How to Install Carpet on a Stairway

Installing carpet on your stairway will introduce a warmer atmosphere in your home. You will also have the pleasure of a padded surface while going up the stairs which is helpful not only for comfort, but if someone was to trip and fall. Consider doing this installation yourself to save money on an installer.

Utility knife
Stapler with staples
Knee kick carpet stretcher
Measuring tape

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the depth of the tread and height of the riser of a step. Add these figures together. For purposes of this article, the depth is 8 inches and the height is 6 inches for a total of 14 inches. Next multiply that figure by each step. For the purposes of this article, assume that you have 10 steps, therefore 10 x 14 inches is 140 inches. Divide by 12 to calculate feet needed for a total of 11 feet 8 inches.
- 2
  Measure the step width. Cut the carpet to this width for the entire length.
- 3
  Place padding on each step. Cut to size with some padding to fold over the nose of the step and staple down to secure, using a staple on each end and three in the middle evenly spaced.
- 4
  Start the carpet installation at the bottom of the staircase. Staple the carpet to the bottom riser, and place over the first step.
- 5
  Use your carpet knee kicker and place the teeth side down on the carpet. Kick the padded part of the stretcher with your knee to tighten the carpet. Staple the carpet at the back of the step.
- 6
  Continue installation using the same method on each step all the way to the top. You are now done with installation on the staircase and are ready for seaming the carpets together.

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