By Robert Blochinger
When building a structure, a detailed plan is required, so why not when installing floor covering? A multiple space jobsite can have many different flooring products installed. They are specified per room location on a plan as cpt (carpet), sv (sheet vinyl) and so on. This tells the installer what goes where.
A seam plan shows not only the direction of the product in consideration of the space layout, but location of the seams; this can be for traffic purposes and for pattern appearance.
As a flooring contractor, I included a seam plan with every job quote I submitted, for consideration—especially the commercial and hospitality ones, in detail and color coded. With the higher-end carpets, this is a must, as you can’t redo this quality of product, and a mistake might lead to closing the doors of your business at the end of the day. Designers want to see where to place seams in reference to the room layout, furniture placement and lighting. And DON’T ever believe you have seen it all; I remember inspecting a seaming job consisting of three seams, (T) in a “drop” room (11’10” wide). To this day I don’t know what they were thinking!
Example: Hospitality usually has the main function room, pre-function room and side rooms separated by expanding doors, all in one large space. The various rooms can have the same carpet, borders to separate them, or different carpet patterns and color placement. A seam layout/plan is required to ensure the installer knows not just what goes where, but also to understand the relationships between the rooms and the correct direction of the carpet. Sometimes a seam gives the owner and designers an option, such as choosing a carpet direction in reference to lighting reflection and traffic flow.
The large hospitality carpet manufacturers will always submit a seaming plan to the product buyer, and then it’s given to the installer for guidance and execution. The sheets are numbered on the plan and in woven goods, at the end of the roll within the weave. This is in addition to the label on the roll.
The use of a seaming plan will ensure the roll sequence (as manufactured) is used, so any color variations from roll to roll are controlled. This is especially true in printed carpet. A plan will assist in determining carpet quantity, and if a budget request is lower cost, running the carpet in the opposite direction may save quantity or reduce seams. Reduction of seams has one purpose, to eliminate problems later.
As an added benefit, the installer now knows how much seaming tape, seam (cut edge) sealer and labor time is needed to seam the carpet. This won’t be a mystery or a change order request later. It’s an added value to pricing the job.
Example: The hospital corridors are 8’ wide yet the sheet goods are 6’ wide. Which side does the seam go on? Are there border considerations to balance the appearance? A seam plan is important for specifiers to control the appearance and performance of this product.
The same issue can happen in hospitality corridors, where most are 6’ wide yet the carpet rolls may be 11’11”. Will a seam be needed? During the layout of the project can a specialty product be made that’s 13’6”/2” wide?
Typically, these wide rolls are split down the middle so a roll will do two floors. Seam layout and planning is important for the primary result, so the product can perform as designed.
Who is the lead, who is in charge and who is responsible for seam plans? The manufacturer, specifier, designer, owner, general contractor, flooring contractor, maintenance contractor?
In the end, the flooring installer is responsible. They will be the first to be blamed for any failures. Did they seam the carpet correctly? Was an adequate amount of hot melt tape adhesive melted? Was the tape centered? Is the tape correct for the installation style/method and for the product backing, whether inherent or applied?
Having a seaming plan will help set you apart. Any plans submitted to you need to be reviewed and checked for accuracy; this is for your protection later when the project is turned over to the owner for use. Any planning you do is an example of your professionalism, a tool to market your workmanship and an indicator of why your services should be selected. It’s not always about the price; know your worth and perform accordingly.
Sample seaming plan: 118093 R7 Seaming
