How to Redo Stairs With Carpet
Stairs can be cold during the winter when the temperature drops and the wood on the stairs absorbs the cool air. To add a little warmth and cushioning to your stairs you can put down a carpet runner that covers each step. A colorful carpet can accent certain decorations in the room or create its own ambiance; the choice is yours. Proper installation in the beginning prevents premature wear to the carpet, prevents snags in the carpet that can trip you and prevents material waste. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Tackless strips
- Tin snips
- Hammer
- Nails
- Carpet padding
- Utility knife
- Stapler
- 9/16 inch staples
- Runner
- Putty knife
- Rubber mallet
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Instructions
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1
Measure the width of the staircase. Buy a runner with a smaller width than the width of the stairs, keeping in mind how much of the stairs you want to cover with the carpet. Runners are available from most carpet stores.
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2
Cut tackless strips that are two inches shorter than the width of the runner using tin snips.
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3
Place the tackless strips towards the back of each stair. Hammer a nail one inch from each end through the strip and into the stairs.
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4
Cut pieces of carpet padding that are equal in width to the tackless strip and three inches longer than the stair tread (the step itself).
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5
Place the carpet padding onto the tackless strip. Staple it onto the strip using 9/16 inch staples every three inches or so.
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6
Pull the carpet padding tight over the front of the tread and staple it to the underside of the step every three inches.
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7
Cut the carpet runner using a straight edge and a utility knife to make it the right size. Apply latex carpet glue to the cut edges to prevent fraying.
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8
Place the end of the carpet riser at the bottom of the step, just touching the floor. Unroll the riser up three or four steps. Staple the runner to the bottom of the stairs every three inches.
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9
Push down the runner onto the tackless strip on the first step. Stretch the carpet towards the strip using a knee kicker. Staple the carpet into place, once taut, every three inches.
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10
Place a putty knife between the carpet and the riser of the stair and hit it with a rubber mallet to make it taught. Staple two inches above the tackless strip to make the carpet taut. Repeat Steps 9 and 10 to the top of the steps.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
