The only main difference is that there will be a lot more excess to trim. 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. Repeat this process for the entire length of the staircase. First, we cut the pad to fit each step. You wont have to exert a lot of pressure on the Delphin Knife to cut the floor covering. Carpet Adhesive Beige #663/] is a perfect purchase if you want a successful carpet installation. When youre installing a carpet, the finesse and precision of a cut can significantly impact the appearance of the carpet. Hold them in place and mark the locations of the screw holes. Mark and cut rods to length with a tubing cutter or hacksaw. They are easy to clean, less likely to stain, and of course, they give your living space a modern and luxurious look. The 12 Carpet Installation Tools (You Need to do it Right) 1. Staple across the entire length of the pad. Keep the padding within the inner perimeter formed by the strips. Make sure to wrap the padding around the nose of the treads perfectly and staple it in place before moving to the next step. In other words, using this knee kicker ensures the carpet is taut when installed! 2/ 9/16 Electric Gun Staples. 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. Carpeting on stairs is usually priced differently because of the specialized skill needed and additional tools. 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. Measure each step individually and cut a quality carpet pad to fit each step and riser as shown. Its usually attached with stapleslots of them! In case you fall, carpeted stairs will provide you with much better padding than the cold, hard marble, wooden, or concrete steps. By Jill Lawrence O'Hara and Bob Vila | Updated Nov 3, 2020 9:13 AM. WebThe first step of installing carpet on stairs is the tack strips. 18 Designs for Basement Stairs that Add Style and Function, Step 7: Begin Installing Carpet on Stairs, How to Paint a Staircase to Spruce Up Your Entryway, How to Pour Concrete Steps for a Porch or Outdoor Entryway, 38 DIY Headboard Ideas for a Low-Cost Bedroom Refresh, How to Build Outdoor Wooden Steps to Spruce Up Your Entry, 34 Fun Window Treatment Projects to Add Personality to Any Room, How to Install Loose-Lay Sheet Vinyl Flooring in a Few Hours, How to Build Storage Under Basement Stairs in Only a Few Hours, Your Step-by-Step Guide to Reupholstering a Chair, How to Build Wide Deck Steps for a Grand Backyard Entrance, How to Make a Pallet Potting Bench for Your Gardening Projects, How to Make Your Own Colorful Punch Needle Designs at Home. Tack strips are strips of wood with sharp pointed tacks. 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! So to add a bit of cushion to each tread, we installed an affordable carpet pad on each step. 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. 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. to Installing Carpet on Stairs When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. A carpeted stairway quiets your home by softening footsteps and absorbing sound waves. Tamp it down to hold in place, or as an alternative secure it with staples. The Crain 450 Deluxe Carpet Strip Cutter is one of the best cutters out there in the market! Installing a set of stair treads on your steps is a great way to protect your stairs. The [amazon link=B0141L81GS title=XFasten Double Sided Carpet Tape/] is a residue free tape that is safe to use on multiple surfaces like wood, foam and rubber. The Delphin Carpet Knife is a favorite among professionals for its precision and performance. Why Does My Washing Machine Smell When I Use It? Step 4 Shape Pad to Step Wrap the carpet down the riser and down the front edge of the stair. However, XFasten Carpet Tape has been designed to eliminate this problem for good. Typically, carpet technicians install the riser of the bullnose separately from the tread to make it easier to wrap the carpet around the curve. 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. Now it was time to finally place the carpet runner! Using a hammer stapler and starting in the center of each stair tread, staple the carpet pad in place. Make sure to hold the carpet straight and keep it taut. What Should You Do With Tools That You Dont Frequently Use? Is this a good reason to schedule a house re-warming? Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. The verdict is clear, if having a tidy seam is important to you, get a seam roller. Carpet Knife. Step 3: Attach padding to the stairs by using a hammer stapler. It has the ability to drive the carpet into difficult to reach areas like gullies and crease carpet along the wall line. 4. While the basic process will remain the same, the type of staircase you're working with will determine how you finish the installation. to Install Carpet on Stairs Without [amazon link=B00336I62W title=Henry, W.W. Co. Runner should engage tackless strip and become taut. 3/ Roberts Carpet tucker. Place front edge of knee kicker on center of the runner about 2 inches from the riser. Study the carpet installation method before purchasing any tool. Push end of runner against floor at bottom of first riser. Before you get started, there are a few simple tools you will need to install carpets on stairs: There are DIY tool kits for carpeting stairs available, but a few of the simple tools should be enough to help you complete your project with little fuss. A carpet installation project often requires seaming pieces of the floor covering together. Equipment / Tools Stapler Knee kicker Cutting tools Flat-head screwdriver Prepare your stairs for carpet installation by installing tack strips,thin pieces of wood resembling yardsticks with tacks pointing upward. 