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An entire carpet installation will probably cost around $200 to $4000 depending on the stairs and carpet. ", "Learning what the strips were called so I could find a remedy helped.". Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Start at the bottom of the stairs, with the pile facing down the stairs so it … These pads should not cover any of the tack strips, however. So it is very important to use a brush with hard bristles or if you don’t have a brush like that. Repeat this process for the entire length of the staircase. You should now have a very clean looking staircase! We did this project over a full weekend and two additional weeks nights following. My house has many electrical cables below the stairs. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Measure the horizontal width of the tread from end to end. Once you are satisfied with the runner’s position, use a carpet awl to push it tightly into the seam between the tread and the riser, and into your tack strips. The stair carpet installing price would depend on its size and how much carpet you would be using. After removing the carpet, dispose of the carpet pad. To create this article, 15 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. I have a landing in between two staircases that I would like to continue the stair runner on. Calculating square footage for most rooms in your home is straightforward. No bumps allowed! How To Remove Carpet from Stairs. With the padding in place, the next step in how to carpet stairs is to put the carpet itself in … First, you need to cut the carpet pad to fit each stair. Learn more... Staircases are often some of the most heavily trafficked areas at home. Feel free to do what you will with the remainder of the carpet. Some people carpet their stairs so they will match the flooring at the top or bottom of the staircase, others because they want the added traction carpet can provide. The whole carpet cleaning machine is quite bulky and heavy for cleaning stairs. Some carpet designs come with a design woven into it. You will need approximately 4' of carpet to cover the width, to allow the carpet to flow through the posts and wrap around the outside of the stair. You don't want to damage them. Lay the pattern or patterns over the back of the carpet remnant. Make sure each step is as good as it can get before you move down to the next-- any mistake will cause a load of undue strain later on once the project is supposedly complete. Carpet creates a soft, inviting look that makes homes feel cozier and more comfortable. Make sure you affix the strips to the tread of each stair, having the angled edge facing away. Start at the top of the stairs and remove the carpet with the vise-grips and utility knife. Once the carpet is dry, you will see that it looks clean and as good as new. Use the vise-grips to pull the carpet free from the riser. Then, secure the runner to the riser just beneath the next tread with staples, spaced roughly three inches apart. Simply purchase the width that best fits your stairs. A carpet knee-kicker, to help stretch and fasten carpets. That way, you'll be able to stand firmly on the padding while you're stapling subsequent steps. Last Updated: February 10, 2020 After you have the tackless strips installed, take care to be safe around them. Then pull the end toward the bottom. Homeowners often think it’s too difficult to do anything with their stairs. This post highlights a few tips on fixing loose carpet on stairs and lowering the risk of injuries. When the time comes to lay your stair carpet, you must begin with the tack strips. Carpet runners are sold in a variety of standard width measurements. Fold the carpet's edges around the step. How To: Install Carpeting on Stairs If you can’t choose between carpet and wood to cover your stairs, choose both! The process of installing a carpet on your staircase will take you through the following steps. This wouldn’t normally come out with just a vacuum cleaner. Each piece of carpet was also wrapped around the edges of the stairs and around the balusters, so I had to remove the staples holding it in place from underneath (green arrow below). Here are instructions on laying carpet on your stairs, including tools you will need and a few tips and tricks to get the stair carpet fitted without any mishaps. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Well, this was just the tip of the iceberg. We think so. This article has been viewed 239,199 times. On straight stairs, stretch a measuring tape or rule around one entire stair, starting at the inside edge of the tread and moving over the outside of the tread and down along the riser below it to the top of the next tread. There are two methods of installing carpet on the stair: waterfall or French cap. Two strips of padding for each step -- one of the step itself, and one for the rise. It will remove the dirt instilled into the carpet because … Turn the carpet upside down, and snap a chalk line on each side so that the distance between the chalk lines is equal to the width of the runner. