Most often, carpet flooring is installed on stairs using the waterfall technique. This technique is self-explanatory. One piece of carpet is fitted and cut and then allowed to cascade down the steps. The French Cap, also called cap and band, is a professional installation method that gives stairs a more refined look.
Starting from the top step, align the carpet piece according to your measurements and secure into the gripper with your carpet bolster. Press the carpet into the gripper with the bolster, by hand at first, starting in the middle of the stair then working out to each side.
Carpet stair treads: are individual pieces of carpeting that are designed fit over each stair step. They are typically installed using adhesive tape or glue and provide added safety and comfort to the staircase.
Whenever you install new carpet, you should also install new carpet padding. Carpet and carpet padding comes in fixed widths. Depending on the measurements of your room, you may have to lay more than one piece of padding or carpet in a room. The places where those pieces meet are called seams.
Look for individual carpet stair treads that you can place on that bottom step. They come with a non-slip backing, so you won't need to secure them with quarter-rounds. Plus, they're easy to install and remove if you decide to switch up the look.
One piece of carpet is fitted and cut and then allowed to cascade down the steps. The French Cap, also called cap and band, is a professional installation method that gives stairs a more refined look. Carpet is cut for each step and folded over the end of the stair to create a ledge.
Gripper rods - are strips of wood with pointed nails or tacks protruding from them. They are often used along the edges of the runner to hold it in place. The tacks grip the runner and keep it from shifting. Staples: Staples can be used to secure the runner to the stair treads and risers.
Stairs. If you are carpeting a whole multi-story house, or if the room has a small flight of stairs, you should expect the project to take longer. Small stairs with a few steps can take an extra 30 minutes, while an entire flight of stairs may take an hour or longer to do.
Most carpet installers will install the baseboards before the carpet. This is why it's important to measure thickness and find the appropriate height gap. Even though you can install baseboards after carpet, it's a cleaner, faster process if you install them beforehand.
The average price of fitting a carpet is between £18 to £25 per hour. From the average carpet fitting cost in the UK to the carpet fitting cost per m2 for different carpet types and underlays, here's everything you need to know. Please note that all price estimates are accurate as of 2024.
Stairs Carpet Cost
On average, it should cost around £80 – £120 to fit a carpet on an average set of straight stairs. This cost can increase if you have a different type of staircase or if you need underlay.
The two most durable carpet types suitable for stairs include Berber and cut and loop pile carpets: Berber Carpet: Material: Typically made from nylon, wool, or olefin (polypropylene). Loop style: Characterized by tight, dense loops that are uncut.
A Hollywood installation method is where the carpet is tacked down directly onto the staircase and wrapped around the edge of the tread. In fact, the carpet is stapled under the nose of the stair itself giving the staircase a crisp tailored look.
The staircase is one of the busiest areas of the home. To withstand the high levels of footfall and protect your new carpet, a high-quality underlay is essential.
The average cost to install carpeting on stairs is $14 to $36 per step. This is $11 to $26 extra compared to the cost of carpeting floors due to the extra cutting, tack strips, and shape configuration. Most homes have between 13 to 16 steps per staircase, depending on the length of it.
Safety: Carpeted stairs tend to offer better traction and reduce the likelihood of slipping or falling, especially in comparison to laminate stairs. Comfort: Carpeting adds a soft and cushioned surface underfoot, making the stairs more comfortable to walk on, especially for bare feet or in colder months.
Baseboards do not have to be removed to install carpet. In fact, many carpet installers choose to leave baseboards on during the carpet installation process. At the same time, you can also choose to install new baseboards before installing carpet.
Flooring Hardboard for smoothing uneven floorboards or wood floors before laying kitchen and bathroom vinyl flooring or carpets. Pre shrunk sheets of flooring hardboard underlayment for smoothing uneven floorboards prior to installing vinyl flooring or carpets.
Base Board First!
It's definitely an easy thing for installers if carpet first. However, that is not the best for you. You will be replacing the old carpet someday. Now you already have the baseboard installed on the top of the carpet, you will have to remove them to pull up the old carpet.
Wrap the carpet pad around the front edge of the steps and down the riser. Smooth and stretch the pad, so it fits tightly against the tread and riser, then staple it to the riser. You'll need to make a template and cut the carpet to fit when all the padding is attached.
Afterward, the installer will stretch the carpet wall to wall, ensuring a snug fit. Finally, the installer will trim the edges and vacuum to remove any remaining debris, leaving a polished finish. Professional carpet installation not only makes a room look elegant but also enhances the aesthetic of your entire home.
Lowe's offers two types of carpet availability: in stock and special order sales. In-stock carpet is available on the same day with installation offered in as little as 72 hours. Special Order (SOS) carpet may take up to two weeks to deliver and additional time to install. Express SOS Install styles are also available.
If you'd like to have a stair runner but aren't able to tackle this project yourself, The Home Depot offers carpet installation services.
Options such as nylon or wool are typically the best choices for stair carpets, as they're known for their resilience and ability to withstand heavy use.