This column is significant for two reasons; it is the 500th Claims File column I have written for FCN in twenty years and this new technology I am writing about will have revolutionary implications for carpet installation.
Free Lay is a completely unique backing system that allows the installation of attached cushion broadloom carpet without the use of adhesives or tackstrip. The only step necessary is for the substrate to be completely clean and dry and the alkalinity should not be over 10 ph and a polymer must be applied first. The polymer has to be used on concrete, plywood, metal or particle board but this system can be installed over hardwood, vinyl, vinyl tile, terrazzo, granite, marble, polished concrete and ceramic without the polymer.
Basically how the system work’s is much like how a fly sticks to a wall. The active film on the backing material forms a bond on the polymer or flooring material allowing the carpet to stay in place. The carpet will not move laterally but it can be lifted up easily. The longer the carpet stays in place the stronger the bond becomes until it reaches maximum adhesion. The bond never becomes permanent and the flooring material can be easily removed without any damage to the substrate. This technology can be used on broadloom carpet, carpet tiles and rugs. It can be applied to any carpet synthetic or natural. The carpet can be worked if necessary to adjust pattern alignment, etc.
The Significance:
This backing system requires no adhesive, no tack strip and no stretching. The carpet can be pre-cut to fit the desired areas. The Free Lay technology will not compromise hardwood, vinyl, stone, ceramic, terrazzo or painted concrete substrates. The carpet resists buckles, wrinkles, puckering, seam peaking – all the issues that have created complaints and claims in the past. No more concern about adhesive failure, lack of enough adhesive, improper or inadequate stretching, etc. The carpet becomes dimensionally stable because of this backing. There are no VOC’s to be concerned with and no odd or unpleasant adhesive odors. This system allows for free form designs, nearly invisible seams and no seam peaking or discoloration at seams from seaming irons and tape, which do not have to be used. It allows for faster and easier installations.
If this sounds too good to be true, well, it almost is. This technology was invented 10 years ago, was patented five years ago and we have been working with it for over five years. For the last five years we have tried to make it fail and it hasn’t yet. Carpet with this backing system is installed in homes, businesses, offices, medical facilities, veterinarians’ offices, and indoor golf instruction facilities. It is in carpet manufacturers’ facilities, retail showrooms, churches and schools. We have looked for sites to install it where there are problems and it has performed flawlessly. You’d have to work hard to make a carpet installation fail with this backing system.
Any carpet manufacturer producing any type of carpet can utilize this backing technology. This is a huge statement but this backing technology, used correctly and as specified, will eliminate almost every installation problem you’ve ever had. All the components normally used that can cause an installation to fail are eliminated with the Free Lay system. The industry can say goodbye to claims of buckles and wrinkles associated with failed stretch in or direct glue down installations. This system can be used on residential and commercial installations on any type broadloom product.
This is the first public announcement of Free Lay Technology. You have to know more about this system. The more we work with it the more amazing it becomes. Call or email us and we’ll get you the information on Free Lay. 706-370-5888 or lgmtcs@optilink.us
Author: Lewis G. Migliore
LGM and Associates – The Floorcovering Experts