Please excuse the lateness of this reply. Several messages were lost in my Spam filter.

The Minnesota Historical Society has several historic homes that have both reproduction and artifact floor coverings in use.  We use a carpet pad, suggested by an industry salesman, which is firm and skid resistant called DuraHold Plus Oriental and Area Rug Underlay by No-Muv Corp., Inc.  Paul Storch performed an oddy test as described in Bamberger, et al (1999).  The product tested as acceptable for use in an open air environment, a floor, due to a modest presence of sulfur in the latex backing.  It would not be acceptable for use in an enclosed environment such as a case.  The rugs remain firmly in place and as of yet we have had no tripping/falling accidents.  I have been very satisfied with it's effectiveness.

I feel the Velcro application method as described here may not support the rug overall for the following reasons.  First, as you walk on rugs they move, expand and contract.  If one area is stuck firm while the other portion moves you can promote breakage of fibers, splits and/or tears.  Humidity fluctuations also expand and contract rugs which would require the staff to adjust the Velcro perimeter to meet this additional yardage however minimal. Otherwise bagging may occur in the center area of the rug. Maybe if the Velcro was applied in strips following the direction of traffic, similar to sewing a textile to a vertical mount, it would work.  But traffic patterns almost always change. I would test this procedure on an everyday rug at the site before applying it to an artifact. If it does work, we all want to hear about its success.

Thank you
Ann Frisina
Textile Conservator
Minnesota Historical Society
345 Kellogg Blvd. W.
St. Paul, MN. 55104
 
651 297-5490


-----Original Message-----
From: Textile Conservators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
Of Rebecca Bunch
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 9:03 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Historic Carpets


Hello, this is a follow up question to an inquiry posted March of 2003

I currently work in a historic house setting which sees a great amount of
visitor traffic.  The buildings themselves are not necessarily considered
museums because they are lived in by occupants as well as being open for
tours and functions, however we do have a collection of 6000+ artifacts
installed in various houses as well as our warehouse.
My current concern (one of many) deals with several of our asian/persian
carpets which are placed throughout the houses.  Because they are in high
traffic areas, many years ago someone came up with the solution of securing
them to the floor with heavy duty double sided tape to prevent possible
tripping hazards along the edges. The problem with this is obvious and until
recently the general attitude has been "it works so leave it" However, I
would like to change this method to a more suitable one.....



Part 2

I believe that we have come up with a possible solution to our tripping and
slipping problem with the carpets.  We are considering using 2" sticky
Velcro to adhere it to the hardwood floor and the non stick Velcro to be
sewn to the carpet.  What I propose is to have a band of fabric (unbleached
cotton ?) sewn to the top and bottom edges of the carpet and then have the
Velcro sewn to that, I'm hoping that this would minimize any pull on the
carpet if the piece has to be readjusted.  An under pad will also be placed
to reduce movement.
Realizing that this is not an ideal solution, can any one offer any
suggestions or comments on this option. Unfortunately the option to simply
leave them be is not there.
Thanks very much

Rebecca Bunch
Official Residences
National Capital Commission
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