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Fraying carpet is a common problem in most households. Poorly installed carpets and the transition areas are tricky as it can make you trip over.
So, how to keep carpet edges from fraying?
There are many reasons for fraying, and it can worsen with the constant movement of people with rough shoe texture on new or aged carpet, movement of heavy furniture or exposed wood/metal of the furniture, pet scratches, vacuuming on the frayed area, etc.
You can stop further fraying by repairing it as soon as you can.
How to Keep Carpet Edges from Fraying – 6 Techniques to Follow
1. Use Binding Tape
Another choice for preventing your carpet from fraying is to use binding tape.
These will hold down rugs to look neat on the floor, keep them from moving around, and the edges will last longer.
As well, your carpet will no longer be a tripping hazard.
There are more options when it comes to carpet grippers.
The washable-reusable edge grippers works best for bathroom rugs and accent rugs.
If you’ve got rugs that you want a semi-permanent solution for staying neatly on the floor, use carpet tape. It leave no stubborn residue when you want to remove it.
2. Move Furniture with Sliders
Many household scrapes come when you move furniture around. You can take the step to protect your carpet while you move couches and other large furniture with furniture sliders.
Like coasters for your furnishings, it’s a bonus that it makes your heavy furniture much easier to move.
How to Repair Frayed Carpet Edges
If your carpet is already frayed, do not fear because it can be repaired. Read on to find out how to fix the frayed edges.
1. Cut off the Frayed Carpet EdgeÂ
First, you might think about cutting a portion of the frayed carpet, which may seem a straightforward task. But it is not so.
You need to measure and mark your carpet with chalk first so that you can cut it straight and not go sideways.
Using a utility knife to cut the edge is the handiest and probably the best tool for this task. You can also use a carpet cutter.
Whatever tools you choose to cut with making sure that the tool is nice and sharp.
If your knife is not sharp and it has rust on it, then you will damage your carpet more than its current condition.
2. Fix with Carpet Binding
Carpet binding materials like Instabind is an easy-to-use product for you to DIY carpet edges.
It also enhances the beauty of your carpet.
You need scissors, a hot glue gun, glue sticks, with a long nozzle tip.
Cut a little portion from the beginning point of the Instabind to have a fresh start from the middle of your carpet.
If Instabind is not available in your area, you can use a carpet binder like this one from Amazon.
Slowly pull the sticker off it. Continue to press the carpet binder around your carpet as closely as you can.
You can use a heavy book to keep the pressure on. At the corners just cut the plastic and flap it on each other to make a corner shape of the bind.
Then again, you can cut the bind to matching it with the starting point.
Now it’s time for gluing. Make some final adjustments. Then glue the ends of your bind and continue through the carpet edges.
Finally, you’ll have brand new carpet edges!
And you’ll have a secured carpet.
There are many types and styles of carpet edges which will depend on what you prefer.
- Faux leather style: This style is almost like the traditional binding but without any stitch visibility and more durable than it. The faux leather style is available in many stock colors and 48-foot rolls.
- Regular binding style: If you want your carpet to look traditional, then this regular binding style is just the solution for you.
- Cotton binding style: For binding wool or cotton or any natural fiber rug, this cotton binding style is just perfect.
- Synthetic serge binding style: This style is more durable than usual serge binding.
- Cotton serge style: Without even owning an expensive serging machine, having a beautifully serged carpet is possible. And it’s all because of Instabind cotton serge style. It is available in many colors from the cotton serge yarn line.
- Rope edge style: Many people use Instabind rope style in yachts/boats & seashore home interiors for it’s a marine look.
- Outdoor marine style: This binding style is made mildew and ultraviolet ray proof, especially for outdoors.
- Safety edge style: Neon green and orange are used along with a reflective edge that shines in the dark. It is specially made for places having a minimum light source like hallways.
3. The “4 Series” Carpet Edge Sealing Tip
The sealing tip allows carpet edges to be sealed with a hot glue gun and saves time.
The exclusive design of these tips assures excess glue is directed onto the backing of the carpet.
With a little practice, you can seal all the carpet edges of your home in just a few hours.
4. Secure the Carpet Edges
Transition strip works like a safety feature in your home. A transition strip is used when transitioning from one-floor type to another.
For example, tile to carpet. There are varieties of transition strips, and choosing the correct one for your floor type is essential.
- Metal carpet transition strips: Most commonly used is the metal transition strip. The transition strip should cover half part of the carpet and half part of the other floor type.
Then you have to drill through the floor of the transition strip and put some nails into it.
You will have to nail it down carefully because the top of the nail can cut under your foot, so make sure to nail it correctly.
- Wood carpet transition strips: Using a wood transition strip is a cost-effective choice.
These strips can be curved easily and come in a huge range of colors. You match it with your floor or carpet’s color.
5. Secure Edges Using a Heat machine
If you want to stop the fraying and keep your carpet original without giving it a different look, then try using a heat machine or a blow torch to melt the edges a little bit.
Do not hold the flame directly over the material of your carpet. It should be just close enough to cause a low melting but not too much that can burn your carpet.
Takeaway
There are ways to keep your carpet edges from fraying.
However, if your carpet is already frayed, you’ll have to repair the edges first.
These techniques will help you to restore the edges of your carpet. Now, you will have sealed your carpet edges.
Feel free to share your experience with carpet edges in the comments section below!
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