Carpet glue is necessary for one of the most popular installation methods out there which professionals choose over and over again. This way, you wont have to deal with any creases or bumps that may become evident once the carpet has been laid. Installing carpet on stairs can be tricky and time-consuming, but it can be accomplishedeven by noviceswith some understanding and patience. Measure the Room. This is one of the most popular glues in the market and rightly so. You need high-quality carpet glue if you choose the glue down carpet installation method! You should have two for each step: one on the tread and the other on the riser. If any glue remains, use a putty knife to scrape the glue away. With this tool, you can be confident that your carpet will never suffer a poor cut! Undertaking a project like this requires patience, endurance, and forethought to ensure that you can achieve the results you want, and with the least amount of effort. It will allow you to secure the carpet to the floor in no time. Next, make a slit directly in line with each post to the edge of the carpet away from the stair. Remember: If the runner begins to buckle, pull it up from the tack strip and begin again. Step 9: Repeat this step until you reach the last step. When youre installing a carpet, the finesse and precision of a cut can significantly impact the appearance of the carpet. A carpet installation project often requires seaming pieces of the floor covering together. Trent loves this utility knife for projects like this. Carpet lovers evaluate Persian rugs for their high durability, unusual patterns, and bright colors. Ive always been a lover of vintage rugs. Make sure to hold the carpet straight and keep it taut. While you have to squeeze the carpet stapler to staple the carpet, you have to use the carpet hammer tacker by smacking it into the carpet like a hammer. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Use a hammer to tap the pry bar under the tack strip, then pry the tack strip away. If you are satisfied with the material underneath the carpet and want to continue, begin at the top of the stairs. A Roberts Knee Kicker. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Purchase it if the grace of the carpet is important to you! You can find this material in many shapes and sizes, but remember that high-quality stair padding is thicker than wall-to-wall padding. Put away the pliers. Carefully place the tack strip and any pieces or tacks into a contractor bag. When you finally reach the top riser, fold the carpets upper edge back on itself and staple it just underneath the overhanging lip of the flooring. Then, staple the runner into the crease where the riser and tread meet on either end of the strip as well as each outer edge, two inches from the bottom of the riser. The carpet can be wrapped around the curved lip of the stair by making a slit as was done for the cap stair, and flexing the carpet around the bend. Building codes control the dimensions of treads and risers. You'll need to determine if you have cap stairs, pie stairs, bullnoses, or Hollywood stairs. Tiny nails, tacks with wide tops, strips of adhesive and staples are usually used to keep a carpet in place on one of the high traffic areas of a home. Carpet seaming is a challenging procedure that is a part of carpet installation projects! Plus, its possible to complete this installation project in only a few hours. Visit a carpeting outlet to see samples of the patterns and colors available. We know how important a tool like this can be so we only recommend the best! Of all of the options available to you, a machine-hemmed, prefabricated stair runner is the most convenient choice for easy installation. Use the pliers to grab the carpet pile of the carpet on the top stair riser. Remove padding in the same fashion. The seam iron should enable you to adjust the temperature and equitably distribute heat to the carpet fibers. Work from the middle out. Use a placer of two strips taped together to measure how high to place it. Keep the padding within the inner perimeter formed by the strips. Butt it against the scrap and nail. To install carpet on steps, you can measure the tread and riser for one step in inches and then multiply it with the total number of stairs. You can either use a straightedge or your fingers to press the carpet to the riser to make sure it sticks properly. Hit kicker with knee. A seam roller is a handy tool that enables you to bring the carpet pile together thereby showing as little of the seam as possible. Pull up a small corner of the carpet to get a look at what is underneath. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. By submitting your email, you agree to our, $28 to $33 per linear foot (synthetic runner); $30 to $100 (wool), 5 Easy Ways to Remove Scratches from a Glass Window, This Quick Tip Will Help You Space Balusters Evenly, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. So make a wise decision unless you want to feel upset. It has a pretty ergonomic and non-slip plastic handle which will let you use it comfortably. A tack strip cutter can ensure youre better able to make clean cuts on the tack strip and preserve the look! Center the carpet on the bottom edge of the steps. Step 7: Repeat the process until you reach the bottom of the staircase. Carpet glue is necessary for one of the most 2. Refold and track the carpet for the next rod. While it is possible to install carpeting without a stretcher, the results will look terrible, with wrinkles and lumps quickly forming. Trim the excess carpet at the end. The thin, dense pad helps to quiet and cushion footsteps, but it also prevents the runner from wearing out prematurely. Before you get started installing your carpet, you first need to determine the look you want in your home. Using a hammer stapler and starting in the center of each stair tread, staple the carpet pad in place. The name of the tool itself is pretty self-explanatory. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2014 |Handyman tips |All Rights Reserved. The larger the pattern, the more waste you will have. Using a blunt carpet knife can be frustrating and cause you embarrassment as you ruin your expensive new floor covering. WebThe first step of installing carpet on stairs is the tack strips. She has written nearly 100 articles for The Spruce, mainly covering everything having to do with carpeting from colors and filaments to runners to area rugs. The [amazon link=B00BC1ZIL2 title=Crain 450 Deluxe Carpet Strip Cutter/] is made with sharp durable blades that can cut tack strips both straightly and diagonally. Step 6: Keeping in mind the pattern of the carpet, unroll the material so that its back end is facing the steps. Step 1: Measure the stairs to calculate the length of the carpet youll need. Step 2: Cut the carpet for installation but add about 20 percent for wastage. Of course, covering your steps with a carpet or a runner can be a little heavy on the pocket since youll have to spend a considerable sum on purchasing the material as well as pay a professional to do the job for you. By Jill Lawrence O'Hara and Bob Vila | Updated Nov 3, 2020 9:13 AM. She is a writer and fact checker for TripSavvy, as well as a fact-checker for The Spruce. The carpet installation process for concrete stairs isnt much different from that of a marble staircase. Tip: Staple carpet directly to stairs, never through the pad. Step 2: Measure the total length of the stairs (treads and risers) in inches and then divide the sum with 12 to get the value in feet. To install a carpet, you may need some tools from the following: carpet glue, knife, seam iron, seam roller, stapler, tape, stair tool, knee kicker, cushion-back carpet cutter, hammer tacker and tack strip cutter. Subtract the width of the runner from the width of the staircase (between baluster and skirtboard) and divide by two. Good padding is worth the investment, because it can extend the life of the carpet on this highly trafficked corridor. Hold down front knob with one hand, using the other hand to keep the kickers shaft level. This creates a clean line between the bottom of the stairs and the flooring. For the tread, fasten the carpet to the floor under the nosing, and bring the carpet straight over the lip and across the tread. It ensures that your floor coverings will stay securely in place for at least 6 months. If there is carpet on the floor above the top stair, cut the carpet under the nose of the top stair using a utility knife . Fit the cut carpet to the stair. link to How Can You Tell if a Rug is Vintage? Tools like carpet glue, carpet stapler, carpet seam iron, carpet seam roller, carpet stair tool, hammer tacker and carpet tape are a few tools that you may need for the carpeting project! Tack strips are strips of wood with sharp pointed tacks. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. If you have larger wooden posts, you may have to trim some excess carpet around the base of each post. Although the process to install carpet on steps may take more than a few hours, the end result will definitely be worth all the hassle. These pads should not cover any of the tack strips, however. Step 2. Carpet runner Marble adhesive Carpet cutter Measuring tape Chalk Caulking gun (optional) Straightedge (optional) Procedure Step 1: Measure the stairs to calculate the length of the carpet youll need. If you want to ensure that the carpet appears flat and tight across the floor, you must use a power carpet stretcher! The Henry #663 Carpet Adhesive is a terrific glue that will amaze you with its performance. Carpet Stapler. What Are Witches Stairs and Why Do They Even Exist? The [amazon link=B07TSYW8BS title=Hoteche Heavy-Duty Hammer Tacker/] is the perfect tool for your carpet installation project if you have a large area to cover. If thats the case with your carpeted stairs, you may be thinking of tearing up the carpet to give it an update or replace it with a new look entirely. Can You Install New Carpeting Over Old Carpeting? Use a hammer stapler and staple the carpet pad in place starting from the center of each stair tread. Removing carpet from the stairs requires more tools and safety equipment than you might expect. How To Build a DIY Slide: Indoor & Outdoor Instructions, 7 Types of Rugs to Know Before Buying One. If you are replacing old carpet, leave the tack strips in place for reuse with the new carpet. Slice into the carpet, starting in the back corner of the tread and continuing across it. There are different ways to install a carpet without tack strips, but we will show you how to use them. You can also use a grinder to level the surface if needed. Carpet Knife. