Carpet binding, whipping and taping in Melksham

Taping, binding or whipping: what's the difference?

There are two ways to finish a cut carpet edge: tape edging, which most people call carpet binding or carpet taping, and whipping. Both count as carpet edging: they seal the cut edge and give it a finish you'd be happy to have on show.

Tape edging (carpet binding or taping)

A strip of tape is stitched all the way round the edge, which frames the carpet like a border. Cotton and herringbone tapes are the usual choice; we also have suede and leather. A bold contrast makes the edge a feature; a neutral close to the carpet colour keeps it quiet. This is the look people search for as a bordered rug or a stair carpet with a border.

Tape suits stair runners especially well. It's very much in fashion on staircases at the moment, from bright contrasts to patterned tapes. It works just as well on hallway runners and on rugs made from offcuts, where a coloured border can pick up the walls or the furniture.

Whipping

Yarn is wrapped tightly over the cut edge, all the way round, either matched to the carpet or in a contrast colour. The result is soft and blended, a more traditional finish where the edge seems to belong to the carpet rather than sit on top of it. We whip in British wool for rugs and runners, and in outdoor yarn for doormats and garden rugs, so the edge stands up to the weather.

If you want the carpet to be the star, go for whipping. If you want a frame, go for tape. Still not sure? We'll send tape samples so you can see them against your carpet at home before you decide.

What we bind and whip

• Rugs from your own carpet. Offcuts from a new fitted carpet are ideal, and the rug edging is your choice of tape or whipping. We cut them to any size or shape (circles and cut-outs too).
• Hallway runners. Cut to the exact length of your hall or landing, and several runners can come from one piece.
• Stair runners. Made to your measurements from new carpet or suitable existing carpet, taped or whipped.
• Doormats and outdoor rugs. Sized to your doorway or porch and whipped in outdoor yarn.

You don't have to buy carpet from us. Bring a piece you already have, or we can help you choose something new. One customer in Trowbridge brought us a huge piece of 1960s carpet, and we made several rugs from it in the sizes they needed.

Re-edging old rugs and rug edge repairs

If the binding on a rug has started to come away or wear through, we can often take the old edge off and finish it again with new tape or whipping. Andrew in Bath brought us a rug whose tape edge had come loose and had holes in it. We replaced the edging, and in his words, "the rug has been given a new lease of life."

A customer in Melksham had an old rug that had belonged to their mum. We whipped the edges so it could be used again. If you have a rug like that, send us a photo of the edge and we'll tell you what we can do.

Carpet binding near you, or anywhere in the UK

Everything is cut and finished by hand in our workshop in Melksham. We can arrange collection locally, so ask about collection and delivery when you call. We also take on work from anywhere in the UK: call Eleanor and she'll talk you through getting your carpet to us and back.

We also do finishing work for carpet shops and flooring businesses, returned ready for their customers.

What affects the price

Not sure which edge you want? Our guide to choosing between binding, whipping and taping compares them side by side.

We don't publish a price list, because no two pieces are the same. Every job is quoted on the size of the piece and the finish you want, plus any cutting to a new size or shape. For a quick quote, tell us roughly how big the piece is and which edge you have in mind. Photos of the carpet, or of the space it's going into, help a lot.

How it works

1. Call, email or send a message with what you have in mind.
2. We agree the size and the edge with you, and send tape samples if you'd like to see them at home.
3. Your carpet is cut and finished by hand in Melksham.
4. You collect it, or we deliver it, ready to go straight down.