Direct stick carpet has several advantages over conventionally laid carpet and dual bond carpet.

But for each plus, there is also a minus that has to be taken into account.

On the plus side, the carpet won't buckle or ripple in heavily used areas like 'stretched-in' carpet might.

This includes areas where wheeled trolleys or furniture might be pushed along.

The seams also tend to be more durable and less prone to peaking than on carpets laid over a cushion underlay, because there is less movement from compression.

There is also generally less expense and labour involved in installing direct stick carpet, since there is no underlay and you only need to spread the adhesive once.

But the absence of an underlay introduces various problems for direct stick carpet.

Tests have shown that wear and tear can be up to 40% greater when compared to carpet laid over a commercial underlay.

Pile crush is also more severe.

These factors significantly reduce the life span of direct stick carpet, and in the long run can make it more expensive when the early replacement cost is factored in.

Carpet without a cushion underlay also has less impact absorption.

This may cause muscle fatigue for people who walk around on it all day long.