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Install your pre-cut stair carpet starting from the bottom stair and work your way up. Carpeting is now often sold with installation costs included since so few consumers want to go through the headache of DIY installation. Professional installation by an experienced crew is now so inexpensive and quick that it's hard to justify doing this work yourself. Find trusted local pros for any home project. After all, it can secure the carpet at the edges of the stair and cause it to look more elegant! Prepare for the possibility that youll need to replace parts of the stairs, fix breaks, or treat infestations after removing the carpet. Wrap the carpet around each post. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board. 4. In case you fall, carpeted stairs will provide you with much better padding than the cold, hard marble, wooden, or concrete steps. Before getting started, be sure to learn the terms for the different parts of your staircase. Ensure there arent any air bubbles trapped under the surface of the carpet and that it has been fitted tightly against each step. Therefore, I decided to share my experience and knowledge in this niche. Whether you plan to pick up a runner that is ready to go, or craft something totally custom, youll first need to collect all your necessary measurements. The die cast handle is also a wonderful feature of this carpet seam roller. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years. Recenter the runner, then push the carpet back over the nosing and toward the next tack strip. Once youve finalized a stunning carpet, you have to get it installed at your home. If you want an elegant staircase that has a perfectly installed carpet, you need a carpet stair tool! Its usually attached with stapleslots of them! Even my own experience with it has been positive which is why I recommend it! Repeat every 3 inches, side to side. Foam-backed rugs: Avoid pinless rods entirely on spiral staircases. To make the template, measure each individual step and riser, as they may not all be built to the exact same dimension. When you're satisfied with the carpet placement, staple the carpet onto the riser just below the tread. Next up: Time to choose a carpet. You can also send us your suggestions and feedback on blog@zameen.com. Glue the carpet on the landing as per your preference and cut away the rest. They are also generally safer as you are less likely to slip and lose your balance while climbing carpet-covered steps. The thing is, carpeting your stairs is not as difficult as it looks. You can use it comfortably without having to worry about the performance. However, to achieve this at home, you need to understand how to install carpet on stairs. Apart from that, the swivel head does a wonderful job in stretching angles or corners. Roberts Knee Kicker is an Industry Standard, there are others, but most of us Pro's use a 2. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 for each stair until you reach a landing or the top riser. Stair runners are priced by the linear foot, and available in two widths: 27 inches and 32 inches. Most experts recommend adding 5 percent overage for waste on a non-patterned carpet, and you should add another 5 percent, for a total of 10 percent overage, for patterned carpeting. While the tool may look intimidating, it operates on a very simple principle. While carpet installation will require many standard home-shop toolssuch as a hammer, utility stapler, tin snips, chalk line, and utility knifethere will be several carpet-specific tools you will need in order to do the work correctly. WebCut and install the carpet. Wide Economy Knee Kicker The Economy Knee Kicker secures carpet during The Economy Knee Kicker secures carpet during installation and makes it easy to fix loose carpet. Step 4: Spread the carpet adhesive on the treads and edges of the concrete stairs with a trowel. You should think about all the rooms worth carpeting! The width of the stairs depends on how much of the area you want to cover. Dont use standard foam padding; its too soft to provide the necessary support. If any hardwood floor is involved, there may be a need of tapping the staple with a hammer. Regardless of whether it is used on the edge of the stairs or the side of the walls to tuck the floor covering, the tool works perfectly! WebIn this video, i show you how to install Carpet TREADS on hardwood stairs and we'll DIY this in less than Half a day. Installing stair treads on carpeted surfaces is simple, but it's important to take the necessary safety precautions to ensure your stair treads are secure and will stay put. Grab a sharp utility knife and a measuring tape and get to work. Step 2: Measure the stairs (tread + riser) and cut the padding for each step. Cut the carpet to fit the bottom of each stair, the area where the foot will fall. Lets take a look at some of the things you need for carpet installation. Center the cut strippins angled toward riserbetween the layout marks. Repeat the process as you work your way down the stairs. After you remove carpeting from your stairs, you may find that the carpet was hiding water damage, mold, cracks, breaks, or even pest damage. If you do get a fiber caught, gently pull it out using a flat-head screwdriver. Still, there may be instances where your budget is so tight that saving on installation costs is critical. There are a few carpet installation tools that you need to have. Ive experienced success in using it to tuck the carpet in various crevices. Combination square Dust mask Scissors Stick on carpet edge binding found at Home Depot by the carpet runner or try this product. Smooth and stretch the pad, so