfect a little bow, a little skew, and a
little elongation?

PEOPLE
I am biased. Of all the people involved in a successful pattern
carpet installation, my bias is that you, the installer, are most
important. Your expectation of and ability to correct less
than perfect pattern match makes you an ally to the project
manager, the client, and folks at the mill. Your professional
attitude coupled with confidence that you know how to do
it, will earn respect and more work. Knowing how to find a
focal point in the pattern using your tape, string line, laser
and straight edge are important. Having the knee kicker,
even though it may be a glue down rather than a stretch in
installation, and “stay tacks” (or “stubby nails” for concrete)
to hold your pattern correction before glue is fully set are
also important. These are not only important aspects to
patterned carpet installation, but they are typical. Many

8 Flooring Specialist Winter 2020