Repeat the process with the next riser. Take these five things into consideration before removing carpet from stairs. 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. For the tailored Hollywood look, also secure the runner to the underside of the nosing, spacing each staple three inches apart. Step 1. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. You should think about all the rooms worth carpeting! 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. 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! 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. But after years of use, carpeting just doesnt look or feel the same. 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. They are non-slip and softly pad your footfall. Remove padding in the same fashion. At top of last riser, cut runner tight to the underside of the nosing or molding. 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. Runner should engage tackless strip and become taut. 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. Refold and track the carpet for the next rod. Stairs that have no risers are called Hollywood stairs. The most attractive quality about this tool is how it allows you to avoid any mess. Repeat steps 7 through 10 to continue installing carpet on stairs until completed. Place the front part of a knee kicker (a professional carpet tool available for rent from your local big-box hardware store) about two to three inches from the second riser, then give it a jolt with your knee to tighten thecarpetingalong the edges. Cut the rest using a carpet cutter. Cheryl Simmons is a flooring expert who grew up in the flooring industry, working in her family's retail store since her youth. Recenter the runner, then push the carpet back over the nosing and toward the next tack strip. 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! Using a tape measure and a straightedge, cut the carpet to template size. No bumps allowed! to Install Carpet on Stairs Replacing Carpet on Stairs With Hardwood Ensure there arent any air bubbles trapped under the surface of the carpet and that it has been fitted tightly against each step. Replacing Carpet on Stairs With Hardwood Tools Utility Knife Pry Bar Pliers Jigsaw Tape Measure Materials OSB (Oriented Strand Board) Construction Adhesive Nails Lint-Free Rag Stain View All Tools & Materials Note Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market. Nylon is considered the best synthetic material for carpets, as it is stain-resistant, strong and has slip-proof tread. 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. This step-by-step The tools you need depend on the type of carpet installation method you choose. to Install Carpet on Stairs Glue the carpet on the landing as per your preference and cut away the rest. Foam-backed rugs: Avoid pinless rods entirely on spiral staircases. Get rid of the tack strips and don't try to use the old padding. The [amazon link=B00A953Y8Q title=Delphin Dolphin Carpet Knife/] is a terrific investment if youre going to install a carpet. In other words, using this knee kicker ensures the carpet is taut when installed! If any hardwood floor is involved, there may be a need of tapping the staple with a hammer. A hammer tacker is a tool that differs from carpet staplers in the way it operates! The die cast handle is also a wonderful feature of this carpet seam roller. 4. Begin at the bottom step and staple the carpet to each tread, then stretch the carpet over the riser. 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. In total, installing a high quality rug and pad on your stairs costs between $380 and $1050. If you are planning to install carpet on stairs landing, leave a few extra inches, and use adhesive to secure it. The Delphin Carpet Knife is a favorite among professionals for its precision and performance. Some stairs have carpeting that runs up the center with edges that are bare hardwood. A carpet installation project often requires seaming pieces of the floor covering together. 4. Use a hammer to tap the pry bar under the tack strip, then pry the tack strip away. Tip: When using the waterfall method, clip 3 inches off the corners of the pad where it curves around the nosing. Carpet You can, therefore, save some money by specifying that you want to buy carpeting without installation labor. Pull up a small corner of the carpet to get a look at what is underneath. 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. Trim the excess carpet at the end. First, we cut the pad to fit each step. You can then fold the carpet over and bring it together to cover the entire step. Using a blunt carpet knife can be frustrating and cause you embarrassment as you ruin your expensive new floor covering. They are attached to the subfloor around the perimeter of the room to provide the anchor point for the edges of the carpeting to be gripped. They dont need to be a certain width, just whatever size is comfortable for you to grip during removal and that will fit into your garbage bags. 