This tool is designed to cut through carpet backing yet be precisely straight when in use. Kick back and relax now that the work is done. 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. 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. The tape is highly appreciated by consumers and is said to be safe for delicate surfaces like wood and vinyl. To provide each of your wooden steps with a little more cushion, lay down a base of carpet padding. Carpet lovers evaluate Persian rugs for their high durability, unusual patterns, and bright colors. Ive always been a lover of vintage rugs. 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. How to Convert Carpeted Stairs to Hardwood At top of last riser, cut runner tight to the underside of the nosing or molding. If you are planning to install carpet on stairs landing, leave a few extra inches, and use adhesive to secure it. 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. Also, you need to know the importance of cleaning carpets on stairs. If you plan on carpeting your stairs, then you might want to invest in a superior carpet stapler. RS has a degree in Mass Communication and a passion for creative writing. The pad needs to be cut to precision to fit between the tackless strips and bottom of the riser. Even cheap carpeting will perform much better if the underlying padding is of good quality, such as high-density memory foam. Since you will probably be placing the seam together by hand, it may be too apparent. How to Install a Stair Runner For an 8 foot runner, they can cost anywhere from $175 to $450. When assessing any carpet seam roller for effectiveness, the ease with which it can be moved backward and forward is always considered. This narrow rug runs down the center of the staircase, leaving some wood exposed on each side of the tread while still providing all the benefits of carpet, such as additional grip, shock absorption, and noise reduction. 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. Carpet Installation Tools Take care not to staple through the fold. Once you are happy with the carpet placement, secure the carpet down with staples. 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. Use a knee kicker (can also be done without a kicker, using a heavy tool) to stretch and push the carpet into the seam in between the riser and tread. You can use an awl or straightedge to push the carpet into the tackless strips and form clean lines between the riser and the floor. How To Install Carpet On Stairs Take these five things into consideration before removing carpet from stairs. Attach finials (if any) to outside of each rod bracket. Step 3: Attach padding to the stairs by using a hammer stapler. If you want to install a carpet in the stairs, you absolutely need this stair tool! To do this a superior carpet seam iron is needed. First, we cut the pad to fit each step. To make the template, measure each individual step and riser, as they may not all be built to the exact same dimension. Carpet runner can, however, be cut and hemmed from any wall-to-wall carpet roll; just know that each side must be stitched with a border to prevent fraying before you start. Press rod into crease where tread and riser meet. Moreover, it has an easy opening which makes using the tool a piece of cake. To install carpet on stairs and landing, youll need these materials. Copyright 2023 This Old House Ventures, LLC. 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. So make a wise decision unless you want to feel upset. 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. Hold down front knob with one hand, using the other hand to keep the kickers shaft level. The first step in installing carpet tack strips is to decide how many will be needed for the project. In other words, you wont have to put in too much effort to cut the tack strip making the installation go smoother! Apply a 12-inch strip of adhesive to the step and lay the carpet over the step, smoothing it out by hand. Apart from that, it is built to be more durable and lightweight than its competitors. If the carpet padding is glued down, use a putty knife to scrape the glue and carpet padding off the stairs. Roberts Knee Kicker is an Industry Standard, there are others, but most of us Pro's use a 2. 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. Ill help you figure out the tools that you will need! Once youve finalized a stunning carpet, you have to get it installed at your home. Study the carpet installation method before purchasing any tool. Each tack strip should be 4 inches shorter than your runners width. Step 2. It is found most commonly at the very bottom of the staircase as the first stair. Installing Large rolls of old carpet can be a big hassle to remove from a home and may present a problem for your local garbage collection. 