Has any one got any advice about changing the carpet in our van. At the moment it is fixed carpet and we would like to get rid (colour is horrid) and fit lino with loose removable carpet. Where can we get these to fit our van and can you order them for a specific layout.
I think getting the new carpet is probably the easy bit! The trouble with fixed carpets in caravans is that they usually extend under bunks and and other fittings so can be difficult to remove. As to a new carpet I suppose you have two choices. Firstly contact Bailey to see if they sell a set of loose fit carpets for your model or and perhaps a cheaper option would be to go to a local carpet specialist. You would need to make a template in paper/cardboard first. They will then cut and bind the edges of the carpet for you. We have a company here in MK that does that sort of thing but I don't think they do mail order although I am sure someone has posted a company that might.
Local 'Carpetright' store did a set for a neighbours van, he carefully cut away the old carpet tight upto the edges with a stanly knife to use as a template, chose a new piece in store and their fitter cut it to size and they had it bound for him with that strong oversewing stuff similar to what you find around carpet samples, it was a couple of years ago now but i think they charged him around a pound a foot for the binding. They also do some nice vinyls that look like laminate flooring, beware of the really thick stuff though as its easily punctured by sharp gravel, ponty shoe heels and the corners of any dropped objects.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Bathroom carpet can be cut to shape, (with a strong pair of scissors and a stanley knife) is washable and doesn`t fray. I`ve had it as loose carpets over our vinyl floor for several years, its had a lot of abuse but is still going strong.
There is a place in Newport Gwent that does carpet binding... they called Titan Carpets.. if you cut your carpet out and take it to them they would make you up a new set.. they are really reasonable too... would cost you next to nothing with them.. you can even take your own carpet for them to bind....
You should check out the prices of carpet runners that you get in a lot of shops. We have used them in the past and found they were a good job. Might be a cheaper option.
Could you give me any info about fitting my van floor with Lino as you have done. I have had a carpet fitter to see it and he was'nt sure how it could be done (or was'nt interested} It seems the best way is to try and fit lino under units but would this be difficult or would it be ok to cut carpet out and use as a template. Any help would be appreciated regards
Hi all you diy lads. Still trying to get advice on fitting vinyl flooring in my van to replace carpets. Anyone done this themselves, if you did was it a success. I dont know whether to cut carpet for template or try to loosen units and slide vinyl underneath. Can anyone help. Carpet fitters in my area are not interested.
Goint to Spain in June and would like it done before then
Don't believe anyone who says fitting vinyl in a caravan is easy,its awkward and time consuming which is why your local fitters won't do it.
Its a shame you are not nearer to me as i am a fitter and have done lots of vans including my own and ours has the spare wheel hatch in the floor making it more awkward.
I use hooked blades in the knife to fit vinyl but be careful not to scratch the woodwork and if the flooring has a floor board design make sure it is straight.
Trod on the dogs water loads of times last week and it just mopped up otherwise we would have had wet feet.
We just have a rubberised backed carpet runner i had left over from a commercial job down the centre and just roll it up in the summer for a nice cool floor.
When you have got the flooring opened up and straight cut most of the waste off leaving around an inch of spare and cut down to all the extremities such as corners of the units and make sure it is flat then push the vinyl into the corner and with one hand and cut with the other,you may have to trim some bits with scissors.
If you have any bad cuts you can either cover with beading or a small amount of good quality clear silicon.
Don't buy the very soft vinyl as this is much more difficult to fit.
Good luck and don't shake your fingers if you cut one as the blood goes everywhere
I replaced the carpet in my caravan. With a very sharp Stanley knife I cut the old carpet tight up against the edges, bought a cheap roll end of carpet from a local carpet shop and used the old carpet as a template to cut the new piece. I did the whole length and width of the van and had enough left over to do another two pieces when the existing piece gets past its best.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
I suppose we were lucky then. When we bought our van (about 12 years ago) a 1997 ABI Evissa it had a removable carpet in it with a cushioned vinyl floor under it
How about the vinyl stick on tiles that look like laminate flooring . My daughter has just used these in her living room, and it looks fantastic. She did it herself,and it was very easy, and it cost hardly anything .
She bought the tiles in Poundland.works out about £2 a square metre. It also stays looking good , as she did her bathroom about a year ago with the tiles and they are still good as new.
I intend to get some for our caravan , as we have a very light colour carpet and it wont stay clean for long , so once the carpet gets a bit grubby , it will be replaced with these tiles.
Hi thanks to everyone who has given me any advice on replacing my caravan carpets with vinyl flooring. I wish you lived nearer to me Andy and Lynda but thanks again for your reply. Still got the roll of vinyl in our garage, but will need to get it fitted, as we go to Spain soon with the family and the carpet will be a lot worse than it is now by the time we come back.
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Topic: Removable carpet in caravan
