interior carpeting

[P-Dogg]

It is finally time to upgrade something on my boat that you can see without being in the bilge. I started asking for recommendations for carpet installers from local folks and the general consensus is that no one would ever use their installer again. I plan to use high-quality interior carpet and padding as opposed to "marine" grade carpet. The current carpet is interior-grade Berber with padding and tack strips.


First question is: Can anyone recommend a boat carpet installer that works the west side of the upper Chesapeake?

The rest:
What is the recommended way to finish the edges of hatches?

I have Berber carpet installed now, and the edges are bound. I will likely be installing plush carpeting -- certainly nothing with loops. Can this type of carpet also be bound? Must this type of carpeting also be bound? Wrapped around the edge of the hatch? Wrapped around the hole for the hatch?

Is it acceptable to butt-join the carpet seams at the hatches? Must the edges be beveled or otherwise treated?

Can anyone provide pictures of an installation that they are happy with, especially hatch details?

What gotcha's should I be looking-out for?

Thanks in advance.

[Flyboy]

If your are deadset on installing carpet, I would locate an Aircraft Interior shop, they have the ability to bind and surge the edges of the carpet. If you have the pieces that are currently in the boat they can use those as templates. You could try Atlantic Aviation 302-328-9695, they should know who does this work in the area. They are located in Wilmington, DE.

[prowlersfish]

Any carpet shop can do the binding . check around the dock and see if anyone has a recommenced shop for marine install if no one here has one .

[lawyerdave71]

You are correct in that you do not need marine carpet. Carpet from home depot would be fine. I love Berber carpet and had it installed on my boat. Having said that, I do not recommend the Berber. If the edges are not properly done, it will frey and on a boat, you are talking about a lot of edges!

I do not know about padding. I didn't use padding as I thought it would be a magnet for mildew.

[yorklyn]

Wanted to follow this as carpet is on my to do list.
I currently have berber with a grey/foam rubber backing/padding. my carpet is loose laid and I always liked being able to remove it over the winter to reduce odor from mildew. I have not been able to find a local place to do the binding? my shop is a few miles from Atlantic Aviation, I will give them a call when I get a chance.
I found this place, i like the backing on their berber but still need to find someone to bind it. http://inglescarpetinc.com/id67.html

[bjanakos]

I just laid down a carpet in the salon and lower galley area. It's a tight loop; similar to berber except they are even height and uniform rows.

It's foam backed so it keeps the fraying to a minimum, but it's difficult to cut. I have just finished trimming it for the salon and I plan to do cuts for the engine bays and the center access panels. I tested cauterizing the edges with a torch and it seems to be holding. I might make this the permanent approach. Otherwise, I will try using adhesive binding tape, and if that doesn't do the trick, there is a local awning/canvas shop in the area and I am sure they can install the binding.

[yorklyn]

if your using a torch to melt the edges do your lungs a favor and wear a good respirator and keep a fire extinguisher handy just in case.
I had not thought of an awning shop/canvas shop for binding, great idea!

[bjanakos]

You just want to shrink the fibers a little so they lock down. If you're burning, smoking, or smell fumes, you are using way too much heat.

[blair]

Carpet was one of the first things we did when we ripped out the interior on our '79 Tricabin. $1200, V-Berth to rear cabin. Foam-backed residential Berber laid by a pro, Bound edges and laser measured. Hatch edges bound as well. Love the look and the feel...we run barefoot on the boat. Roll it all up and take it home for the winter to give it a good cleaning. Totally recommend it.