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. So make a wise decision unless you want to feel upset. Carpet glue is necessary for one of the most popular installation methods out there which professionals choose over and over again. It is a Taiwanese product that will never disappoint you with its performance. Hold them in place and mark the locations of the screw holes. Line up runner between layout marks on first tread. If you dont pay attention to your carpet and dont use a good stretcher, youre going to face the formation of wrinkles on the carpet over time! All You Need to Know about Muzaffarabad The Capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. A hammer tacker is a tool that differs from carpet staplers in the way it operates! Some stairs have carpeting that runs up the center with edges that are bare hardwood. Moreover, it has an easy opening which makes using the tool a piece of cake. 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. As an Amazon Associate CarpetandRugWorld.com earns from qualifying purchases. Step 3. Pull the carpet off of the stair riser by hand. The tool originates from Germany and is quite handy. Therefore, you should only get a specialized carpet knife which has a sharp and durable blade that allows you to swiftly cut the carpet as desired. These tools, available for lease at tool rental centers and home centers, include a seam iron, power stretcher, and knee kicker. What You Need Tape measure Carpet knife Hammer stapler Straightedge Wall trimmer Stair tool Carpet Pad Tackless strips Hot melt seaming tape Seam sealer We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Take these five things into consideration before removing carpet from stairs. Apply a 12-inch strip of adhesive to the step and lay the carpet over the step, smoothing it out by hand. It has an incredible design with an ergonomic shape that ensures a firm grip. 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. NOTE! However, dont forget to put a thick layer of cardboard between the tackless strip and the baseboard to protect the surface from any damage. To make the template, measure each individual step and riser, as they may not all be built to the exact same dimension. Risers are generally no more than 7-3/4 inches tall. Otherwise, you may end with a poor seam that isnt going to work! Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. For the tread, fasten the carpet to the floor under the nosing, and bring the carpet straight over the lip and across the tread. RS has a degree in Mass Communication and a passion for creative writing. This helps hide the pad. What Are Witches Stairs and Why Do They Even Exist? One of the most important components of home comfort is carpets & rugs and at the same time, it is one of the poorly covered topics on the Internet. Fit the cut carpet to the stair. Trent loves this utility knife for projects like this. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. If the stair is open on the side with railing posts, the carpet must be cut around each post and re-joined on the other side. Moreover, dont forget to subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date about the latest construction and property trends in the country. Step 7: Repeat the process until you reach the landing. Step 2: Cut the carpet for installation but add about 20 percent for wastage. Step 6: Make sure to stretch your carpet and hold it taut as you fix it into the seam between the riser and tread. Many installation teams will move furniture, remove and dispose of old carpet, install padding and new carpet, and move the furniture back in placeall within a few hours. How To Install Carpet On Stairs There are two different ways to install carpet on stairs. Learn more here: How to Clean Carpet on Stairs: Step-by-Step Guide. Step 9: Repeat this step until you reach the last step. Visit a carpeting outlet to see samples of the patterns and colors available. Remove padding in the same fashion. A carpet stretcher or a power stretcher is a specialized tool to use when youre installing wall-to-wall carpet. With all the padding in place, its time to install the runner, working from the bottom of the stairs to the top. Keep carpet pile consistent from piece to piece. Trim the pad where the nosing and the top of the riser meet and, if using the waterfall method, clip the corners so you wont see the pad. Use a hammer to tap the pry bar under the tack strip, then pry the tack strip away. Tip: If runner bulges and doesnt lie flat against the tread, lift it straight up off the strip and begin again. Cut the carpet to fit the bottom of each stair, the area where the foot will fall. Using a knee kicker, stretch the carpet into the seam between the tread and the riser. Open the windows and doors for better ventilation, as marble adhesives are generally strong and can produce fumes. Can You Install New Carpeting Over Old Carpeting? The Crain #905 Heat Iron is a fantastic tool that will let you finish your carpeting project in no time. 