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Some people are quick to throw them out, while others like to find practical uses for them. As much carpet as is required to fit the stairs, leaving an extra couple of feet to account for cuts and possible errors. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. ; Measure your landing as you would a normal room, remembering to go into any doorways. It gives a consistent look to the stairs. When it comes to carpeting stairs, the calculations are a little more involved, but still doable. If you have existing hardwoods underneath, be careful when cutting the carpet. Lean on the front knob of the kicker with one hand, and use the other hand to keep the kicker's shaft level. Consider taking pictures of your stairs as they are to give the sales associate a kind of visual references to keep in mind while he helps you. Is this a good reason to schedule a house re-warming? The pad needs to be cut to precision to fit between the tackless strips and bottom of the riser. This article has been viewed 239,199 times. See more ideas about carpet stairs, stairs, stair runner carpet. This may make working with patterning irregularly-sized staircases very tricky, as most carpet runners are made to fit a certain kind of stair. What's more, a nicely decorated staircase can be the beautiful centrepiece of a home if it's presented in the right way. If you plan to leave the stairs as is or stain them, all that damage means more work later on for you. Pre-hemmed runners are usually sold in one of a few widths, most commonly 27 and 32 inches, so choose the one that fits your tread size with as much (or as little) wood showing as desired. Stretch your carpet with a knee kicker and carpet stretcher into the seam formed between the riser and the tread. The includes the length, width and height of each stair, as well as the number of stairs itself. References. Install one for now, closer to the rise; that way, you'll have an easier time gauging the center for the horizontal strips. To provide each of your wooden steps with a little more cushion, lay down a base of carpet padding. A stair landing is either the top of a set of stairs that leads to a hallway or another room, or an intermediate area where the stairs turn another direction. Carefully place tackless strips on the riser and back of each tread as … Cut the carpet with a utility knife under the nose of the landing. Your classy, comfy stairway is ready to make its grand entrance at your next celebration. I've read the tackless strip instructions twice and still do not understand how to install them. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. This is our stairs before. Nail one on each riser, centered, ¼ inch from the bottom, and one on each tread, ¼ inch from the rear, also centered. Measure the stairs carefully for the new carpet. Should I start at the top or the bottom when carpeting stairs? The carpet was old and dirty giving the entry a very dark and dated feel. That would cause an electrical short. Position the end of the runner directly over the bottom fastening strip so that about 3/8 inch of carpet is turned up along the floor. Next, you'll need to nail down tackless strips onto each step, which is how you'll keep the carpet in place after it's installed. Finally, trim any excess carpet from the bottom of the steps using a carpet knife. Stairs get a lot of foot traffic, and the high traffic means a lot of dirt. Start at the middle, and work your way to each edge to minimize any bubbles in the middle. They’re not confident enough to try replacing their stair carpet themselves, and getting a carpet fitted by a professional can be expensive, as we recently explained in our guide to carpet fitting costs.. Most carpet cleaners won’t work on individual stairs, so it means you have to do it by hand if you want to get the carpet on your stairs clean. The carpeting should be even with the floor, but if not, just trim the edge with a carpet knife. A carpet roll for stairs can cover a large area quickly without having to measure and cut each piece. Alternatively, you can use carpet glue instead of staples. These strips will secure your carpeting to the stairs, making it safe to walk on. Carpet runner can, however, be cut and hemmed from any wall-to-wall carpet roll; just know that each side must be stitched with a border to prevent fraying before you start. The nose is the part of the step that extends slightly past the drop, or height. If this is the case, you'll want to respect the properties of the design pattern while placing the carpet. Carpeting adds warmth to an interior, especially when added to a striking staircase. Is it OK to hammer the tack nails down if they're sticking up through the rug? Just measure length and width and multiply. With the help of its hard bristles, it becomes easy to remove the dirt. Let’s get right to the point, what you are actually after; the before and after. Grip the carpet with both hands for easier removal and to maintain balance and safety. For advice on how to choose the best type of carpet for your