Good padding is worth the investment, because it can extend the life of the carpet on this highly trafficked corridor. 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. Showcase the beauty of wood stairs without sacrificing the comfort of carpet with this clever compromise: a carpet runner. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2014 |Handyman tips |All Rights Reserved. It has an incredible design with an ergonomic shape that ensures a firm grip. Staple across the entire length of the pad. When she is not working, you'll find her reading a comic book, browsing through Netflix, or planning her next travel adventure. The only main difference is that there will be a lot more excess to trim. Staple end of runner to bottom of riser every 3 inches. You can also use a grinder to level the surface if needed. Carpet Knife. Since you will probably be placing the seam together by hand, it may be too apparent. Start in the middle and work 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. Some contractors will charge per step, and that ranges from $10 to $45 per step. It offers strong adhesion which wont disappoint you. Hold down front knob with one hand, using the other hand to keep the kickers shaft level. Take care not to staple through the fold. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. A Carpet Tack Strip Cutter does exactly what the name suggests, it cuts tack strips! Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Either method works, but the knee-kick will make removal much easier. Lets take a look at some of the things you need for carpet installation. If you are satisfied with the results, staple the carpet to the riser and below the tread. Find trusted local pros for any home project. To provide each of your wooden steps with a little more cushion, lay down a base of carpet padding. If not square, mark, then cut along backing with carpet knife. Grab toward the upper left or right corner of the riser. Smooth and stretch it to fit tightly. Hold them in place and mark the locations of the screw holes. 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. Before removing the carpet, you need to find out what kind of flooring is underneath. 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. 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. Step 4: Spread the carpet adhesive on the treads and edges of the concrete stairs with a trowel. Start with the ideal width of your runner. All rights reserved. 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. The tool originates from Germany and is quite handy. If you plan to install a stair runner without tack strips, you first need to be prepared. Measure each step individually and cut a quality carpet pad to fit each step and riser as shown. 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. What Are Witches Stairs and Why Do They Even Exist? The tool operates by stretching the carpet in a way that pulls it closer to the wall. So to add a bit of cushion to each tread, we installed an affordable carpet pad on each step. Even professional installation teams have been known to get this wrong. If you are planning to install carpet on stairs landing, leave a few extra inches, and use adhesive to secure it. The verdict is clear, if having a tidy seam is important to you, get a seam roller. Theyre made of synthetic fibers, wool, or a combination of both. Staple each edge of the runner 2 inches above bottom of riser. Use XFasten Carpet Tape if you wish to protect pets, elderly and children. Once you have brought the carpet around the posts, wrap it around the side of the stair and fasten it underneath the side nosing. 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. Since youre probably a beginner, the fact that this adhesive gives you a bit of wiggle room is great. If the padding overlaps, then youll have a fat lump around the edge of your carpetnot very attractive. The kit has been designed for use on carpets with different thicknesses so the pins can penetrate at various depths. Measure each step and riser and create a template to cut the carpet to size, to know the size and how to lay it. Give yourself enough time to complete this project comfortably and according to your physical ability and stamina. Step 5: Unroll the carpet so that its back is facing the top of the stairs and press it down on the adhesive. Line up runner between layout marks on first tread. 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! 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. 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. In other words, anyone walking on the carpet will never slip and will hence be safer! 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. Roberts Knee Kicker is an Industry Standard, there are others, but most of us Pro's use a 2. The carpet on a curved stair should be straight off of the tread nosing; otherwise, it will look crooked when looking up the staircase from the bottom. 2/ 9/16 Electric Gun Staples. The Roberts Carpet Stair Tool is a wonderful investment that will help you install carpets in your stairs with excellence. The tape is highly appreciated by consumers and is said to be safe for delicate surfaces like wood and vinyl. Place a bracket against either edge of the runner at the intersection of the tread and riser. Nylon is considered the best synthetic material for carpets, as it is stain-resistant, strong and has slip-proof tread. Step 8: Smooth the surface of the carpet with your hands. CarpetandRugWorld.