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. Use a placer of two strips taped together to measure how high to place it. How to Repair a Carpet With Carpet Patching, Filtration Soil: What It Is and How to Get Rid of It, available for lease at tool rental centers and home centers. It has a pretty ergonomic and non-slip plastic handle which will let you use it comfortably. Finish removing any tacks that are still stuck in the stairs using a set of needle-nose pliers. Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. Tools Needed for a Smooth Stair Runner Installation. This will save you time, money, and effort. 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. They work on the same principle as power stretchers but are made for smaller spaces! 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. They may require that you dispose of your old carpet at a designated waste drop-off facility or that you schedule a bulk-trash pickup. The tape is highly appreciated by consumers and is said to be safe for delicate surfaces like wood and vinyl. Safety equipment should include safety goggles/glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris, gloves to keep your hands safe from sharp tacks, and a face mask to protect your lungs from dust and air particles. 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. A tack strip cutter can ensure youre better able to make clean cuts on the tack strip and preserve the look! You'll need to determine if you have cap stairs, pie stairs, bullnoses, or Hollywood stairs. How to Install Carpet on Stairs Sheet Metal Rolling: A Revolution in Manufacturing, The Top 5 Reasons You Should Consider Moving to Memphis, All you need to know about above ground pools, I agree that one reason why a person needs a storage unit, Thank you for explaining how waterproofing your basement can help with preventing, Thank you for pointing out how roller shutters can add value to, You caught my interest when you asserted that a quick drop in, From this article you will get to know about How Accurate is. If any hardwood floor is involved, there may be a need of tapping the staple with a hammer. Carpet Step 1: Nail down tackless carpet strip to the back of each step (riser) of your wooden staircase. The runner pad that goes under the rug costs between $14 and $72. Using the locking pliers and the utility knife, cut the carpet into manageable sections and pull the carpet free of the riser. Carpet tack strips are typically sold in lengths of about three to six feet and will be required around the entire perimeter of the room. Step 4: Once the padding has been put in place, measure the stairs once again atop the affixed material, and cut the carpet accordingly. To keep things manageable, cut carpet pieces into smaller strips when you remove them. Once you have selected your carpet, measured, and prepped your stairs, you are ready to begin installing your new carpet. Using a blunt carpet knife can be frustrating and cause you embarrassment as you ruin your expensive new floor covering. They are also generally safer as you are less likely to slip and lose your balance while climbing carpet-covered steps. If you want to install carpets with perfect seams and properly cut edges, rely on a cushion back carpet cutter. If you want an elegant staircase that has a perfectly installed carpet, you need a carpet stair tool! Padding should touch the edge of the tackless strips but should not overlap them. Stair Carpet In total, installing a high quality rug and pad on your stairs costs between $380 and $1050. This creates a clean line between the bottom of the stairs and the flooring. These are fairly simple to install; the same general process applies except the carpet is wrapped completely around the tread and stapled underneath. A carpet with an attached padded backing is easier to put down, but installing carpeting on stairs with this type of product isn't recommended, as they tend to wear quickly. In other words, the floor covering stays securely put and wont buckle. If you have pie-shaped, or curved, stairs, install the carpet on theriser in the same way as mentioned above. If the carpet padding is tacked on, simply pull it up and dispose of it in a contractor bag. There are different ways to install a carpet without tack strips, but we will show you how to use them. Installing a stair runner on a straight staircase is a relatively easy project, even for novice do-it-yourselfers. Copyright 2023 This Old House Ventures, LLC. Refold and track the carpet for the next rod. Carpet on stairs sees the worst wear and tear because of its frequent use. It is a trustworthy product that ensures both speed and safety when you have to seam the carpet. Carpet Glue. Step 1. Two types of stretchers are essential to a good carpet installation: a long power stretcher that will brace against the walls to stretch the carpeting taut across the entire room, and a knee kicker that will help you push the edges into corners and over the tack strips around the perimeter of the room. After all, the entire look of the carpet can be ruined due to a poor cut by an inferior product! WebTools Needed: Tack strips Staples or upholstery nails Measuring Tape Knee Pads Knee kicker (check your rental store) Stair Tool (check your rental store) Utility knife Hammer Safety glasses Obviously you'll need to remove all the old carpet. 