15/05/2025

LYFE THURSDAY | MAY 15, 2025

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Malaysian Paper

@thesundaily @t

Ű BY R BALA

A LTHOUGH it is less popular in homes in warmer countries such as Malaysia, carpets do offer that special feeling of comfort and cosiness. Whether in a living room or a bedroom, having thick carpeting cushion your every footstep can make you feel as if you are cocooned in luxury. Hence, many residents still prefer installing carpets – even if it is in a small home office. But before you embark on what is likely to be a costly fitting – carpets are not cheap – there are a few things you need to consider. Taking the time to do the necessary prep work will mean the entire process will be less of a headache. Properly preparing your home for carpet installation not only ensures a professional finish but also helps extend the lifespan of your new carpet. By taking the time to prepare, you can avoid common issues such as uneven surfaces, moisture problems and delays in the installation process. In short, preparation can save you time, money and stress in the long run. Completely clear area It may seem obvious but you will need to clear the area of all furniture and any floor-resting decorations. This will make it easier for the installer to just concentrate on the job at hand. If you are a DIY enthusiast, this prep stage is absolutely essential to ensuring the carpet installation gets off to a good start.

Carpets give rooms a sense of warmth

and cosiness. – PICS FROM PEXELS

To-do list before installing carpets

will strive for. Denser materials can be used to reduce noise pollution as well as improve the durability of your carpets. Check subfloor Prevention is better than costly repairs. Before installing the carpet, it would be wise to carry out a thorough inspection of the subfloor for any damage or uneven areas. Sorting these issues out will prevent futrure problems such as unsightly wrinkles or bulges. Plenty of airflow Proper ventilation will help the carpet dry faster. It will also help dissipate the odours. Open all windows, if possible, to facilitate this process as the chemicals and glues will give off a thick smell that can last for quite awhile. Use fans to promote airflow, which will help the drying process.

difficulty, but there is not much you can do if a carpet is not large enough. You will find yourself trying to cover the “bald” patch with all manner of furnishings, which is something you will want to avoid. Pad it right This is essential as the right padding will make the carpet feel like you are walking on air. Thicker padding will provide greater cushioning and this is usually the effect most homeowners

thoroughly clean surface will ensure the carpet’s proper adhesion and prevent any unsightly bumps or lumps from forming. Take measuring tape out Again, this may seem obvious but it is absolutely vital that you get the dimensions spot on. Be extra careful in ensuring that the measurements are precise to avoid a carpet that does not fit. Extra carpeting can be trimmed off, albeit with some

o Keep headaches away by doing necessary prep work Thorough clean Have a super-strong and powerful vacuum cleaner on standby. Before the carpet is installed, the relevant floor space should be completely free of any dust, dirt or debris. A For Chinese manufacturers, already dealing with a saturated domestic market, the raft of tariffs is potentially bad news. Many shifted operations to Southeast Asia hoping to avoid punitive measures imposed by Washington and the European Union as they try to protect and nurture domestic solar industries. The proposed new duties range from around 40% for some Malaysian exports to an eye-watering 3,521% for some Cambodia-based manufacturers. Tariffs ‘accelerate’ transition But there may be a silver lining for the region, explained Asia Research & Engagement managing director Ben McCarron. “The tariffs and trade war are likely to accelerate the energy transition in Southeast Asia,” he said. China will “supercharge efforts” in regional markets and push for policy and implementation plans to “enable fast adoption of green energy across the region”, driven by its exporters. Analysts have long warned that countries in the region are moving too slowly to transition from fossil fuels such as coal. “At the current pace, it (Southeast Asia) risks missing out on the opportunities provided by the

Use a powerful vacuum to clean surfaces before carpet installation.

US solar tariffs could drive Asia transition boom

MASSIVE planned US duties on solar panels made in Southeast Asia could be a chance for the region to ramp up its own long-stalled energy transition, experts said. Earlier this month, Washington announced plans for hefty duties on solar panels made in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia. The levies follow an investigation, launched before US President Donald Trump took office, into “unfair practices” in the countries, particularly by Chinese-headquartered firms. If approved next month, they will pile upon tariffs already imposed by the Trump administration, including blanket 10% levies for most countries. For the US market, the consequences are likely to be severe. China makes eight out of every 10 solar panels globally and controls 80% of every stage of the manufacturing process. The new tariffs “will practically make solar exports to US impossible commercially”, said think tank Energy Shift Institute managing director Putra Adhiguna. Southeast Asia accounted for nearly 80% of US solar panel imports in 2024. And while investment in solar production has ramped up in the US in recent years, the market still relies heavily on imported components.

Southeast Asia accounts for nearly 80% of US solar panel imports last year. – AFPPIC

export-led momentum into a homegrown cleantech revolution,” said Yang. “Clearance prices”may be attractive to some, but countries in the region and beyond may also be cautious about a flood of solar, said Adhiguna. Major markets such as Indonesia and India already have measures in place intended to favour domestic solar production. “Many will hesitate to import massively, prioritising trade balance and aims to create local green jobs,“ he said. – AFP

been “largely opportunistic, focused on leveraging domestic resources or labour advantages for export gains”, he said. Cut off from the US market, it could instead focus on local energy transitions, speeding green energy uptake locally and driving a new market that “could serve as a natural hedge against external volatility”. Still, replacing the US market will not be easy, given its size and the relatively nascent state of renewables in the region. “Success hinges on turning this

declining costs of wind and solar, now cheaper than fossil fuels,” said energy think tank Ember in a report last year. For example, Malaysia relied on fossil fuels for over 80% of its electricity generation last year. It aims to generate 24% from renewables by 2030, a target that has been criticised as out of step with global climate goals. The tariff regime represents a double opportunity for the region, explained Ember senior energy analyst Muyi Yang. So far, the local solar industry has