Why do cars have carpet and any other alternative? - LotusTalk

chj · 02-26-2013, 07:08 AM

Hi,

With this active and diy community, I'm pretty sure someone can provide some inputs to this:
I've always been puzzled by car manufacturers using carpet on the floor since it's not easy to vacuum, as opposed to let's say some sort of rubberized material. In that case, if you really wants carpets, you just buy them as accessories, easy to remove and clean. One reason I can think of for using carpets is sound attenuation.

Is it possible in a Lotus Evora to replace the carpet used on the floor in the cabin and trunk? Has anyone done this?

Chris

jet37ski · 02-26-2013, 07:21 AM

I haven't messed with my carpets too much, but at least in the passenger foot well, it was just held in with some glue and velcro.
Although I haven't seen them myself, I would be surprised if the race versions of these cars had any carpet. I can tell you from a few other cars I've had that ditching the carpet will make it a lot louder in the cabin.

aschen · 02-26-2013, 08:35 AM

some cars do have rubberized floors, or at least used to. Things like base model trucks, jeeps.

I prefer laminate flooring im my cars though.

Plackslayer · 02-26-2013, 09:20 AM

Carpet is a cheap way to make it look good and dampen sound...

Just my thought.

XtinctElise · 02-26-2013, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chj

Any other alternative?

I would rip out the carpet and go with lightweight, sound deadening spray foam. A nice textured layer in your choice of yellow would look great!

Pry sucks to clean though.

Zwhitaker · 02-26-2013, 11:09 AM

It's sound deadening. You could do rubber??

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LiveToDrive · 02-26-2013, 01:08 PM

How about some linoleum? A nice fake wood grain floor would be rich and compelling.

Allan Gibbs · 02-26-2013, 01:29 PM

Am I the only one who likes carpeting? I would prefer marble flooring though.

anthonyseven · 02-26-2013, 02:58 PM

Diamond Plate!

XtinctElise · 02-26-2013, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthonyseven

Diamond Plate!

Diamond Plate belongs on garage cabinets and pegboard!

Mr.C · 02-26-2013, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtinctElise

Diamond Plate belongs on garage cabinets and pegboard!

I bet you have to wear sun glasses when pulling into that garage at night with the head lights on

Wmangm · 02-26-2013, 07:50 PM

Pergo.

evilfij · 02-26-2013, 07:53 PM

I put rubber mats in my elise. Been meaning to do the same in the exige, I just have not got more of the material. It is maybe 3/8ths thick and heavy. Cut to fit easy on flat floors. Btw land rover defender base models had no carpet. I very much prefer it and even in the most luxury cars, I always buy rubber mats for over the carpet.

Another option is coco mats which are rubber back woven mats. Popular with the Porsche folks.

drchris1 · 02-26-2013, 08:22 PM

I would say either bricks, like the old Purington ones, or maybe just sprinkle a 6 inch layer of "ghost poop" (those little styrofoam s'es). Whichever suits your needs the best. :-)

drchris1 · 02-26-2013, 08:23 PM

I have considered doing like some casual steak houses and covering the floor of my car with peanut shells. I'll post pics if I do that.

drchris1 · 02-26-2013, 08:24 PM

How about stucco for a nice Mediterranean look?

brgelise · 03-01-2013, 04:15 PM

Nice brick image linoleum!! definitely for sound. Notice how thick and padded ours is. Take it out as be surprised at how much louder things get!

Julian73 · 03-01-2013, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brgelise

Nice brick image linoleum!! definitely for sound. Notice how thick and padded ours is. Take it out as be surprised at how much louder things get!

great heat blocker too

Wmangm · 03-01-2013, 08:40 PM

Was going to tile but the hardybacker brings the seat up too high.

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02-26-2013, 07:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
chj Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 13	Why do cars have carpet and any other alternative? Hi, With this active and diy community, I'm pretty sure someone can provide some inputs to this: I've always been puzzled by car manufacturers using carpet on the floor since it's not easy to vacuum, as opposed to let's say some sort of rubberized material. In that case, if you really wants carpets, you just buy them as accessories, easy to remove and clean. One reason I can think of for using carpets is sound attenuation. Is it possible in a Lotus Evora to replace the carpet used on the floor in the cabin and trunk? Has anyone done this? Chris

02-26-2013, 08:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
aschen My car is really small Join Date: May 2008 Location: Woodlands Tx Posts: 1,765	some cars do have rubberized floors, or at least used to. Things like base model trucks, jeeps. I prefer laminate flooring im my cars though. __________________ Seriously, my car is small 07 Exige-S, "Landshark" 05 Saffron Yellow "bumbleBee", on to a new owner Also: 84 930 turbo, 06 WRX Wagon

02-26-2013, 11:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
Zwhitaker Z.whit Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Detroit/Cincinnati Posts: 2,224	Why do cars have carpet and any other alternative? It's sound deadening. You could do rubber?? Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App __________________ 06 Storm ti Exige 11 Mini Cooper Countryman Paypal- zwhitakerdesign@gmail.com Blog- http://www.cincyslim.blogspot.com Website- www.zwhitakerdesign.wix.com/design

02-26-2013, 07:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
Wmangm Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mojave Desert Posts: 87	Re: Why do cars have carpet and any other alternative? Pergo.