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! Repeat this process for the entire length of the staircase. The name of the tool itself is pretty self-explanatory. Fasten edge of pad to tread with 916-inch staples spaced every 3 inches. It is also a good idea to make sure your padding is of very good quality. Measure the width of the stair and length. The [amazon link=B000COXP1K title=ROBERTS Carpet Seam Roller/] is a perfect tool to consider for your carpeting project. Showcase the beauty of wood stairs without sacrificing the comfort of carpet with this clever compromise: a carpet runner. Since you will probably be placing the seam together by hand, it may be too apparent. The tool operates by stretching the carpet in a way that pulls it closer to the wall. Carefully place the tack strip and any pieces or tacks into a contractor bag. Roberts Electric Staple Gun. Step 5: For marble, youll need to install carpet on stairs with glue. Take measurements of the stairs before selecting your runner area rug to be sure the rug will have sufficient length and width. Regardless of the type of installation method you use, you need a solid and dependable carpet knife! It will ensure you maintain the integrity of the carpet and cut through the backing with ease. Stair Roll up the carpet, and lay it a few steps above the bottom. 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. Wrap the carpet around each post. These will grip the carpet backing and hold it in place. To make the template, measure each individual step and riser, as they may not all be built to the exact same dimension. You cant consider yourself a carpet connoisseur if you have never heard about Persian rugs. How to Remodel Carpeted Stairs to Wood The Henry #663 Carpet Adhesive is a terrific glue that will amaze you with its performance. need So to add a bit of cushion to each tread, we installed an affordable carpet pad on each step. 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. WebMaterials and Tools Required to Install Carpet on Marble Stairs Lets take a look at some of the things you need for carpet installation. Before you get started installing your carpet, you first need to determine the look you want in your home. 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. If the French cap method of installing carpet seems a little overwhelming or the carpet is too thick, use the waterfall method. If youre certain that its time for that old stairwell carpet to go, follow these steps to do the job right. Step 3. Therefore, you should opt for a specialized tool to make the task safer and easier for you! 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! Then, pull the padding tight around the stair nosing and staple it underneath (onto the riser), again spaced every three inches. The best thing about this carpet knife is that it offers neatness and precision in cuts while still maintaining safety. The thin, dense pad helps to quiet and cushion footsteps, but it also prevents the runner from wearing out prematurely. They are strong cutters which provide increased cutting force. 5. Tip: If runner bulges and doesnt lie flat against the tread, lift it straight up off the strip and begin again. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Install your pre-cut stair carpet starting from the bottom stair and work your way up. Installing a stair runner on a straight staircase is a relatively easy project, even for novice do-it-yourselfers. It has been designed with an extra wide head which ensures reduced dishing in the seam. Push it hand-tight toward tackless strip. The ROBERTS brand is trustworthy and so is this product which will amaze you with its brilliant performance! Install a stair nose over the front edge of each tread and conceal the edges of the carpet with binding tape. The first step in installing carpet tack strips is to decide how many will be needed for the project. Building codes control the dimensions of treads and risers. 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 Apart from that, it is built to be more durable and lightweight than its competitors. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. Just take it one step at a time. Add a touch of elegance, texture and color to your homes interior staircase by installing a carpet runner. Typically, carpet technicians install the riser of the bullnose separately from the tread to make it easier to wrap the carpet around the curve. By Jill Lawrence O'Hara and Bob Vila | Updated Nov 3, 2020 9:13 AM. First, install the tread as described above. Line up runner between the layout marks. Carpet Stapler. Once you have selected your carpet, measured, and prepped your stairs, you are ready to begin installing your new carpet. This tool is designed to cut through carpet backing yet be precisely straight when in use. This will save you time, money, and effort. Treads are typically 10 to 11-1/2 inches deep; the deeper the tread, the more comfortable the climb. How to Install Carpet on Stairs Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. The [amazon link=B00BC1ZCK4 title=Crain 301 Cushion Back Carpet Cutter/] is designed to trim seam edges close to the tufts with neatness. Roberts Knee Kicker is an Industry Standard, there are others, but most of us Pro's use a 2. Screw each bracket to tread and riser. Another option for stairs is a blended carpet. Tools Its the best of both worlds! Finish removing any tacks that are still stuck in the stairs using a set of needle-nose pliers. 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. Dab edges and end with glue and staple into top of riser and along edges every 3 inches. Since youre probably a beginner, the fact that this adhesive gives you a bit of wiggle room is great. To do the waterfall method, follow the same steps but skip the step that requires attaching the carpet underneath the tread. 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. 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. Place a bracket against either edge of the runner at the intersection of the tread and riser. Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. While some carpet seam irons can end up harming the fibers, this one is designed to never do so. A knee-kicker is a great tool that helps to jam the carpet into the edges of a room or your stairs. This positioning tool is designed for use with low-profile carpet, and features teeth angled forward to help grip and hold the carpet. They are easy to clean, less likely to stain, and of course, they give your living space a modern and luxurious look. Can You Install New Carpeting Over Old Carpeting? When she is not working, you'll find her reading a comic book, browsing through Netflix, or planning her next travel adventure. Professional installation by an experienced crew is now so inexpensive and quick that it's hard to justify doing this work yourself. Apart from that, the swivel head does a wonderful job in stretching angles or corners. A carpet knee kicker is another type of stretcher that your carpeting project could use! to Install Carpet on Stairs [Full Guide Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. 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. If youre not going to use adhesives, you can consider using a carpet stapler instead! install carpet on stairs Attach finials (if any) to outside of each rod bracket. Start with the ideal width of your runner. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Next, make a slit directly in line with each post to the edge of the carpet away from the stair. This creates a clean line between the bottom of the stairs and the flooring. Jill Lawrence O'Hara, Bob Vila, 11 Ways to Make the Most of Your Towns Curbside Cleanup Day, 5 Ways to Prevent Cracks in Concreteand 1 Easy Fix, Make Your Home Less Chaotic With These 12 Simple Changes, The Biggest Mistakes Youre Making with Your Coat Closet, What to Know About Paying Off Your Mortgage Early, 14 Home Improvement Projects You Can Tackle with Your Tax Refund. It is a Taiwanese product that will never disappoint you with its performance. If you plan to install a stair runner without tack strips, you first need to be prepared. Step 3 Staple Carpet Pad Use a hammer stapler and staple the carpet pad in place starting from the center of each stair tread. While carpet staplers take more effort to use, the hammer tacker makes it easier to get the job done without exerting too much effort. Cut carpet pad the same width as the tackless strips and 3 inches longer than the depth of the tread. 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. Carefully place tackless strips on the riser and back of each tread as shown. For novice DIYers, the temptation is to shove the carpet tack strips (sometimes called "tackless strips") all the way against the wall or baseboard. It is recommended to sit two steps below the stair you are covering so that you can properly lay down the carpet. Even professional installation teams have been known to get this wrong. In other words, you wont have to put in too much effort to cut the tack strip making the installation go smoother! Using locking pliers, pry a small corner of carpet away from a riser to determine the material underneath and decide on renovation specifics. 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. Wrap the carpet down the riser and down the front edge of the stair. To install carpet on stairs and landing, youll need these materials. Use carpet tool and rubber mallet to pack runner tightly between the tackless strip and the riser. You will experience more waste with patterned carpet than with non-patterned carpet since cutting and seaming pieces requires you to match the pattern. If you do get a fiber caught, gently pull it out using a flat-head screwdriver. Removing Carpet From Stairs Tip: Push stapler through the pile and against the backing before pulling trigger. While you could use an ordinary utility knife, it wont give you the same level of control and precision a carpet knife can. The 12 Carpet Installation Tools (You Need to do it Right) 1. The verdict is clear, if having a tidy seam is important to you, get a seam roller. How to Determine the Age of a Persian Rug. Step 2: Cut the carpet for installation but add about 20 percent for wastage. Through this method the carpet finds solid support and doesnt find any room for movement. Install replacement rugs at 75mm intervals on the bottom of the riser, fold them, and secure them. 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. It has an incredible design with an ergonomic shape that ensures a firm grip. Before you get started installing your carpet, you first need to determine the look you want in your home. Press rod into crease where tread and riser meet. Push end of runner against floor at bottom of first riser. 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. There are different ways to carpet stairs, but well be discussing the ones that are easiest to follow, even for those who are new to the world of DIY home improvements. With the vintage rug, the room seems cozier. Installing carpet on stairs can be tricky and time-consuming, but it can be accomplishedeven by noviceswith some understanding and patience. Starting with the top-most step, put the glue on the tread and riser while staying about an inch with the chalk marks. 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! The instructions will be much easier to follow if you speak the same language. It has a pretty ergonomic and non-slip plastic handle which will let you use it comfortably.