How to Install Sisal Carpet

Natural sisal carpet is a generic name for a variety of different carpet types, although sisal is also a type. These are natural plant fiber floor coverings made from hemp, sea-grass, jute, paper, coir and sisal. Sisal carpet comes in 50 different weaves. They have premium leather and suede bindings, blind stitched binding applications and hand sewn mitered corners. Installing sisal carpet follows the same rules as other carpet types.

Things You'll Need

• Carpet gripper
• Underfelt
• Razor knife
• PVA wood glue
• Knee kicker
• Heat tape
• Iron
• Staple gun
• Carpet staples

Instructions

1. Install a carpet gripper on the sub floor. Cut the gripper strip to fit the length of each wall. Use a razor knife. Nail the strips around each wall with a gap between the wall of 1/8-inch. Nail the strip using the nails already fastened to the strip. Make sure the pins point toward the wall. Join the gripper strips at the corners.

2. Lay down an underfelt. Turn the underfelt over and trim it to size with a razor knife. The underfelt does not need to be glued or adhered to the floor. Make sure the seams of the underfelt do not line up with the seams of the carpet.

3. Roll out the sisal carpet in rows. Leave the seams overlapped. Trim off each end at the walls with a heavy duty razor knife. Also cut the overlapping side down the length of each piece so the carpet lays flat.

4. Apply a bead of PVA wood glue along the length of one side of the sisal carpet; underneath. Join the two sides of the sisal together using heat tape. Iron the tape to adhere it to the carpet pieces holding them together.

5. Wait an hour for the seams to dry. Stretch the sisal carpet to the gripper using a knee kicker you can buy, or rent, at any carpet or hardware store.

6. Trim the excess carpet at the ends, and staple the carpet to the gripper using 12mm long staples and a staple gun.

Tips & Warnings

• Spray any creases in the sisal carpet, that do not come out with kicking, with water. It is recommended that you use a 7 pound 100% jute, commercial underfelt with all natural fiber carpets.

• Do not cut the carpet too short at the walls. Leave the carpet long to begin with. When you are finished you can trim it to fit.