to Install Carpet on Stairs Without Of all of the options available to you, a machine-hemmed, prefabricated stair runner is the most convenient choice for easy installation. Carpet hammer tackers are becoming more popular amongst people who dislike the use of carpet glue. Carefully place tackless strips on the riser and back of each tread as shown. If not square, mark, then cut along backing with carpet knife. It is an ingredient for a successful carpeting project! Once this happens, it is fixed to a tack strip. Repeat every 3 inches, side to side. 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. While you could use an ordinary utility knife, it wont give you the same level of control and precision a carpet knife can. Copyright 2023 This Old House Ventures, LLC. 4. If you do get a fiber caught, gently pull it out using a flat-head screwdriver. Start at the middle, and work your way to each edge to minimize any bubbles in the middle. 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. Study the carpet installation method before purchasing any tool. Prepare for the possibility that youll need to replace parts of the stairs, fix breaks, or treat infestations after removing the carpet. CarpetandRugWorld.com also participates in affiliate programs with ShareASale and other sites. 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You need to measure each step very carefully and cut a carpet pad to fit onto each step and riser. Step 5: For marble, youll need to install carpet on stairs with glue. This padding is easily available at hardware stores as well as carpet stores. And although I found some very helpful information, I hardly found anything regarding Carpets and Rugs. The tool operates by stretching the carpet in a way that pulls it closer to the wall. Step 7: Press the starting edge of the carpet on the top-most tread and then continue to press it down on the riser. Step 6: Keeping in mind the pattern of the carpet, unroll the material so that its back end is facing the steps. Center the runner so that there are equal amounts of wood on each side, thenpress it into the very first tack strip (at the bottom of the riser), using a carpet awl to get a clean look between the bottom of the stair riser and the flooring. Step 7: Repeat the process until you reach the landing. You can also use a stair tool to secure the carpet into the seam. Give yourself enough time to complete this project comfortably and according to your physical ability and stamina. Step 4. As an Amazon Associate CarpetandRugWorld.com earns from qualifying purchases. It is also a good idea to make sure your padding is of very good quality. Or perhaps you are carpeting many rooms at the same time, or have many irregular shapes or stairways that mean your cost savings will be more substantial if you install the carpeting yourself. The best thing about this carpet knife is that it offers neatness and precision in cuts while still maintaining safety. The ROBERTS brand is trustworthy and so is this product which will amaze you with its brilliant performance! This Carpet Seam Roller is another stunning offering by the reputable brand ROBERTS! 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WebLay each piece in place, and secure it with a hammer stapler. Carpeting is now often sold with installation costs included since so few consumers want to go through the headache of DIY installation. For each tread, use sheet-metal snips to cut a tackless strip 2 inches shorter than the width of the runner. In case your treads have a moulded edge, also known as the nose, add it to the total value as well. To contour the 90-degree angle where the side of the stair meets the front of the stair, make a slit in the carpet diagonally from the corner to the outside of the carpet. 1/ Roberts Electric Staple gun. Dont forget to run beads of adhesive between the treads and risers of each step. Carpet Carefully place the tack strip and any pieces or tacks into a contractor bag. With this tool, you can be confident that your carpet will never suffer a poor cut! When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Theyre made of synthetic fibers, wool, or a combination of both. 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. to Install Carpet on Stairs They are easy to clean, less likely to stain, and of course, they give your living space a modern and luxurious look. By Jill Lawrence O'Hara and Bob Vila | Updated Nov 3, 2020 9:13 AM. Finishing touches. 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. All rights reserved. Installing a stair runner on a straight staircase is a relatively easy project, even for novice do-it-yourselfers. It also makes the carpet feel soft under your feet. If you decide to cut out separate pieces, add about 5 inches to the measured width, so you have enough material to cover the corners. 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 end result wont appeal to you and youll be upset by the imperfections, in such a case, you should get this tool. 