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. The carpeting should be even with the floor, but if not, just trim the edge with a carpet knife. Another option for stairs is a blended carpet. WebHow much does it cost to carpet 13 stairs? To determine how high to set the tack strips, use a spacer made out of two strips taped together. Smooth and stretch the pad, so it fits tightly against the tread and riser, then staple it to the riser. Prepare your stairs for carpet installation by installing tack strips,thin pieces of wood resembling yardsticks with tacks pointing upward. There are two types of nylon variations to choose from, nylon 6 which has better recycling capabilities and nylon 6.6 which has a higher resilience. After you have measured and obtained the correct length of Stair Runner, you'll need some additional tools to complete the installation, including a. By Jill Lawrence O'Hara and Bob Vila | Updated Nov 3, 2020 9:13 AM. Removing carpet from the stairs requires more tools and safety equipment than you might expect. Knee kickers apply tension to the carpet by utilizing a kick of the knee to the tool which gives it the unique name. At top of last riser, cut runner tight to the underside of the nosing or molding. Dont forget to run beads of adhesive between the treads and risers of each step. Trent loves this utility knife for projects like this. This positioning tool is designed for use with low-profile carpet, and features teeth angled forward to help grip and hold the carpet. With all the padding in place, its time to install the runner, working from the bottom of the stairs to the top. Therefore, you should opt for a specialized tool to make the task safer and easier for you! 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 best carpet tape in the market is undoubtedly XFasten Double Sided Tape! Secure both ends in the brackets. But even for non-patterned carpeting, you can detect the direction of the carpets pile by looking at it from different directions in strong light. 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. Carpet on stairs sees the worst wear and tear because of its frequent use. Step 4: Measure the width of the carpet or runner. However, dont forget to put a thick layer of cardboard between the tackless strip and the baseboard to protect the surface from any damage. It will ensure you maintain the integrity of the carpet and cut through the backing with ease. Tack strips are designed to grip onto the carpet and be stuck between the strip and the wall. The width of the stairs depends on how much of the area you want to cover. 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. Center the carpet on the bottom edge of the steps. Place a scrap piece of strip flush against the riser. Its thick and fluffy, feels great on your feet, and adds warmth and comfort to your home. 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. Dab cut edges with latex carpet glue to prevent fraying. 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. What Makes Islamabads Sparco Tower an Ideal Investment Choice? It is a Taiwanese product that will never disappoint you with its performance. These are fairly simple to install; the same general process applies except the carpet is wrapped completely around the tread and stapled underneath. If you want the Hollywood style of carpeting, youll need a little extra length in order to have enough give to fasten the runner completely; add one inch for each nosing and at least 18 extra inches for spare. Fit the cut carpet to the stair. If you have pie-shaped, or curved, stairs, install the carpet on theriser in the same way as mentioned above. A cushion back carpet cutter can help you cut the carpet in a perfectly straight line through the backing! 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. Can You Install New Carpeting Over Old Carpeting? Drill 116-inch pilot holes at each mark. This is a disaster waiting to happen. WebMaterials and Tools Required to Install Carpet on Marble Stairs Lets take a look at some of the things you need for carpet installation. The thing is, carpeting your stairs is not as difficult as it looks. Put away the pliers. Ill help you figure out the tools that you will need! These tools, available for lease at tool rental centers and home centers, include a seam iron, power stretcher, and knee kicker. 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. Use a hammer to tap the pry bar under the tack strip, then pry the tack strip away. 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. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. 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. Carefully place the tack strip and any pieces or tacks into a contractor bag. You need high-quality carpet glue if you choose the glue down carpet installation method! There are a few carpet installation tools that you need to have. One thing is certain, if you use the right carpet glue, your carpet will be more securely attached to the floor and have a long life. 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. Learn more here: How to Clean Carpet on Stairs: Step-by-Step Guide. Then, secure the runner to the riser just beneath the next tread with staples, spaced roughly three inches apart. Near both ends of the tackless strip, staple the runner into the crease where riser meets tread. WebTo install carpet on stairs without tack strips you can use carpet adhesive, magnetic flooring, or staples; adhesive is the most common method. Step 7: Repeat the process until you reach the landing. Dont hesitate in placing your trust on this adhesive! Carpet glue is necessary for one of the most popular installation methods out there which professionals choose over and over again. It is found most commonly at the very bottom of the staircase as the first stair. 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. 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. 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. This will save you time, money, and effort. Slice into the carpet, starting in the back corner of the tread and continuing across it. If you purchase an inferior carpet stapler, be ready to see it jam! Then, using a tape measure and a straightedge, cut the carpet to template size. Still, there may be instances where your budget is so tight that saving on installation costs is critical. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 for each stair until you reach a landing or the top riser. Step 5: Unlike installing carpet on marble and concrete stairs, it is recommended to start carpeting a wooden staircase from the bottom-most step and then work your way up. The [amazon link=B00107M76M title=Economy Adjustable Knee Kicker/] is designed to make carpet installation projects easier. But after years of use, carpeting just doesnt look or feel the same.