People don’t normally think of carpet installation as a DIY project, but now it can be. With specially made carpet and carpet tiles perfect for the weekend warrior, anybody can learn how to install carpet on their own.
Installing carpet doesn’t have to be tough. In fact, it can be pretty easy and maybe even…fun?
There are three types of installation for DIY broadloom carpet: standard stretch-in, carpet tape, and glue down.
Let’s look at all the ways you can achieve a DIY carpet installation.
How to Install Carpet the Traditional Way
This is the standard method to install carpet, using normal broadloom carpet. You’ll have to stretch the carpet to reach tack strips along the edges of the walls. This keeps it taut and secure.
It’s labor-intensive and requires some time and specialty tools, but it’s not impossible to do on your own if you follow these steps.
Tools and Materials
Utility knife
Tape measure
Carpenter square
Knee kicker
Tack strip
Carpet binder bar (for thresholds)
Seam tape
Power carpet stretcher
Staple gun
Wall carpet trimmer
Preparation
Pull up any existing carpet, padding, and tack strips. Clean the subfloor to make sure it is free of dirt, dust, and any residue.
The subfloor should be level and structurally sound, without cracks or dips. If the subfloor is newly poured concrete, allow it to cure before installing.
Remove doors from the room.
Nail the tack strips to the floor around the edges of the room, but avoid putting them in doorways where someone is more likely to step on the tacks through the carpet.
Install Carpet Pad
Roll out the padding and staple or tape the seams together.
Use the staple gun to secure the padding to the tack strip. It should reach the edge of tack strips without covering them.
Trim excess carpet padding around the edges of the room.
Trim the Carpet
When you purchased your carpet roll, you likely ended up with more material than you may need. Not to worry – this is a common practice. In order to install the carpet in your room, you’ll want to initially cut the carpet down closer to your room size to remove some of the extra material before you start the installation.
Find the dimensions of the room and add at least 6” to the length and width to give yourself some room for error.
Mark these measurements on the back of the carpet and cut it to size.
Roll out the Carpet
Lay the carpet out and align it to be square with the room.
To get it to fit in the corners of the room, it is recommended to cut notches in the corners of the carpet.
Join the Seams
If you have to join multiple rolls to cover the floor, now is the time to join the seams.
First, ensure both edges are straight before continuing. Sometimes the factory-cut edges can be crooked. As you align the edges, ensure that the fibers are all oriented in the same direction, so the seam isn’t obvious later on.
Lay a piece of heat-activated seam tape under the edges, adhesive side up.
To activate the adhesive, you’ll need to run a heated seaming iron over the tape until the glue heats up. Let the iron rest over each section long enough to melt the adhesive on the tape. Be sure to always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific seam tape and seaming iron.
Firmly press the edges of the carpet together over the heated adhesive, then set something heavy and flat over the seam until the glue dries.
Attach the Carpet
Place the knee kicker on the surface of the carpet, a few inches away from the wall, and stretch the carpet edge to connect with the tack strip. Move along the wall and strike the kicker to stretch the carpet into place.
Once one side is fully attached, use a wall carpet trimmer to cut away the excess carpet from that edge in a smooth, even line. Then tuck the edge of the carpet beneath the trim.
Next, attach the carpet on the other side of the room. You will need to use a power stretcher for this.
Then, move on to stretch, tack, and trim the carpet on the other two walls.
At thresholds or any other spots where you can use a tack strip, secure the edge of the carpet with a binder bar and screws.