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. Covering these stairs with a beautiful carpet runner will only add depth to your dcor, along with making the steps safer for everyone in your home. Step 1: Measure the stairs to calculate the length of the carpet youll need. This tool is called a carpet stair tool. 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. How to Install Carpet on Stairs 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. Installing carpet on stairs can be tricky and time-consuming, but it can be accomplishedeven by noviceswith some understanding and patience. For novice DIYers, the temptation is to shove the carpet tack strips (sometimes called "tackless strips") all the way against the wall or baseboard. Tack strips are strips of wood with sharp pointed tacks. WebHow much does it cost to carpet 13 stairs? Theres a lot to love about carpet when its new. First, install the tread as described above. The gap between the tack strips should be just a hair less than the thickness of the carpeting so that the tucked portion remains tightly wedged in place. Stairways get heavy wear, especially along the tread nosing, so choose a durable and easy-to-clean carpet. Hold them in place and mark the locations of the screw holes. A cushion back carpet cutter can help you cut the carpet in a perfectly straight line through the backing! Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. It minimizes deflection and cuts the tack strip neatly! If not square, mark, then cut along backing with carpet knife. The [amazon link=B00BC1ZCK4 title=Crain 301 Cushion Back Carpet Cutter/] is designed to trim seam edges close to the tufts with neatness. 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. 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. Even professional installation teams have been known to get this wrong. It has a pretty ergonomic and non-slip plastic handle which will let you use it comfortably. Finally, youll want to use a steam roller to press down your new carpet to make it stick to the adhesive underneath it. It will ensure you maintain the integrity of the carpet and cut through the backing with ease. 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. Choose your carpet and measure your stairs. Purchase it if the grace of the carpet is important to you! 2/ 9/16 Electric Gun Staples. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. By Timothy Dale | Updated Dec 14, 2022 5:31 PM. Tools Carefully place the tackless strips to the riser and back of each tread. Put on proper safety gear including goggles/glasses, gloves, and a face mask. The Hoteche Heavy-Duty Hammer Tacker is a carpet installation tool that will help you avoid the mess adhesives create and enjoy a successful project in little time! Depending on the depth of the stair, you may need to make two or three slits to achieve the proper coverage. Fasten edge of pad to tread with 916-inch staples spaced every 3 inches. Then, pull the padding tight around the stair nosing and staple it underneath (onto the riser), again spaced every three inches. Wrap the carpet down the riser and down the front edge of the stair. Give yourself enough time to complete this project comfortably and according to your physical ability and stamina. WebMeasure the Stairs. Carpet Glue. Near both ends of the tackless strip, staple the runner into the crease where riser meets tread. Repeat every 3 inches, side to side. It has excellent trowelability and a strong initial grab. Home Home Decor Learn How to Install Carpet on Stairs, In This Post How to install carpet on marble stairs How to install carpet on concrete stairs How to install carpet on wooden stairs. Tools You need high-quality carpet glue if you choose the glue down carpet installation method! This leaves an option of using a double-faced carpet tape to install the carpet. Starting with the top-most step, put the glue on the tread and riser while staying about an inch with the chalk marks. Before you begin removing the tack strip, be sure to put on your safety glasses if youre not already wearing them. Pull pad tight around nosing and staple every 3 inches into underside of nosing. You wont have to exert a lot of pressure on the Delphin Knife to cut the floor covering. 4. You will need the extra space in order to tuck the edges of the carpet over the strips. Tip: When using the waterfall method, clip 3 inches off the corners of the pad where it curves around the nosing. Butt pad to front edge of tackless strip. to Install a Carpet Runner on Stairs Whether you are planning to install or replace carpet on steps, here is a list of tools and materials youll need to get the job done. Carpeting is a thick, heavy material that requires a lot of effort and strength to remove. Over time, carpet can become loose, You can re-stretch the carpet with a carpet stretcher to pull it taut. If you've ever gone through the headache of trying to install carpeting yourself, you are unlikely to want to go through the ordeal again. Once this happens, it is fixed to a tack strip. Carpet on stairs usually requires some sort of hardware. