Carpet Installation

What to do before the installer arrives

     Make sure that the room temperature is at least 65, but no more than 95, degrees.  If the room is very cold, the carpeting will be stiff and hard to manipulate. If installed under these conditions, in warmer temperatures the carpet may relax and cause bubbling or waffling because it could not be stretched properly when installed.  This is particularly important in vacant homes were heating is usually neglected.

     Move all small items and breakables. Especially delicate items like computers, fish tanks and wall mounted items. Though carpet companies offer furniture moving services for a nominal fee, this is for the furniture not what is on it or in it. Some people expect the installer to come in and move everything, including clothing and debris. Be considerate and move everything but the large furniture items so that the installer can concentrate on doing a quality installation. 

     Be sure there is sufficient lighting and that a power source is available so that the installer can utilize the tools he needs for installation (like seam irons).

     Make sure any new paint or wallpaper has had sufficient time to dry.  Try to allow at least 24 hours between painting or wallpapering and the installation of your carpet.

Hint: Discuss with the estimator if the bottom of door clearances will have to be altered to function properly over the thickness of the new carpet and padding.  Some companies will shave doors but some do not so you may have to make arrangements for the doors to be altered accordingly.

Styles of Installation

     The traditional and most frequently used style of carpet installation is "Over Padding". Tack strip (a wooden strip with diagonal upward pointing small nails) is glued or nailed to the floor perimeters.  The appropriate padding is glued or stapled around the perimeter, at the seams, and trimmed in place within the frame created by the tack strip. The carpet is laid in place and kick stretched or power stretched to catch onto the tack strip nails.

No padding is used in "Direct Glue Down" installation.  Adhesive is spread on the floor, the carpet is laid down and all seams are made. The adhesive creates a permanent bond between the carpet and floor.  This type of installation is most commonly used with commercial type carpets.  In residential applications it would be used in kitchens, basements and in outdoor situations like patios.

     Carpet can be seamed and trimmed to fit wall to wall without being attached to the floor in a "Loose Lay" Installation.  Binding can be applied (usually this will be an in store service and the carpet can then be delivered to you upon completion) for a nice finished edge.  This type of installation is ideal in apartments were landlords will not allow installation of new carpeting, tile and wood floors that you don't want to damage with installation procedures, or situations were you will want to take your carpeting with you when you move.

Stair Installation Styles

     The Waterfall method is the most common installation style for steps, and the one that most carpeting stores consider "standard", and as such should not charge extra for. In this method the carpet is brought across the rounded nose of the tread and drawn down into the crotch at the base of the riser.

Upholstered steps are applied in the same manner as in waterfall steps with the exception that the carpet is attached to the underside of the riser first and then brought straight down the face of the riser to the crotch below. This is a more finished looking approach and defines the step more.

     A Runner is a carpet strip slightly narrower than the step and is installed down the center of the stairs leaving exposed wood on both sides.  The edges of the runner can be bound or turned under and the flow of the runner over the riser can be in either of the styles listed above. This method would be ideal when you have well-polished wood flooring that you would like to be visible but you would also like to have the comfort and warmth of carpeting.

     Treads are bound pieces of carpeting the depth of the tread and any desired width can be attached to the steps with no carpet on the risers. These should be stapled well to avoid tripping hazards, as the carpet does not come around the nose of the step. This is often used to create a look where wood floors predominate and the tread is used to protect the step and cut noise and add comfort.

Capped installation is used when the staircase has some or all of the steps open ended (i.e. not meeting a wall). This highly tailored style of installation is the most elegant when done properly. 

You must decide ahead of time what style of step installation you want as this decision can affect yardage. For all styles except waterfall there is usually an additional charge. The other styles require a great deal more labor and technical knowledge to perform than the simpler waterfall.

Hint: After installation keep any large leftover pieces of carpet. Make this clear to the dealer before installation so they can instruct the installer accordingly, otherwise the waste material will be hauled away during cleanup.  Any repairs that might be needed in the future will require carpet from the same dye lot as that installed in your house, if you have these scraps available repairs will be much easier.

Why are seams necessary?

     Carpeting is a textile made in given widths and as such will have to be seamed when used in areas larger than the standard length of 12-15 ft. Often times rooms will fit within these dimensions,  but if the area is larger, some seaming will be needed. A skillful estimator will plan the seams so they are in an inconspicuous area and at the same time keeping wastage to a minimum.

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