DIY carpet installation is not necessarily a difficult task, but you certainly need to understand the process and have all the necessary tools. This is almost never doable solo, so you’ll need the help of at least one friend or family member. You’ll also need to invest some time and indulge in some serious planning. If you don’t have a weekend to dedicate to this project or if you’re unwilling to put in the effort and perseverance, then consider opting for professional installation rather than doing it yourself.
1. Measure
The first step is to jot down accurate measurements of the room and make consideration for the shape and layout of the space. If you’re planning to install wall-to-wall carpet, get a piece that is larger than your measurements by at least 6 inches. Getting a piece that is just barely large enough may be more cost effective, but this will make the installation process much less forgiving, which would be a mistake for a first-time carpet installer. Falling short is going to be a much bigger problem than having an inch or two of extra carpet.
Additionally, carpet comes in widths of 12 and 15 feet. If the room is more than 15 feet wide, you will have to install two pieces of carpet with a seam, which is much more difficult. To uphold the carpet’s warranty, many manufacturers actually require that you have your carpet professionally installed in this case.
2. Gather Your Tools
You will need several hand tools and carpet accessories to complete a proper installation. The most common tools used include: \
All around the perimeter of the room, and the vents if you have them, nail down your tack strips 3/8 of an inch from the baseboards. Make sure every piece has at least two nails in it, and align them with arrows pointing towards the wall.
4. Lay The Padding
Install your carpet cushion so that it matches the measurements of your room as closely as possible. Make sure not to leave too big of spaces at the tack strip or the lack of padding could be visible when the carpet is installed. Staple the padding down every two feet or so.
5. Roll Out The Carpet
Position the piece of carpet so that the fiber pattern is square to the room. This will make installation easier and the finished product look much better. Make sure there is excess carpet around the entire room. Then, trim your carpet in one corner and use a knee kicker to make sure it is flush with the baseboards.
6. Tack Down The Corner
Using a plastic paddle, tuck the carpet down into the gulley between the tack strip and the baseboards. Next, use the wooden end of your hammer to firmly seat the carpet into the tack strip. Don’t use the business end of your hammer or you could bend the tacks. Then, hammer several nails half way through the carpet, about five inches apart, to provide a solid hold to stretch against.
7. Stretch The Carpet
Use of a power stretcher is mandated by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) to keep you from voiding your carpet warranty. You can rent a power stretcher, just be sure to get the proper stretcher for your carpet type. Stretch the carpet in increments across the width of the room and use it to lock the carpet into the tack strip.
8. Trim The Edges
Once properly stretched and tacked down, trim the carpet so that it is flush with the baseboards and then use your paddle to tuck the edges into the gulley. It helps to work in small sections at a time. Then, remove the nails you used as an anchor in the first corner.
9. Vacuum
Using the ideal vacuum model for your carpet type, remove dirt and debris from your new carpet and enjoy!
1. Measure
The first step is to jot down accurate measurements of the room and make consideration for the shape and layout of the space. If you’re planning to install wall-to-wall carpet, get a piece that is larger than your measurements by at least 6 inches. Getting a piece that is just barely large enough may be more cost effective, but this will make the installation process much less forgiving, which would be a mistake for a first-time carpet installer. Falling short is going to be a much bigger problem than having an inch or two of extra carpet.
Additionally, carpet comes in widths of 12 and 15 feet. If the room is more than 15 feet wide, you will have to install two pieces of carpet with a seam, which is much more difficult. To uphold the carpet’s warranty, many manufacturers actually require that you have your carpet professionally installed in this case.
2. Gather Your Tools
You will need several hand tools and carpet accessories to complete a proper installation. The most common tools used include: \
- hammer and nails
- staple gun
- tack strips
- tucking paddle
- utility knife or carpet trimmer
- knee kicker
- power stretcher
- carpet padding.
All around the perimeter of the room, and the vents if you have them, nail down your tack strips 3/8 of an inch from the baseboards. Make sure every piece has at least two nails in it, and align them with arrows pointing towards the wall.
4. Lay The Padding
Install your carpet cushion so that it matches the measurements of your room as closely as possible. Make sure not to leave too big of spaces at the tack strip or the lack of padding could be visible when the carpet is installed. Staple the padding down every two feet or so.
5. Roll Out The Carpet
Position the piece of carpet so that the fiber pattern is square to the room. This will make installation easier and the finished product look much better. Make sure there is excess carpet around the entire room. Then, trim your carpet in one corner and use a knee kicker to make sure it is flush with the baseboards.
6. Tack Down The Corner
Using a plastic paddle, tuck the carpet down into the gulley between the tack strip and the baseboards. Next, use the wooden end of your hammer to firmly seat the carpet into the tack strip. Don’t use the business end of your hammer or you could bend the tacks. Then, hammer several nails half way through the carpet, about five inches apart, to provide a solid hold to stretch against.
7. Stretch The Carpet
Use of a power stretcher is mandated by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) to keep you from voiding your carpet warranty. You can rent a power stretcher, just be sure to get the proper stretcher for your carpet type. Stretch the carpet in increments across the width of the room and use it to lock the carpet into the tack strip.
8. Trim The Edges
Once properly stretched and tacked down, trim the carpet so that it is flush with the baseboards and then use your paddle to tuck the edges into the gulley. It helps to work in small sections at a time. Then, remove the nails you used as an anchor in the first corner.
9. Vacuum
Using the ideal vacuum model for your carpet type, remove dirt and debris from your new carpet and enjoy!