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Stair Carpet 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. 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 Install Carpet on Stairs Without Just like wooden flooring, wooden staircases are also a favourite among homeowners in Pakistan. Step 4: Measure the width of the carpet or runner. (For upholstered installation, staple edges to riser, then staple runner to underside of nosing every 3 inches.). They work on the same principle as power stretchers but are made for smaller spaces! Keep carpet pile consistent from piece to piece. Butt it against the scrap and nail. The [amazon link=B00A953Y8Q title=Delphin Dolphin Carpet Knife/] is a terrific investment if youre going to install a carpet. This creates a clean line between the bottom of the stairs and the flooring. Combination square Dust mask Scissors Stick on carpet edge binding found at Home Depot by the carpet runner or try this product. How to Remodel Carpeted Stairs to Wood Find trusted local pros for any home project. 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. Installing a set of stair treads on your steps is a great way to protect your stairs. Building codes control the dimensions of treads and risers. Stair Runner Carpet Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. to Install Carpet on Stairs Without Start at the middle, and work your way to each edge to minimize any bubbles in the middle. What Makes Islamabads Sparco Tower an Ideal Investment Choice? The Crain 450 Deluxe Carpet Strip Cutter is one of the best cutters out there in the market! The verdict is clear, if having a tidy seam is important to you, get a seam roller. Moreover, dont forget to subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date about the latest construction and property trends in the country. They are non-slip and softly pad your footfall. Carpet Seam Roller. Its the best of both worlds! 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. If any hardwood floor is involved, there may be a need of tapping the staple with a hammer. The best carpet tape in the market is undoubtedly XFasten Double Sided Tape! 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. Keep the padding within the inner perimeter formed by the strips. Professional installation by an experienced crew is now so inexpensive and quick that it's hard to justify doing this work yourself. 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. While the basic process will remain the same, the type of staircase you're working with will determine how you finish the installation. Step 6: Make sure to stretch your carpet and hold it taut as you fix it into the seam between the riser and tread. There are a number of tools that can help you install your carpet. Tip: If runner bulges and doesnt lie flat against the tread, lift it straight up off the strip and begin again. Add a touch of elegance, texture and color to your homes interior staircase by installing a carpet runner. With the vintage rug, the room seems cozier. Then, secure the runner to the riser just beneath the next tread with staples, spaced roughly three inches apart. Carpet on stairs sees the worst wear and tear because of its frequent use. 4. Lightly mark that distance out from the skirtboard and from the balusters on every tread where it meets the riser. Here is a special comprehensive guide about thebest rooms to carpet! The end result is an elegant and neat carpet that you can install with confidence! Choosing a new carpet for your home can be an exciting prospect. Remove padding in the same fashion. Carpet Seam Iron. 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. 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. However, to achieve this at home, you need to understand how to install carpet on stairs. You can do this easily with the ROBERTS carpet seam roller without altering the position of the floor coverings backing. You can also use a grinder to level the surface if needed. Smooth and stretch it to fit tightly. 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. A carpet installation project often requires seaming pieces of the floor covering together. No bumps allowed! Never opt for an inferior carpet knife. Nail one on each riser, centered, inch from the bottom, and one on each tread, inch from the rear, also centered. Check end of runner with framing square. If the padding overlaps, then youll have a fat lump around the edge of your carpetnot very attractive. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. They quieten footsteps by absorbing the sound, and they are significantly safer than harder-surface stairs. On average, you can expect to pay between $150 and $600 to carpet stairs, including new carpet for the landing. 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. Be sure theres a nail within a couple of inches of each end. Carpet Adhesive /], [amazon fields=B00336I62W value=thumb image_alt=Carpet Adhesive], [amazon link=B00A953Y8Q title=Delphin Dolphin Carpet Knife /], [amazon fields=B00A953Y8Q value=thumb image_alt=Carpet Knife], [amazon link=B000GOGHNO title=Crain Heat Iron for Carpet Tape/], [amazon fields=B000GOGHNO value=thumb image_alt=Carpet Seam Iron], [amazon link=B000COXP1K title=Roberts Carpet Seam Roller/], [amazon fields=B000COXP1K value=thumb image_alt=Carpet Seam Roller], [amazon link=B000M34S08 title=Roberts Electric Carpet Stapler/], [amazon fields=B000M34S08 value=thumb image_alt=Carpet Stapler], [amazon link=B0141L81GS title=XFasten Double Sided Carpet Tape/], [amazon fields=B0141L81GS value=thumb image_alt=Carpet Tape], [amazon link=B000CP2LLO title=Roberts Carpet Tools Stair Tool/], [amazon fields=B000CP2LLO value=thumb image_alt=Carpet Stair Tool], [amazon link=B000COXP2O title=Roberts Kit Power-Lok Carpet Stretcher/], [amazon fields=B000COXP2O value=thumb image_alt=Carpet Power Stretcher], [amazon link=B00107M76M title=Economy Adjustable Knee Kicker/], [amazon fields=B00107M76M value=thumb image_alt=Carpet Knee Kicker], [amazon link=B00BC1ZCK4 title=Crain Cushion Back Carpet Cutter/], [amazon fields=B00BC1ZCK4 value=thumb image_alt=Cushion Back Carpet Cutter], [amazon link=B07TSYW8BS title=Hoteche Heavy-Duty Hammer Tacker/], [amazon fields=B07TSYW8BS value=thumb image_alt=Carpet Hammer Tacker], [amazon link=B00BC1ZIL2 title=Crain Deluxe Carpet Strip Cutter/], [amazon fields=B00BC1ZIL2 value=thumb image_alt=Carpet Tack Strip Cutter], The second type binds raw edges on floor coverings. Carefully place tackless strips on the riser and back of each tread as shown. A Carpet Tack Strip Cutter does exactly what the name suggests, it cuts tack strips! Dab cut edges with latex carpet glue to prevent fraying. Step 3: Use a measuring tape to locate the centre of the stairs width and mark it with chalk. Risers are generally no more than 7-3/4 inches tall. The Roberts Carpet Stair Tool is a wonderful investment that will help you install carpets in your stairs with excellence. Just take it one step at a time. We know how important a tool like this can be so we only recommend the best! To do the waterfall method, follow the same steps but skip the step that requires attaching the carpet underneath the tread. Another option is to carpet each stair individually where the foot lands. Make sure the carpet forms a tight fit against the marble stairs. to Install Carpet on Stairs [Full Guide Step 4. These wooden strips have small carpet tacks attached to them, which make installing carpet on wooden stairs much easier. 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. Step 5: Unroll the carpet so that its back is facing the top of the stairs and press it down on the adhesive. Slice into the carpet, starting in the back corner of the tread and continuing across it. Tools Needed for a Smooth Stair Runner Installation. Dispose of carpeting, tack strips, carpet padding, and any other debris according to your local waste disposal regulations. to Install Carpet on 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. If you want to ensure that the carpet appears flat and tight across the floor, you must use a power carpet stretcher! To keep things manageable, cut carpet pieces into smaller strips when you remove them. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Drill 116-inch pilot holes at each mark. A carpeted stairway can make your home look elegant and lavish. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Knee kickers apply tension to the carpet by utilizing a kick of the knee to the tool which gives it the unique name. WebPlace a bracket against either edge of the runner at the intersection of the tread and riser. While it may be a little pricey, the Crain #905 is certainly one of the most respected seam irons out there. Carpet Glue the carpet on the landing as per your preference and cut away the rest. Step 1. If you are replacing old carpet, leave the tack strips in place for reuse with the new carpet. 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. After glue dries to touch, unroll runner up 3 or 4 treads, making sure its between the layout marks. Step 8: Smooth the surface of the carpet with your hands. Next up: Time to choose a carpet. Foam-backed rugs: Avoid pinless rods entirely on spiral staircases.