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. install carpet on stairs Use a tape measure to measure the stair and riser, and add around 4 inches to cover the edges. If you are satisfied with the results, staple the carpet to the riser and below the tread. Its the best of both worlds! After you have measured and obtained the correct length of Stair Runner, you'll need some additional tools to complete the installation, including a. You can find this material in many shapes and sizes, but remember that high-quality stair padding is thicker than wall-to-wall padding. Step 1: Fix the cracks and holes in the concrete steps. Use a hammer stapler and staple the carpet pad in place starting from the center of each stair tread. Wrap the carpet pad around the front edge of the steps and down the riser. How Much Does Professional Carpet Cleaning Cost? Showcase the beauty of wood stairs without sacrificing the comfort of carpet with this clever compromise: a carpet runner. Pre-hemmed runners are usually sold in one of a few widths, most commonly 27 and 32 inches, so choose the one that fits your tread size with as much (or as little) wood showing as desired. It is a superior product that has a slow setup time which means you can make small adjustments during the installation! Tip: Staple carpet directly to stairs, never through the pad. Dont use standard foam padding; its too soft to provide the necessary support. You can also use a stair tool to secure the carpet into the seam. Perhaps you want to use carpet tape to install the floor coverings successfully! If so, here are six tips to make DIY carpet installation go more smoothly. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. This is a standard rule of carpet installation: Do not lay the padding over the tackless strips. The best carpet tape in the market is undoubtedly XFasten Double Sided Tape! If you plan on carpeting your stairs, then you might want to invest in a superior carpet stapler. Step 2. Knowing how to carpet stairs will help you save money by doing it yourself, and will leave you assured that you have done a good job in installing the new addition to your staircase. For novice DIYers, the temptation is to shove the carpet tack strips (sometimes called "tackless strips") all the way against the wall or baseboard. link to How Can You Tell if a Rug is Vintage? Staple each edge of the runner 2 inches above bottom of riser. How to Install Carpet Tack Strips Knee kickers apply tension to the carpet by utilizing a kick of the knee to the tool which gives it the unique name. WebMaterials and Tools Required to Install Carpet on Marble Stairs Lets take a look at some of the things you need for carpet installation. Choose your carpet and measure your stairs. This importance is not lost if the stairs have a carpeted surface. If the French cap method of installing carpet seems a little overwhelming or the carpet is too thick, use the waterfall method. Here is a special comprehensive guide about thebest rooms to carpet! While you can easily pull carpet padding away from tacks, it is an entirely different scope of work if the padding has been glued down. Roberts Knee Kicker is an Industry Standard, there are others, but most of us Pro's use a 2. How to Remodel Carpeted Stairs to Wood CarpetandRugWorld.com also participates in affiliate programs with ShareASale and other sites. Secure one end of the pad just in front of the tack strip on the tread, using a hammer tacker and stapling every three inches across. Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. Instead, you'll need to measure each step and cut the carpet to fit. The [amazon link=B000GOGHNO title=Crain #905 Heat Iron for Carpet Tape/] is a reliable tool that has an excellent performance. Apart from that, it is built to be more durable and lightweight than its competitors. Use carpet tool and rubber mallet to pack runner tightly between the tackless strip and the riser. It is also a good idea to make sure your padding is of very good quality. 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. The name of the tool itself is pretty self-explanatory. The amount of carpet you remove from your stairs may be small enough to be included with your household waste pickup, but if you are unsure about whether your garbage service will take the carpet, contact your local waste pick-up service and ask. While it may be a little pricey, the Crain #905 is certainly one of the most respected seam irons out there.