13 Easy Steps to Lay Your Own Carpet

There are many types of floor coverings used today and carpet is one of the most popular. If you are looking at laying a new carpet in your home you may consider laying them yourself. This guide provides you with practical advice on how to lay a carpet.

Step 1

When it comes to laying a carpet, you need to carefully measure your room to see how many square yards of carpet is required. You can do this by multiplying the length by the width and then divide this number by nine.

Now that you have your measurements it’s off to the carpet store, but don’t forget to add a little extra to the measurement to allow for any mistakes and note that if you opt for a pattern it will need to match.

Step 2

Carefully choose your carpeting. Some are more suited to certain areas, such as stairs and living rooms, while others are best suited to kitchens and bathrooms.

Step 3

A carpet is only as good as the underlay! You already have the measurements for the carpet and it’s the same for the underlay.

Step 4

The last item you’ll need are the ‘Tack Strips’. These are strips of wood that are glued, nailed or screwed to the floor and anchor the carpet in place. You will need sufficient to go around the entire room along the skirting or baseboard.

Step 5

Prepare the flooring by making sure it is clean and free of any debris.

Step 6

Take your ‘Tack Strips’ and fix to the floor with glue, nails or screws. They should be fitted approximately 1/2″ from the skirting or baseboard.

DO NOT place the tack strip across the threshold of the door. You can secure the carpet into place across the threshold either by glue or better yet, lifting the threshold plate and tuck the carpet underneath.

Step 7

Take your underlay and lay this in strips up to the ‘Tack Strips’. Trim any edging with a sharp Stanley knife. Use duct tape or other suitable tape to join the seams of the underlay.

Step 8

Roll out your carpet and trim away any excess leaving an overlay of approximately 3″. This will give you room for any errors that you may make.

Step 9

If you are laying a carpet in a very large room you may have to lay it in two or more sections and therefore you will need to make a seam. Make sure the two edges are straight and with carpet seam tape glue the two together.

Step 10

Trim your carpet around the door frames and recesses.

Step 11

You now need to attach the carpet to the ‘Tack Strips’ and this is done with a carpet layers knee kicker – ask your DIY store or Carpet Store for one. This tool has a flat plate with spike underneath.

At the other end is a rubber pad. Place the spike plate about 6″ from the skirting or baseboard and punch with your knee. This stretches the carpet and anchors it to the ‘Tack Strips’.

You need to repeat this all the way around the room. Wear protective knee pads and this is hard work on your knees. If you are not used to it, you will also need to take regular breaks as it’s real hard work on your back.

Step 12

With a sharp knife or carpet wall trimmer cut away any excess carpet.

Step 13

Note that when the carpet has settled for a day or two you may have to stretch it again and trim off any excess.  And that folks are How to Lay a Carpet.