About DIY Carpet Installation

If you're building a home or remodeling, sooner or later it comes down to floors. Should you consider installing new carpeting yourself? The choices of carpeting are endless, and then there's the installation. While this is a common do-it-yourself project, there are several things to consider before committing yourself to the task.

Equiptment

Installing your own carpet will entail buying or renting several things besides the carpet and padding. If the room hasn't previously been carpeted, you'll need to install tack strip around the perimeter. If there will be one or more seams, you'll need seam tape, and it's highly recommended that you purchase knee pads. You'll need a carpet stretcher, which can be rented at most rental stores and some big box home improvement centers, as well as a staple gun to affix the padding to the floor.

Manpower

It's much easier to install carpet with a partner. Carpet rolls are heavy, and it takes quite a bit of maneuvering to get the carpet positioned before installing. Likewise, if there is furniture in the room, it may be impossible to move heavier pieces by yourself.

Layout

Knowing which way to lay the carpet is an important part of installation. Carpet has a nap, and it can be crucial to the finished look of the room, especially on stairs. Carpet seams must be out of the traffic flow to last the life of your carpet. This may entail purchasing more square feet of carpet than you initially estimate.

Considerations

While do-it-yourself carpet installation may seem like a money-saving venture, you only have one shot at laying it correctly. Overstretching, over-cutting and improper layout can ruin the piece of carpet or the overall results. Many professional carpet installers periodically offer free installation with a minimum purchase, and if your room is large, you may wish to take advantage of this.

Warning

Most carpet manufacturers will not honor a warranty if you install your own carpet.