it fits tightly against the tread and riser, then staple it to the riser. Hold them in place and mark the locations of the screw holes. It also makes the carpet feel soft under your feet. To begin, use a utility knife to cut the padding into rectangles that are the same width as the length of each tack strip (to ensure that the padding wont stick out under the carpet), and three inches longer than the depth of the tread. Safety glasses are especially important during this part of the project, when tacks and wood can fly off in all directions. Step 4: Measure the width of the carpet or runner. So, if you wish to enhance the beauty of your stairway with a stunning carpet, here is all you need to know about installing carpet on wooden stairs. Before you begin removing the tack strip, be sure to put on your safety glasses if youre not already wearing them. A Carpet Tack Strip Cutter does exactly what the name suggests, it cuts tack strips! You wont have to worry about installing your carpet with this tape since its so easy to use. Moreover, dont forget to subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date about the latest construction and property trends in the country. Theres a lot to love about carpet when its new. Carefully place tackless strips on the riser and back of each tread as shown. If you have pie-shaped, or curved, stairs, install the carpet on theriser in the same way as mentioned above. While some carpet seam irons can end up harming the fibers, this one is designed to never do so. If the top and bottom steps measure differently than the rest, youll have to add their measurements separately. Marble stairs have become somewhat of a default fixture in modern houses and for a good reason. Compared to carpeting in other parts of the home, stairs can begin to look threadbare much sooner. Butt pad to front edge of tackless strip. Some contractors will charge per step, and that ranges from $10 to $45 per step. Screw each bracket to tread and riser. With the vintage rug, the room seems cozier. Supplies needed to install carpet runner on stairs Carpet runner Pneumatic staple gun these can be rented by the day Hammer Nippers Pry bar Tape measure this self centering one is perfect for this job! The durable chrome-plated steel stair tool is highly durable and uses heavy duty blades to set carpets in difficult crevices. You need to fold the edges around the step, using a rubber mallet and stair tool to crease the carpet into the seams and attach it to the tackless strip. The only concerns people have with the usage of carpet glue revolves around the fact that it isnt environmentally friendly and can make it difficult to remove the carpet. This step-by-step The [amazon link=B000M34S08 title=ROBERTS Electric Carpet Stapler/] is the perfect tool if you want to avoid the use of adhesives. Is this a good reason to schedule a house re-warming? 1/ Roberts Electric Staple gun. Starting from the middle of each step, staple the padding on the stairs. Cut carpet pad the same width as the tackless strips and 3 inches longer than the depth of the tread. Even professional installation teams have been known to get this wrong. You can remove the carpet from the treads using the same method as the risers, or you can use a knee-kick tool to quickly release the tension on the carpet so that you can easily life it from the tack strip instead of prying it away. Staple across the entire length of the pad. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You need to measure each step very carefully and cut a carpet pad to fit onto each step and riser. Are you excited about decorating your home? The Crain 301 Cushion Back Carpet Cutter is a perfect addition to your carpet installation equipment! Once you are happy with the carpet placement, secure the carpet down with staples. Pull the carpet off of the stair riser by hand. If the carpet padding is glued down, use a putty knife to scrape the glue and carpet padding off the stairs. When installing a carpet in the stairs, you need a tool to help you drive the carpet in some areas to improve the overall look. When she is not working, you'll find her reading a comic book, browsing through Netflix, or planning her next travel adventure. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Weve discussed the carpet installation process for all three types of stairs in our comprehensive guide. Runner should engage tackless strip and become taut. Step 3. Then, using a tape measure and a straightedge, cut the carpet to template size. Pull pad tight around nosing and staple every 3 inches into underside of nosing. The tool originates from Germany and is quite handy. A hammer tacker is a tool that differs from carpet staplers in the way it operates! Instead, you'll need to measure each step and cut the carpet to fit. Using a knee kicker, stretch the carpet tight to the back of the tread, and hold it in place until staples can be applied to the back of the tread behind the tack strip. Install Tack Strips With a Gap Between the Wall, For Patterned Carpet, Buy an Extra 5 Percent, Do Not Attach Padding Over the Tack Strips, Consider Carpet Pile Direction When Seaming, How to Get Wrinkles Out of Carpet Without a Stretcher, Carpet Installation: What to Know Before You Buy. If you follow our DIY guide on how to install carpet on stairs, you can upgrade your entire home dcor and give your staircase a stylish makeover all by yourself. If this is the case, plan for a lot of