stairway, read on! They sustain more impact than flat ground because of the added force of gravity when you ascend and descend the stairs. Additionally, the nature of climbing up and down stairs pounds and grinds the dirt into the carpet. After padding each tread, lay the carpet between your pencil marks and press it into the steps with a carpet kicker. So long as you're cautious and take care to follow the process closely, laying a carpet runner along your steps is a fairly straightforward process, and will add beauty (not to mention comfort) to this important part of your home. Ideally, you should aim to give the staircase as much visible symmetry as possible. This method is most suitable for heavy and thick-set carpets. Wear gloves when working with tackless strips. If the stair carpet that is not as wide as the width of the stairs, stair rods are used to keep it securely in place. How long does it take for the adhesive to dry? 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 (or rounded front-section) in mind, giving a couple more inches than you would otherwise to compensate for it. Staple at three inch intervals for optimal stability. Both these methods of cleaning carpet of stairs are effective and yield results in … Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. After removing all the furniture and old floor covering from the room, … Step 8 – Staple Carpet Down. For advice on how to choose the best type of carpet for your stairway, read on! Support wikiHow by Here’s a quick post recapping my carpet removal adventures before I forget the entire process. So that it can remove any deep-seated dirt and debris from the carpet. Cut your tack strips into lengths that are four inches shorter than the width of your chosen runner, then count out two strips for each stair. Measure the depth of the tread and the height of the riser. By Jill Lawrence O'Hara and Bob Vila. My husband and I recently tore the carpet from our stairs and painted the wood underneath creating a fresh, clean, and modern look! This hemming process requires a special sewing machine used by carpet professionals, so you’ll need to hire a pro and provide full measurements (see Step 3) for a custom cut. Some people carpet their stairs so they will match the flooring at the top or bottom of the staircase, others because they want the added traction carpet can provide. unlocking this expert answer. Many people are asking how much does it cost to carpet stairs. It also absorbs the impact of footsteps to quiet your home. You do not have to measure to cover the entire staircase for carpet runners. The best carpet for stairs has a low pile—¾-inch or less—to be both more stable underfoot and resilient to traffic. My husband and I recently tore the carpet from our stairs and painted the wood underneath creating a fresh, clean, and modern look! Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. 1. Here, the carpet rolls over the flight of stairs without the need for a firm placement. The dull edge helps tighten up corners and is easier to use on stairs or in tight quarters. Good padding is worth the investment, because it can extend the life of the carpet on this highly trafficked corridor. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Place the carpet on the bottom of the stairs and center it properly. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Carpeted stairs are safer than hard-surface stairs, as they lessen your chances of slipping and pad your fall if you lose your balance. Stairs are the most frequented and highly trafficked area of a home or office. First, you need to calculate how many tiles you need, then take the necessary preparation and cut out a template. On the other hand, it would only cost you $325 for an eight-hour job if you do it yourself. And it works perfectly! What adhesives should I use? How to Fit Stair Carpet. These instructions make it easy to install carpet on stairs and the landing. How would I calculate the cost to carpet my stairs? 4. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. If left to dry on its own, it could take days or weeks and mold would start growing on it. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Following that, staple the carpet into the riser right below the tread. With an additional hint of color and texture, carpeting can round out a design and create a sense of continuity between two different floors. This is a serious tripping hazard, as there is likely nothing there to hold the second layer down and out of the way. Unlock this expert answer by supporting wikiHow. Roll out the length of carpet needed to run the length of the stairs and cut it approximately 3" wider than the finished runner will be. The instructions will be much easier to follow if you sp… With the fastening strips and padding in place, you are now ready to secure the carpet in place on the stairs. That way, you'll maximize the stepping space and comfort you are afforded while you work. To carpet your stairs, start by measuring your stairs and using a pencil to mark a line two inches on either side of each tread to give you