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. Tamp it down to hold in place, or as an alternative secure it with staples. Use a hammer stapler and staple the carpet pad in place starting from the center of each stair tread. The tool originates from Germany and is quite handy. You'll need to determine if you have cap stairs, pie stairs, bullnoses, or Hollywood stairs. to Install Carpet on Stairs The width of the carpet depends on whether you want to cover the width of the entire step or want to leave some marble peeking out from both sides and only cover the centre part of the stairs. Start at the bottom of the staircase and work your way up, unless the more difficult steps are at the bottom. A Roberts Knee Kicker. 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. You'll need to make a template and cut the carpet to fit when all the padding is attached. The idea is to ensure the carpet staple is properly driven inside the floor! Keep the padding within the inner perimeter formed by the strips. Before you get started installing your carpet, you first need to determine the look you want in your home. This helps hide the pad. 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. What Should You Do With Tools That You Dont Frequently Use? Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. The ROBERTS Electric Carpet Stapler is another solid offering by the brand that will help you secure your floor coverings in no time. 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. Finish removing any tacks that are still stuck in the stairs using a set of needle-nose pliers. Then, using a tape measure and a straightedge, cut the carpet to template size. Installing You can either use a straightedge or your fingers to press the carpet to the riser to make sure it sticks properly. When she is not working, you'll find her reading a comic book, browsing through Netflix, or planning her next travel adventure. Trent loves this utility knife for projects like this. The first step in installing carpet tack strips is to decide how many will be needed for the project. If youre certain that its time for that old stairwell carpet to go, follow these steps to do the job right. If you dislike adhesives and the strong odor they bring in the home, you may be attracted to use a carpet stapler. If you purchase an inferior carpet stapler, be ready to see it jam! 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. Step 5. They quieten footsteps by absorbing the sound, and they are significantly safer than harder-surface stairs. How to Install Carpet Runner on Stairs 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. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. As you figure out how to measure stairs for carpet, start by selecting one stair tread. Carpeting is a thick, heavy material that requires a lot of effort and strength to remove. Building codes control the dimensions of treads and risers. You'll likely only need to replace any strips that have been damaged by the removal or show signs of other damage. Proper stretching is 90 percent of good carpet installation, and if you're not prepared to learn this skill, it's best to hire pros. They work on the same principle as power stretchers but are made for smaller spaces! Before you get started installing your carpet, you first need to determine the look you want in your home. Starting from the centre, move towards the edge to eliminate any air bubble. While it may be a little pricey, the Crain #905 is certainly one of the most respected seam irons out there. Use XFasten Carpet Tape if you wish to protect pets, elderly and children. If you want to install a carpet in the stairs, you absolutely need this stair tool! Some contractors will charge per step, and that ranges from $10 to $45 per step. A cushion back carpet cutter can help you cut the carpet in a perfectly straight line through the backing! link to How to Determine the Age of a Persian Rug. 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. Step 3: Attach padding to the stairs by using a hammer stapler. Stairs that have no risers are called Hollywood stairs. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Line up runner between layout marks on first tread. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. The larger the pattern, the more waste you will have. The [amazon link=B000GOGHNO title=Crain #905 Heat Iron for Carpet Tape/] is a reliable tool that has an excellent performance. Step 6: Press the material on the treads and risers using your hands or a straightedge. 3. The nose is the lip that extends out over the riser. She has vast experience with digital media, including SEO, photo shoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content. You need high-quality carpet glue if you choose the glue down carpet installation method! A carpeted stairway quiets your home by softening footsteps and absorbing sound waves. This creates a clean line between the bottom of the stairs and the flooring. With this goal in mind, here are some things to consider before ripping up your carpet: As tempting as it may be to just grab a loose corner of carpet and start pulling, preparing ahead of time and following a proper sequence of steps will get you the best results and help you avoid wasted effort. NOTE! It has excellent trowelability and a strong initial grab. Remove padding in the same fashion. If you are planning to cover the entire step with carpet, attach tackless strips to the walled side of the landing as well. Meanwhile, you can check out ways to get rid of stains from your carpet, so your stairs will always look clean and well-maintained.