How to Install Rubber Back Berber Carpet

Rubber back Berber carpet is an economical choice, especially when carpeting a playroom or basement. Designed for the do-it-yourself homeowner, rubber back Berber carpet has a cushion attached to the carpet backing, which eliminates the need for carpet padding and tack strips during installation. Installing rubber back Berber carpet isn't too complicated; with a few common tools, you can install your rubber back carpet by yourself in a few hours.

Things You'll Need

• Small pry bar
• Hammer
• Tape measure
• Double-sided carpet tape
• Utility knife
• Straight edge
• Transition strip/s (one per doorway)

Instructions

1. Remove the quarter-round molding that is installed on the baseboards of the room's walls using a pry bar to gently pry the quarter round from the baseboard. Number each piece consecutively as you remove it so you know what order in which to reinstall.

2. Measure the width and depth of the room, making sure to measure to the center of any doorways. Add 4 inches to each side; this will be your cutting size for the carpet.

3. Cut the carpet to the measured size using a straight edge to ensure you don't cut crooked.

4. Fold the carpet in half with the carpeted sides facing each other and the rubber backing on the outside.

5. Lay the double-sided tape around the perimeter of the room, then lay it in an X pattern through the middle and from one wall to the other through the center (so it looks like a star pattern). Do not remove the backing from the top side at this time.

6. Move the folded carpet into the room, centering it in one corner with a 4-inch overlap on each side. If you have a wall with no doorways, you can lay the carpet flush with that wall with no overlapping.

7. Remove the protective covering from the double-sided carpet tape on the exposed portion of the room and roll the folded portion of the carpet onto the tape taking care to smooth out all wrinkles as you work.

8. Flip the loose portion of carpet over the installed area and repeat the taping process.

9. Trim the excess carpet from the walls using a straight edge to press the carpet flush to the wall and cutting with a sharp utility knife as you work. Remember to cut the doors to the center of the doorway (or the edge of the opposite floor, if necessary.)

10. Replace the quarter-round molding in the same order in which it was removed.

Tips & Warnings

• Install a metal or wood transition strip in each doorway as per manufacturer's instructions.