Do you prefer the DIY method? You can easily install carpet yourself and get pro results. If you want to know how to install carpet, here’s your guide.
Does your home need a makeover? If so, consider rolling up those sleeves and learning how to install carpet. Changing the carpet can bring an upgrade and doing it yourself will save hundreds of dollars.
The best part about DIY carpeting? It’s way easier than you think!
This article shares the process of ripping out the old and setting the new. And, helps you save a bunch of money with helpful tips and tricks along the way.
Out with the Old, In with the New: How to Install Carpet The DIY Way
Carpet holds up for about 8-10 years depending on the home’s activity. The carpet breaks down and shows its age. Plus, the decade’s difference has likely shown a change to your design aesthetics. It’s time for remodeling!
Carpeting Tools and Supplies You’ll Need
There are many worthwhile investments to get that clean layout when installing carpet. Tools include:
- Carpet knife — Used to cut/slice the carpet
- Knee kicker — Used to stretch and taunt the carpet
- Trowel — Helpful to applying carpet adhesive
- Tucker — Handy for getting around the edges
- Staple gun — Used to secure the carpet
- Adhesive — Secures the carpet to the flooring
- Tack Strips — Secures carpeting around edges
- Stretcher — Stretches the carpet keeping it taunt for installation
A few others may catch your attention but this list provides the essentials. Grab them at your local home improvement store. Or, order them online from a commercial interior design shop.
An optional item includes foam to add carpeting softness.
DIY Carpet Installation: Step-by-Step
Installing carpet pose some difficulties as it’s a big project with little room for error. Follow this guide and you’ll do great:
1. Measure
- Measure the area of the room (L x W)
- Divide by 9 to get the square footage
- Give yourself extra on each end for errors
2. Removal
- Slice a carpet’s corner
- Grab under the carpet and pull
- Work your way around the perimeter
- Slice and discard sections as you go
- Pull up carpet padding
- Remove loose or damaged staples/strips
Now’s a good time to reinforce the subflooring with extra nails. Or, replace tack strips giving your new carpet better holding.
3. Installation
- Cut and install tack strips along the room’s perimeter
- Roll out and place the carpet padding/foam
- Wedge the foam with the tucker, then slice extra padding
- Notch and trim the carpet to size with some extra for errors
- Layout carpet throughout the room
- Use the knee kicker to wedge an edge as your starter section
- Get the new carpeting in place using the knee kicker
- Trim extras around the edges
- Stretch the carpet taunt using the stretcher tool
- Staple edges securing the carpet in place
Consideration with the Carpet Install
Use carpet glue between steps 2 – 6 using the trowel for even coverage. You’ll omit carpet foam in most installations though this decision is upon you.
Fresh Fibers Between Your Toes
Learning how to install carpet is the easy part. Now come the challenge and task of getting it done! This article outlined tools and process giving everything needed for a new aesthetic.
Want more? Check our home renovation blogs for more ideas!