scraping to get the old glue off and the possibility of damage to the underlying floor. WebMaterials and Tools Required to Install Carpet on Marble Stairs Lets take a look at some of the things you need for carpet installation. WebHow much does it cost to carpet 13 stairs? Kick back and relax now that the work is done. Treads are typically 10 to 11-1/2 inches deep; the deeper the tread, the more comfortable the climb. You will need only those tools which suit your installation method and aim. Now that you have the low-down on how to install carpets on your stairs, it is time to get stuck into your next DIY project. Repeat the process with the next riser. After you have measured and obtained the correct length of Stair Runner, you'll need some additional tools to complete the installation, including a. The [amazon link=B00A953Y8Q title=Delphin Dolphin Carpet Knife/] is a terrific investment if youre going to install a carpet. In carpeting projects, precision is important and the ROBERTS carpet stapler offers you just that. The [amazon link=B000COXP2O title=Roberts 10-254V Value Kit Power-Lok Carpet Stretcher/] is a kit that can help you install wall-to-wall carpeting in a better way. While you could use an ordinary utility knife, it wont give you the same level of control and precision a carpet knife can. While it may seem a little odd to use at first, you will get comfortable when you use the carpet stapler for a while and get the hang of it. These are pieces of wood similar to yardsticks which use tacks to hold the carpet in place. Push end of runner against floor at bottom of first riser. The thick and fluffy pile becomes hard and compacted, while stains and discolorations may be visible reminders of household spills and mishaps. Ill help you figure out the tools that you will need! The pad should be cut to precisely fit between the tackless strips you'll be nailing to the back of the tread and the bottom of the riser. If your staircase curves or the walls aren't plumb, you won't be able to use a template to cut the carpet pieces for each step. This will save you time, money, and effort. An easy step-by-step guide to putting down a stair rug runner. A carpeted staircase can add a touch of comfort and softness to your home. While carpet staplers take more effort to use, the hammer tacker makes it easier to get the job done without exerting too much effort. The best thing about this cutter in particular is how the 30 degree blade ensures a clean and precise cut. You'll need some slack to work with so that you don't tug too hard on the bottom and cause the entire roll to fall down on you. How Much Does Professional Carpet Cleaning Cost? If youre not going to use adhesives, you can consider using a carpet stapler instead! Step 1: Fix the cracks and holes in the concrete steps. You need high-quality carpet glue if you choose the glue down carpet installation method! Step 7: Repeat the process until you reach the landing. Slide a putty knife under the tack strip to help protect the stair, then place the edge of a pry bar on top of the putty knife and under the edge of the tack strip. If you want to install a carpet in the stairs, you absolutely need this stair tool! Mark and cut rods to length with a tubing cutter or hacksaw. Use XFasten Carpet Tape if you wish to protect pets, elderly and children. It is a strong performer that rarely ever jams. You can then fold the carpet over and bring it together to cover the entire step. It is found most commonly at the very bottom of the staircase as the first stair. If you plan to install a stair runner without tack strips, you first need to be prepared. I read and read and read about home decor. Fold the edges around the step and use a stair tool and a rubber mallet to crease the carpet into the seam and secure it to the tackless strip. Slide a putty knife under the tack strip to help protect the stair, then place the edge of a pry bar on top of the putty knife and under the edge of the tack strip. Now it was time to finally place the carpet runner! This tool is designed to cut through carpet backing yet be precisely straight when in use. Using the kicker, stretch the carpet over the side tack strips (if against a wall) by positioning the kicker to face the wall and stretching in that direction. Its thick and fluffy, feels great on your feet, and adds warmth and comfort to your home. Ensure you have tools such as: carpet adhesive, seam iron, seam roller glue, stair tool, cushion-back carpet cutter, knee kicker, tack strip cutter and hammer tacker. Never opt for an inferior carpet knife. The [amazon link=B000CP2LLO title=Roberts Carpet Tools 3-1/2-Inch Stair Tool/] can be particularly useful when youre placing a floor covering on the stairs. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Hold them in place and mark the locations of the screw holes. Another option for stairs is a blended carpet. It is strong and durable making it perfect for heavy-duty use! This is a standard rule of carpet installation: Do not lay the padding over the tackless strips. If you plan on carpeting your stairs, then you might want to invest in a superior carpet stapler. Even if you remove the tape, you will not have to struggle with any floor issues which are incredibly common with carpet installation methods using glue! Once you are satisfied with the runners position, use a carpet awl to push it tightly into the seam between the tread and the riser, and into your tack strips.