an outline of where the carpet should go. Whether you plan to pick up a runner that is ready to go, or craft something totally custom, you’ll first … Can I install a temporary carpet over an existing carpet on stairs? The standard stair is 30 inches wide. Then, use a staple gun to attach carpet pad to the treads. Assuming you have standard-sized stairs, and allowing for 3 inches on either side to display the wood, you need 24 inches for each stair step and riser. Trim the pad where the nosing and the top of the riser meet and, if using the waterfall method, clip the corners so you won’t see the pad. A stair that has one open side with railing posts on it is known as a cap stair. The fact is that sorting out your stair carpet isn’t as tough as you may think. Don’t start until you have the proper tools. Use a rubber mallet and stair tool to fold the carpet down into the seam and secure it in place. Kick back and relax now that the work is done. Could the nails pass through the cables? Find trusted local pros for any home project. Whether you plan to pick up a runner that is ready to go, or craft something totally custom, you’ll first need to collect all your necessary measurements. However, you can start from the bottom if you wish. An industrial stapler and staples, for securing the carpet. Install the Carpet Tack Strips. Secure one end of the pad just in front of the tack strip on the tread, using a hammer tacker and stapling every three inches across. Add the two figures together then add 6 inches to account for waste; the total is the length of the runner carpet you will need to cover the stairs. Make sure that the carpet on the stairs dries within a day or two maximum to avoid any more problems. With all the padding in place, it’s time to install the runner, working from the bottom of the stairs to the top. Even in the most well kept homes, dirt and debris can settle into carpeted stairs, making them prime targets for discoloration and stubborn stains. Carpet, no matter the style or weave, is generally sold by the square foot or the square yard. Make absolutely certain that the carpet is exactly where you want it to be before you staple. The waterfall method involves simply bending the carpet over the edge of the stair and bringing it straight down to meet the tread of the next step. Cut thick padding in strips 1 inch narrower than the width of the runner, just as with the tackless strips, and 3 inches longer than the depth of the tread. Carpet tackless strips are almost always strips of Douglas fir wood, usually 4 feet long by 1 inch wide, with very sharp nails protruding through them at 60 degree angles and tacks or brads partially sunk in the strip. Prepare your stairs for carpet installation by installing tack strips, thin pieces of wood resembling yardsticks with tacks pointing upward. Great! So it important to fix the underlay to the stairs with tacks before laying the carpet. Cross section of stairs with carpet grippers, underlay and carpet layed Cut pieces of underlay to fit the tread and staple in place. While the carpet will be held in place by the stair rods they will not prevent the underlay from moving. Step 2: Install Tackless Strips. This narrow rug runs down the center of the staircase, leaving some wood exposed on each side of the tread while still providing all the benefits of carpet, such as additional grip, shock absorption, and noise reduction. Treads are typically 10 to 11-1/2 inches deep; the deeper the tread, the more comfortable the climb. - YouTube The rug will be soaked in water after cleaning with the shampoo. The carpet pads not only give the stair runner some fluff and comfort underfoot, but they also help the runner stay in place with some grip and they help with noise. Carpet is a great option to improve the look, feel, and noise level of a staircase in a home. This past weekend I once more lost my wits and started a project unexpectedly when I set out to remove carpet from the stairs. Repeat this process with every step until you reach the landing. Work your way from the top to the bottom. No! One or two strips per step is enough, so long as you leave a strip for the height of each step to install horizontally. You don't want to damage them. Plus, it’s possible to complete this installation project in only a few hours. Should I paint the stairs before installing new carpet on them? % of people told us that this article helped them. With the tread strips in place it will be much easier to properly aim and gauge the center. Stair guides that fit snugly along the base of each step can help keep it in place over a longer period of time than just … Most fitters start from the top, purely because it is easier (you can hold the roll in your knee area). Step 4: Drying the carpet. Carpet tre stair anti slip rug self stairway makeover swing carpet for cap a tread co 94 in l x 1 2 installing carpet s without staples carpet installation stairs How To Install Carpet On StairsWhat Is Padding Glue With PicturesInstalling Laminate On Top Stair To CarpetThe Three Types Of Carpet InstallationInstalling Stair Risers Diy … Carpet is a great option to improve the look, feel, and noise level of a staircase in a home. Carpet. How do I install a carpet runner on concrete steps? Take your strip of carpet and roll it up, with the underside facing out. Choosing carpet for the stairs can be a bit more difficult than choosing carpet for other areas of the home. Draw a floorplan of your landing and hallway then mark with an arrow where the stairs come down from the landing. Once you are happy with the carpet placement, secure the carpet down with staples. Find a good place to start removing carpet from stairs. According to DIYorNot.com, the average cost to install carpet on stairs with 16 steps, particularly a runner, is around $638 which would take a professional installer about five hours to complete. The height, then, is the vertical part of the step. Place the front part of a knee kicker (a professional carpet tool available for rent from your local big-box hardware store) about two to three inches from the second riser, then give it a jolt with your knee to tighten the carpeting along the edges. You can find this material in many shapes and sizes, but remember that high-quality stair padding is thicker than wall-to-wall padding. This will show you from start to finish how to carpet stairs and get great results while doing so. Step 2: Remove Staples, Nails or Tack Strips Using an awl or something similar, push the carpet into the strip to create a clear division between the bottom stairs and floor. How to Protect Carpeted Stairs and Prevent Future Damage. Center the runner so that there are equal amounts of wood on each side, then press it into the very first tack strip (at the bottom of the riser), using a carpet awl to get a clean look between the bottom of the stair riser and the flooring. Free carpet samples, home consultations, expert advice and finance options available. This video will show YOU how to install carpet on your stairs for less than 1/10th of the cost to have it done professionally. You canuse your vacuum cleaner which comes with a special attachment. Before you do anything else, you'll need to have a clear idea what the size of your staircase is. There is also a glue-down style of carpeting that works well. After you staple, it will be next to impossible to correct any mistakes. So those on the tread face to the back and those on the riser face "down". Next up: Time to choose a carpet. Then, staple the runner into the crease where the riser and tread meet on either end of the strip as well as each outer edge, two inches from the bottom of the riser. How to Carpet Stairs and Fit Carpet on a Staircase. Of all of the options available to you, a machine-hemmed, prefabricated stair runner is the most convenient choice for easy installation. The pins should face into the angle of the stair. I started at the bottom corner of the stairs by using a crowbar to pry the carpet away from the tack strip. Just measure length and width and multiply. What are Included. Step 7 – Install Carpet. Building codes control the dimensions of treads and risers. As always, an HB pencil is best for this, as the line will be clear and visible. Carpet, no matter the style or weave, is generally sold by the square foot or the square yard. There are two ways of installing carpet on stairs: the Hollywood method and the waterfall method. You want to do as little damage to your stairs as possible. Calculating square footage for most rooms in your home is straightforward. Roll up the carpet, and lay it a few steps above the bottom. Showcase the beauty of wood stairs without sacrificing the comfort of carpet with this clever compromise: a carpet runner. If you know for sure you’re going to put down new carpet or paint your stairs, you don’t have to be as careful. By using our site, you agree to our. Start with the ideal width of your runner. "Very detailed, printable with pictures, more involved than I thought it would be. The success of every step depends on the success of the one before it, so it's a good idea to take extra special caution in following steps correctly when it comes to laying carpet on stairs. When the stairs are completely dry, give them a final vacuum to freshen the carpet and remove and debris from the cleaning process. You'll need at least three for each step. Trace around the pattern with a pen, … Do the hooks go a certain way? First, prep the stairs by removing the carpet with a utility knife and a pry bar. This is because, in addition to having to decide on carpet style and color, the carpet has to be of appropriate durability and thickness to be installed on the stair. Tapi Top Tip Double (and triple) check this information is included on the plan – it’s very important to ensure the carpet pile goes in the right direction. When you finally reach the top riser, fold the carpet’s upper edge back on itself and staple it just underneath the overhanging lip of the flooring. If you plan to have a runner custom cut (or if you need help visualizing how your stairs would appear partially covered with a carpet runner), try draping brown kraft paper or a flat sheet folded lengthwise to determine the right runner width. With stairs you want to stretch it into the inner corner of each step. Tackless strips to hold the carpet and padding down. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Use the knee kicker to push the carpet between the tread and the riser. If you plan to install carpet padding beneath the carpet on the stairs, add 3 inches (7.6 cm) to the total area of the stair before rounding. To create this article, 15 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. The first step in cleaning the carpet on the stairs is to use a brush that has stiff bristles. For a typical set of 12 box stairs measuring 3' wide, using a carpet that is 12' wide, you would require 12' x 4'6" (in a 12' width of carpet, you get 4 box stairs -- 12' divided by 3' -- so every 12' x 18" gives you 4 stairs). This time, it's a good idea to start from the bottom and work slowly up. It’s the best of both worlds! What is the best way to attach the runner to the floor on the landing? Removing carpet from the stairs requires more tools and … You can also use a carpet chisel. How to Carpet a Stair Landing. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 for each stair until you reach a landing or the top riser. If you want the Hollywood style of carpeting, you’ll need a little extra length in order to have enough give to fasten the runner completely; add one inch for each nosing and at least 18 extra inches for spare. Is it necessary to use padding to carpet stairs? Recently this type of interior design element has been growing in popularity so we decided to create a guide on how to make your own carpet stair treads. Staple carpet padding to stair surfaces. If you need more than one runner, add an additional 12 inches to the total to account for seams where the two carpet pieces will join. Adding carpet stair treads to your home is a great way of making a contrasting feature of your stairs. Then, pull the padding tight around the stair nosing and staple it underneath (onto the riser), again spaced every three inches. When it comes to carpeting stairs, the calculations are a little more involved, but still doable. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Center the carpet at the bottom of the stairs, using an awl to push the carpet back into the tackless strip to create a clean line. You can mark your outline in blue masking tape for nice lines, then simply peel it off when you are finished. Measure your staircase. It has the same measurements for the tread and riser as a box stair (combined 18"). Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. If your stairs follow the standard dimensions, it will be much easier to measure and lay your carpet, as carpet runners designed for the standard dimensions will be easy to find. Buy Hall, stairs & landing carpets at Carpetright, the UK's largest carpet retailer. To begin, use a utility knife to cut the padding into rectangles that are the same width as the length of each tack strip (to ensure that the padding won’t stick out under the carpet), and three inches longer than the depth of the tread. Even in the cleanest of homes, dirt and debris still find its way settling into the carpeted stairs, which sets them up for carpet discoloration and stubborn stains. Installing carpet on stairs can be tricky and time-consuming, but it can be accomplishedeven by noviceswith some understanding and patience. Accidentally stepping on one of them can lead to horrible consequences, so it's a good idea to get the padding down as soon as possible. Staple on the underside of the step noses, and nearest the angle between the tread and height. Carpeted stairs and landings are safer than hard surfaces, as they’re less slippery and padded should falls occur. Conclusion. Just take it one step at a time. We did this project over a full weekend and two additional weeks nights following. Carpet tre stair anti slip rug self stairway makeover swing carpet for cap a tread co 94 in l x 1 2 installing carpet s without staples carpet installation stairs How To Install Carpet On StairsWhat Is Padding Glue With PicturesInstalling Laminate On Top Stair To CarpetThe Three Types Of Carpet InstallationInstalling Stair Risers Diy … These will grip the carpet backing and hold it in place. Next, to calculate the length of your stair runner, add your measurements for the depth of the stair tread and the height of the riser, then multiply this sum by the number of stairs. This is our stairs before. Rise (height) and runs (width) can vary in size, so be sure to measure closely. Thirdly, you could use a carpet cleaning machine with a special attachment for stairs. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. We only installed carpet runner on the step itself, not over the nose and not down the riser. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Carpet-Stairs-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Carpet-Stairs-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Carpet-Stairs-Step-1.jpg\/aid1387700-v4-728px-Carpet-Stairs-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"