Carpeting is not a complex and time-consuming process. The steps are relatively easy once revised properly, and takes one day for each room. Before this, however, you must choose the type of carpet and design. This is the fun element of carpet installation!
How To Install Carpet
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Measure
One of the most important steps in carpet installation is measuring the length of the carpet you need to buy. Whilst you can trim down the carpet in the final stages, it is more affordable to only purchase the material you need. This can be done by grabbing a tape measure and then measuring the length, and the width. After this, you can multiply the two in order to estimate the area. This final number is the amount of carpet you will need.
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Clean
Whilst it is not necessary, cleaning up the vicinity is useful before beginning the installation process. This is to ensure that the floor is clean before layering on a new carpet. Additionally, the new carpet will stick better if there is less dirt on the pre-existing floor.
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Buy tack strip
Tack strips should be placed around the border of the room. Essentially, they are pieces of wood which have sharp nails embedded, allowing the carpet to stick to the floor. These are sold in all hardware stores. As we mentioned, you should measure the length and width of the room before starting this process. When buying tack strips, use this measurement to determine the amount you need
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Lay out padding
Carpet padding is placed underneath your carpet. Often, it is made of foam and fibre. Once you have cut and shaped the carpet padding, lay it on the floor. After this, you can staple it.
This padding is multipurpose and serves a variety of functions. Firstly, it protects the floor underneath and reduces stress. It is also more comfortable, and less noisy.
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Prepare carpet
Sometimes, carpets need time to regulate. You can leave the carpet out for up to 48 hours prior, in order to help it fully adjust to your core temperature at home.
After these initial steps, you can finally begin placing down the actual carpet. It should be cut to your measurements in the store it was bought, however, slightly larger measurements are not an inconvenience. You can trim down the carpet or help to shape it to the contours of your floor.
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Seams
If the room you are installing the carpet in is not a perfect square or rectangle shape, you may need more than one piece of carpet. Additionally, you may have a large room which requires many carpets. When this is the case, seaming is obligatory.
Lay the seaming tape down and ensure that the two pieces of carpet overlap by three inches. Subsequently, use your iron to heat the tape for 10 seconds, and then press down the carpet on the tape. This makes the two materials stick.
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Staple carpet
Once the carpet is placed down and rolled out, you can begin to staple it. One by one, you can individually staple the carpet. This is done at the free edges of the room, and not anywhere in the centre. This is because there is padding there.
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Final modifications
After the carpet is stapled, you can adjust it so that it sits comfortably. Push the carpet into the seams and extend it so that there are no bumps, and it is tight. You can also trim any excess from the edges with a carpet knife or scissors.
Carpet Aesthetics
There is a wide array of carpet designs. Depending on your home, you may prefer any one of them.
The material of the carpet is one of the most significant factors. More commonly, carpets are made of wool, because they come in different colours and styles. Additionally, they are incredibly stain resistant and affordable. Nylon and polyester are other cost-effective alternatives. If you are looking for a durable carpet, propylene is the ideal choice, especially for outdoor carpeting.
In terms of texture, velvet carpets are the most common. It is short and dense, perfect for any room. On the other hand, Saxony carpets are longer and deeper, providing more comfort. Shag carpets are the deepest of them all, however, they are usually made of yarn, which is arduous to clean.
Another aspect to consider is the colour of your carpet. Light variants like birch and snow are undoubtedly the most common, as they are likable and suit any interior. Nonetheless, you should consider that they are harder to remove stains from. Darker shades such as chocolate are great for rooms with kids and pets.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have discovered that carpet installation is easier than it sounds! It can take one or more days, however, is not a difficult process. Choosing the type of carpet is also straightforward, as long as you take into account the tone of your existing furniture and fittings.