Large Format Rugs on Site: Measuring and Laying
A large rug goes in smoothly when three things are checked before ordering: the finished floor size, the route from the gate to the room, and the floor the rug will lie on. In Indian high rises the route is usually the problem, because a rolled 12x15 ft rug is longer than most service lifts are deep.
In short
- A 12x15 ft rug rolled along its length makes a roll about 3600 mm long, which is longer than the inside depth of most residential lifts.
- Measure a room for a large rug after the floor is finished and the skirting is fixed, and leave 200 to 450 mm of floor showing on each side.
- Check the service lift's inside depth, door width and ceiling height before a large rug is delivered to a high rise flat.
- Rugberry offers designs such as the Plush Wool Rug and Cadence Wool Rug in stock sizes up to 12x15 ft, and in any size to order.
The guidance here is for designers and site teams planning the move. Rugberry does not offer an installation service, so the laying is done by the site or the household.
When should you measure for a large rug?
Measure after the floor finish and skirting are complete, not from the architectural plan. Marble cladding, skirting and built in joinery can each take 20 to 40 mm off a wall, and a large rug magnifies small errors.
Measure the room at three points across each direction and use the smallest figure. Mark the furniture positions with tape, then decide the rug edge, leaving 200 to 450 mm of floor between rug and wall in most living rooms.
Our guide on how to measure for a rug covers the furniture rules. For the largest stock sizes, see the 12x15 ft rugs.
How big is a large rug when rolled?
A rug rolled along its length makes a roll as long as its width: a 12x15 ft rug becomes a roll about 3600 mm long, and a 10x14 ft rug a roll about 3000 mm long. The roll's diameter depends on pile and construction, and a deep pile makes a fatter roll.
| Rug size | Roll length if rolled along the length | Floor covered |
|---|---|---|
| 8x10 ft | about 2400 mm | 80 sq ft |
| 9x12 ft | about 2700 mm | 108 sq ft |
| 10x14 ft | about 3000 mm | 140 sq ft |
| 12x15 ft | about 3600 mm | 180 sq ft |
Ask for the rug to be rolled along its length, pile facing out, so the roll is as short as possible. Rolling pile out protects the backing and makes unrolling easier.
Will a large rug fit in the lift?
Often it will not fit the passenger lift, so check the service lift before delivery. Ask the society office for the inside depth, door width and ceiling height of the service lift, and measure them on site to be sure.
A roll can sometimes travel standing at an angle, using the diagonal of the car, which is longer than its depth. If the roll is longer than that diagonal, plan the staircase route, and check the turns at each landing as well as the stair width.
- Book the service lift and the loading bay with the society in advance.
- Protect lift walls and marble lobbies with blankets or sheets.
- Do not fold a large rug to make it fit without asking the maker first, as a hard crease can mark the pile.
In Indian high rises, the hardest part of a large rug is the service lift, not the room.
How many people does it take to lay a large rug?
A large rug needs at least two people to carry and three to four to lay well, more for a hand-knotted piece. The Stratum Knotted Rug in Dune, hand knotted New Zealand wool in 9x12 ft, is dense and fine, and dense rugs are heavy for their size.
Clear the room first, or move furniture to one side. Lay the underlay, place the roll along the wall where the rug edge will sit, and unroll slowly toward the opposite side, adjusting as you go rather than dragging at the end.
How do you settle a large rug after unrolling?
Settle a large rug by letting it lie flat for a day or two, then rolling any lifted corner the other way for a few minutes. Most curl from rolling relaxes once the rug warms to room temperature.
The Plush Wool Rug in Ivory, handloom New Zealand wool with a deep, quiet pile, will show roll marks and pile shading at first. A gentle brush in the direction of the pile and a few days of use even it out.
The Cadence Wool Rug has stepped bands, so check that the bands sit square to the sofa or the wall before you put furniture back. Correcting a 15 ft rug by 50 mm is easy now and hard later.
What underlay does a large rug need on marble?
A large rug on marble, granite or vitrified tile needs a full size underlay cut about 50 mm inside the rug edge. The underlay stops creep, cushions the pile and keeps a heavy rug from rippling where people walk.
Lay the underlay first and tape it to itself, not to the floor. Rugberry lists options in its rug underlays collection.
Frequently asked questions
Does Rugberry install large rugs?
No, Rugberry does not offer an installation service. The site team or household lays the rug, and a large rug is a straightforward job for three or four people with the room cleared.
Can a large rug be folded to fit a lift?
Avoid folding unless the maker has confirmed it is safe for that construction. A hard fold can crease the pile or stress the backing, so plan the route around the roll length instead.
How long should a large rug lie before furniture goes back?
Put furniture back once the rug lies flat and square, usually within a day. Moving heavy pieces onto a rug that is still curling can lock a ripple in place.
Measure the floor, then measure the lift. Material first.
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.