02-26-2013, 07:53 PM	#13 (permalink)
evilfij Land Rover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Main Line PA Posts: 1,182	I put rubber mats in my elise. Been meaning to do the same in the exige, I just have not got more of the material. It is maybe 3/8ths thick and heavy. Cut to fit easy on flat floors. Btw land rover defender base models had no carpet. I very much prefer it and even in the most luxury cars, I always buy rubber mats for over the carpet. Another option is coco mats which are rubber back woven mats. Popular with the Porsche folks. __________________ 2006 Autumn Gold Elise Lily RIP-rebirth by newowner 2007 Exige S Phantom Black Type 72D Trim Goldilocks

02-26-2013, 09:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
Plackslayer wait what? Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,785	Carpet is a cheap way to make it look good and dampen sound... Just my thought.

02-26-2013, 01:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
LiveToDrive Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Alta Loma, CA Posts: 201	How about some linoleum? A nice fake wood grain floor would be rich and compelling.

02-26-2013, 02:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
anthonyseven Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 222 Images: 2	Diamond Plate!

02-26-2013, 08:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
drchris1 Cerebellum Whisperer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rock Island, IL Posts: 352	I would say either bricks, like the old Purington ones, or maybe just sprinkle a 6 inch layer of "ghost poop" (those little styrofoam s'es). Whichever suits your needs the best. :-) __________________ '06 Elise, Aspen White, red interior, LSS, Touring, S111 Katana SC, Reverie CF scoops 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo, Rosso Leto / Ivory - another rare color combo sheesh, I'm drooling over my own car. 2007 Yamaha V-Max - the POWER BEAST for cruising with my wife ... probably selling soon! 2006 red Mustang GT convertible, stock - wife's fun car 2009 Toyota Rav4 - winter car, also for carrying anything larger than a toaster

02-26-2013, 08:23 PM	#15 (permalink)
drchris1 Cerebellum Whisperer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rock Island, IL Posts: 352	I have considered doing like some casual steak houses and covering the floor of my car with peanut shells. I'll post pics if I do that. __________________ '06 Elise, Aspen White, red interior, LSS, Touring, S111 Katana SC, Reverie CF scoops 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo, Rosso Leto / Ivory - another rare color combo sheesh, I'm drooling over my own car. 2007 Yamaha V-Max - the POWER BEAST for cruising with my wife ... probably selling soon! 2006 red Mustang GT convertible, stock - wife's fun car 2009 Toyota Rav4 - winter car, also for carrying anything larger than a toaster

02-26-2013, 08:24 PM	#16 (permalink)
drchris1 Cerebellum Whisperer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rock Island, IL Posts: 352	How about stucco for a nice Mediterranean look? __________________ '06 Elise, Aspen White, red interior, LSS, Touring, S111 Katana SC, Reverie CF scoops 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo, Rosso Leto / Ivory - another rare color combo sheesh, I'm drooling over my own car. 2007 Yamaha V-Max - the POWER BEAST for cruising with my wife ... probably selling soon! 2006 red Mustang GT convertible, stock - wife's fun car 2009 Toyota Rav4 - winter car, also for carrying anything larger than a toaster

03-01-2013, 04:15 PM	#17 (permalink)
brgelise Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 2,499 Images: 9	Nice brick image linoleum!! definitely for sound. Notice how thick and padded ours is. Take it out as be surprised at how much louder things get! __________________ 04 Skip Barber Race School, Competition certificate 04 Jaguar XJ Vandan Plas Radiance Red Ivory leather 08 Isuzu Ascender Lux Flint Grey, Grey leather 10 Lotus Evora Persian Blue, Charcoal w/Ivory header 11 BMW Xdrive35d, Vermillion Red w/Cinnamon Brown 2005 Elise gone but never forgotten as it taught me to drive quickly!

03-01-2013, 08:40 PM	#19 (permalink)
Wmangm Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mojave Desert Posts: 87	Re: Why do cars have carpet and any other alternative? Was going to tile but the hardybacker brings the seat up too high. Sent from my Nexus 7 using AutoGuide.Com Free App

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