How to Install Double Stick Carpet

Preparation

• 1

  Purchase the right amount of carpet. Measure the length and width of the room (include closets, columns and cabinets in the overall measurement.) Multiply length by width to arrive at the total square footage and then add another 10 percent to assure there is enough carpet for the room. For example, a room measuring 15 feet by 12 feet has a total of 180 square feet of space. Multiply 180 by .10 to arrive at an extra 18 feet. Add 180 and 18 for a total of 196 square feet.

• 2

  Start at one corner of the room and unroll the double-stick tape around the perimeter of the room. Leave the protective backing on the top of the tape but remove one side of the backing to adhere it to the floor. Every two feet, place an additional 6-inch by 6-inch "X" of tape on the floor next to the perimeter tape. Leave the face up backing on this tape but adhere it to the floor. Start placing the X's two feet from one corner and work around the edge of the room.

• 3

  Cut the carpet using a metal straight edge and carpet knife. Use the measurements taken earlier for length and width. Add an additional three inches to each edge for accuracy when trimming. For example, a room measuring 15 feet by 12 feet should be cut at 15 feet, 6 inches by 12 feet, 6 inches. Cut the carpet on a concrete surface like a clean garage floor, patio or driveway. Roll the carpet up to carry it to the installation room.

• 4

  Carry the roll of carpet into the installation room and place one edge against a wall. Make sure the cut carpet is placed correctly for width and length. Line up the edge of the carpet along the wall making sure that the extra three inches rolls up the side of the wall.

Installation

• 5

  Pull the carpet away from the wall and peel away the protective covering on the tape. Push the carpet down on to the tape leaving the three inches up the side of the wall. Use the metal straight edge if necessary to push the carpet into place.

• 6

  Unroll the carpet a few feet. Remove the protective tape covering along the perimeter and at the X's and press the carpet into place. Stop after a few feet and notice the corners for a moment, they should have excess carpet at them.

• 7

  Cut a "V" in the carpet corners using the carpet knife to remove the excess and to create the corner. Start with a small V and deepen it as needed to get the best result.

• 8

  Continue to unroll the carpet, peel away the tape backing as the carpet is unrolled and press it into place until the carpet is completely unrolled. Use a carpet roller to flatten the carpet into place against the tape --- put a strong helper to work with this task as the carpet is unrolled and pressed into place.

• 9

  Use the metal straight edge and carpet knife and move to the center of the original starting wall. Place the metal edge parallel to the wall where the floor and wall meet, and push it against the wall and down on the carpet. Use the carpet knife to trim away the excess carpet by placing the knife between the wall and the straight edge.