Under the hardboard - Hearth - foam packaging

[QfanatiQ]

Strange one.

I am putting hardboard down, hopefully this weekend. This will act as a substrate for carpeting. Works out amazingly cheaper for me to buy and fit this, than the carpet fitters.

In the room, there is an un-used fireplace. It is my original intention to board over this, it is only small, but as I can’t fix the board down in this area, I want to put some thin foam under (spray glue fixed to underside of board (spray mount)). I want to get the kind of stuff, you get the consoles wrapped in, that thin.

Second option, cut around the harth and have the carpet fixed to edge. As I don’t like a step down, then make up the level with wood floor finished board perhaps?

Are there any carpet fitters with knowledge on best way to address?

Cheers…..Q

[flukesy]

What is the difference in height between where the hardboard on normal floor to where the fireplace is?

[QfanatiQ]

Hearth and boarding level.
Central heating installed before we bought
They replaced floor boards, but as existing was basically a seriously deep profile, they have replaced with timbers of same depth.
I unfortunately have some rather serious gaps between boards and some noticeable steps.
An underlay and carpet will sag between the larger gaps and also the unevenness will see warping happen much sooner, then it ever should. This Hardboard solution has come from posts here and trade forums.

I hope the history was of use, in case.

So with Hardboard, there will be a 3mm difference. Then carpet on top, considerable, perhaps considerable enough to do a spate infill?

But, if there was a way or stopping hardboard clapping on hearth and carpeting straight across, that would be much preferred.

Cheers….Q

[Goldberg]

Have you got a photo, would it be possible to put some self levelling compound down ?

[flukesy]

Bit of flexible screed? Might be an idea

[QfanatiQ]

Good shout Gberg, levelling compound would work well actually. And due to the nature of the material, if it were ever possible or desired, the fireplace could be reinstated and that used as a base to extend on.

But, now you mention this, I am thinking perhaps getting some old reclaimed tiles and thin bedding them in with a suitable tile boarder instead.

Nice thinking out of the box, thats opened up some options.

[Goldberg]

Had to do it myself on so many DIY projects

[QfanatiQ]

Had to do it myself on so many DIY projects

No one likes a show off!

Q

[flukesy]

Had to do it myself on so many DIY projects

Is this admission of ballsing up a few jobs? Lol

[Goldberg]

believe me, corners have been cut at times!

[flukesy]

Haha as with carpet fitting mate. It's not how good you are it's what you can get away with lol

[Goldberg]

Massive massive MASSIVE piece of advice.. Gloss all of the Skirting boards at least 1 week in advance prior to the carpet going down.
In addition, paint all the way down to the floor if you can.

I had carpets fitted recently and thought I had done enough. I gave it about 5 days and still bits of paint chipped off when they laid them. The most annoying part however was some beading that was down around the bottom of the skirting.
Because it was there under the old carpet I thought it would be fine.. They made me remove it to get a better fit for the carpet and as a result I have bits around the room where you can see the old paint...

Only I can notice it but it is bloody annoying.

*EDIT*

Oh, and do not try to lay the carpet yourself. It will cost hardly anything to get the professionals in and they do a great job, very quickly.

[QfanatiQ]

Oh, and do not try to lay the carpet yourself. It will cost hardly anything to get the professionals in and they do a great job, very quickly.

Good tips. I will look to paint prior, although the missus likes the stripped look. but I dont. Also, no, not laying carpet myself. But want a substrate for them to just get on and lay down.

I will make sure the hearth has square edged carpet edging so i can look to tile in due course.

Cheers.....Q

[flukesy]

Tile first surely

[beansontoast]

Had to do it myself on so many DIY projects

The bouncy floorboards in the corner of my living room were cured by a large screwdriver being hammered into the gap under the joist. Twelve years on and they're still solid

[Goldberg]

Yep, some solutions can not be bought

[QfanatiQ]

Tile first surely

Would make sense. But I need to put money to the carpet first and foremost.

All be it a small area, the carpet will dictate the thickness of tile, colour and bed depth. With plenty of protection and stright edge carpet trims, it will not be an issue to do this after and not worry about any spoiling of the carpet.

Cheers.....Q

[QfanatiQ]

This is a room for our little one. I am going to get a friend to make a large piece style jigsaw that will fit into the small Hearth surround.

Q

[flukesy]

Pity you weren't local. I could have sorted your carpet iut