Some of the most heavily-trafficked areas at home are the stairs.If it's presented in the right way, a nicely decorated staircase can be the beautiful centerpiece of a home.It can be difficult to give your staircase a fresh set of carpet if you have never done it before.If you're careful and follow the process carefully, laying a carpet runner along your steps will add beauty and comfort to this important part of the home.
Step 1: Take a look at the staircase.
Before you do anything else, you need to know what the size of your staircase is.The number of stairs as well as the length, width and height of each stair are included.The number of steps is the most important trait to know and the easiest to figure out, as it will let you know how many tackles you'll need for your carpet.The stair is 30 inches wide.It will be easier to measure and lay your carpet if your stairs follow the standard dimensions.If you have standard-sized stairs, you need 24 inches for each stair step and riser.Rise and runs can vary in size, so be sure to measure closely.
Step 2: Meet with a salesperson.
Before moving into the practical stage of setting the carpet, you should consult with a sale associate who specializes in carpets.Talk to him about the size and scope of your project, as well as your expectations for the end result.Chances are this associate will be able to give you some specific and helpful advice, as well as point you in the direction of some carpet types that might suit your goals.Taking pictures of your stairs will give the sales associate a visual reference to keep in mind while he helps you.If you are trying to calculate the amount of carpet material you'll need from the sales associate, remember to keep the stair's nose in mind, giving a couple more inches than you would otherwise.
Step 3: Take into account the aesthetic design of your staircase.
It's good to keep your creative side in mind while making your stair decisions because at the end of the day, laying a carpet runner along your stairs adds comfort and purpose.Choosing to carpet just the step and not the riser, as well as different widths and colors, will yield different results for your stairs and home.Some carpets have designs woven into them.You will want to respect the properties of the design pattern while placing the carpet if this is the case.The goal is to give the staircase as much visible symmetry as possible.Most carpet runners are made to fit a certain kind of stair, so working with patterning irregularly-sized staircases is very difficult.
Step 4: Purchase the things you need.
The carpet runner is the most important ingredient in your home improvement plan.Unless you have calculated an accurate measurement of how much you'll need, you should go with the advice of the carpet professional.As much carpet as is required to fit the stairs, leaving an extra couple of feet to account for cuts and possible errors, is a list of things you'll need if you don't have necessarily supplies yet.The carpet and padding are held down by strips.You need at least three for each step.An industrial stapler is used to secure the carpet.There is a hammer and nails.There are two strips of padding for each step.A carpet knee-kicker is used to stretch and strengthen carpets.You want to stretch it into the inner corner of the stairs.
Step 5: You should outline where you want the carpet to go.
Straight lines from the front to back of the stair can be traced with two inches on either side.This will show you where to put the tackles and the carpet when the time comes.You can use blue masking tape to mark your outline, then peel it off when you're done.
Step 6: Don't cut your tackless strips.
The tackle strips keep your carpet from falling down.They should be 1.5 inches narrower than the steps.It's important that you don't get any strips jutting out when the carpet is set.If the stair is 30 inches wide, your carpet runner must be 26 inches long.A carpet tackless strip is usually 4 feet long by 1 inch wide and has tacks or brads partially sunk in it.
Step 7: Draw lines in pencil from the center of the tackles.
Having a visual cue as to the true center of your tackles strips will make them easier to place.Next, take care of the steps themselves.For each, use a ruler or meter stick.The line will be clear and visible if you use an HB pencil.
Step 8: Take the strips and put them in place.
The strip centre line should be aligned with the line on each tackle.It's time to put the strips in for good.Be sure to evenly distribute the tack nails throughout the strip.This will make sure it is stable.If you leave a strip for the height of each step, one or two strips per step is enough.It will be easier to gauge the center for the horizontal strips if you install one closer to the rise.
Step 9: There is a horizontal strip for the height of each step.
The carpet will fit better into the frame of the stairs if another set of tackless strips is added to the steps.Divide the nails along each of them by adding them to the centre.It will be easier to aim and gauge the center with the tread strips in place.
Step 10: There is another set of strips for the other side of each step.
Now that you're used to it, the third and final set of strips should be easier to work on.It would make sense to do this third set when you did the first, but it's a good idea to leave this one for last to give yourself enough time to install the horizontal strip.Go from the top to the bottom.You can maximize the stepping space and comfort by doing that.
Step 11: Make sure every stair has the correct strips.
You should verify your progress before moving on to the padding and carpet laying.If you know you have to fix something a few steps down the road, it will be more difficult.
Step 12: Attach a piece of carpet to each tread.
The carpet feels soft and cushiony, as well as protecting feet from tacks, thanks to the carpet pad.The carpet runner should be cut the same length as the tackless strips.The carpet will have a nice end when it's done.
Step 13: Place your padding sheets against the tackles strips and staple them.
It's time to put your pieces in place.Take care to align the padding with the tackles strips.The industrial stapler should be applied at three inch intervals.It's a good idea to start from the bottom and work slowly up.That way, you'll be able to stand on the padding.
Step 14: Attach the padding with a staple every three inches.
The padding needs to be tucked under the nose of the step.The basics should make it easier to do horizontal padding.Make sure to line up the staplers on the heights' padding with the ones you made for the treads.The nose is the part of the step that goes past the height.The vertical part of the step is the height.
Step 15: The padding has been done correctly.
You shouldn't see any more tackles at this point.The padding should be on the treads of the steps and the heights.It's important to fix any potential issues before you get around to the carpet because a single mistake here could make future steps impossible.You can begin laying the runner if you're satisfied with your current work.
Step 16: Go to the top of the staircase.
It's best to start at the top and work your way down once you're done laying the carpet runner.It will be easier to cut the carpet at the end if you put gravity on your side.
Step 17: There is a runner between layout pencil marks.
It should be easy to get the carpet situation between the two as close as you can if you traced the outline at the beginning of the project.Press the carpet under the nose and tug the rest out to make sure you get the amount of carpet you need.When you're done, the carpet should cover the ground, but the outline of the steps may not be visible.If you make a mistake, it will cause a lot of strain later on when the project is supposed to be complete.
Step 18: Press your carpet into the steps with a knee-kicker.
The carpet can be planted firmly in areas that are otherwise difficult to reach.Place the front edge of your carpet knee-kicker on the center of the runner two inches from the riser and apply pressure until the carpet is locked in.They will give your stairs a tighter look than if you didn't use them.To keep the kicker's shaft level, lean on the front knob with one hand and use the other.You can use a chisel.It is easier to use the dull edge on stairs or in tight quarters.
Step 19: Once you are done, make sure the kicking is complete.
The last part of using the knee-kicker is to make sure you get the job done to your satisfaction.If you don't kick in properly, you may have too much carpet or too little, and it will need to be uplocated or even destroyed.
Step 20: Make sure your work is correct.
You should make sure that the carpet is not getting caught by the tackles strip at the far end of the tread.The carpet could get bumpy a few years down the road if the tackless strips aren't properly clinging to the carpet.Press the angle between the step's height and tread to make sure it gets in.
Step 21: There is excess carpet at the bottom of the steps.
There should be some water at the bottom.It's easy to cut the excess carpet with a carpet knife from here.You can do what you want with the rest of the carpet.Some people are quick to throw them out, while others prefer to use them.
Step 22: Adhere the step to the wood.
It's important to have a powerful stapler designed for home improvement to get your carpet snug and perfect.Push the stapler through the carpet pile and against the backing.Adhere on the underside of the step noses.It's best to staple at three inch intervals.You can use carpet glue.Make sure that the carpet is where you want it to be before you staple it.It will be next to impossible to correct any mistakes after you staple.