How to Install Tackless Strip and Padding

If you want to install carpeting, you have to lay your tackless strip and padding first. This is not as challenging as it seems although it does take a strong back to carry the carpet and padding. To make the finished product look smooth requires just takes a little work around the edges.

Cutting shears
Safety glasses
Broom
Vacume cleaner
Tackless strips
Hammer
Masonry nails or epoxy adhesive
Padding
Staple gun
Utility knife
Duct tape

Instructions

- 1
  Prep before you start. Begin by removing old tack strips if there are any. Sweep and vacuum the floor thoroughly to lift loose dirt. Take doors off and remove the thresholds, if you can, to make the installation easier.
- 2
  Place the pre-cut tackless strips around the entire room to get ready. Make sure that the pins on the tackless strips are facing towards the wall and keep 1/2-inch distance between the wall and the strip.
- 3
  Nail the tackless strips in place and cut corners to fit against one another evenly. If you are going over a concrete floor you will need to use epoxy glue to secure the strips. Do not put any strips in between doorways or open walkways.
- 4
  Unroll padding so that it will be plumb with the direction of the carpet. Place it within the frame of the tackless strips and with your staple gun attach the pad to the floor approximately every 6 inches. If you are on top of concrete, glue the padding down directly to the floor.
- 5
  Pull back on the padding and with the utility knife cut the padding to butt up with the edge of the tackless strips. Carefully cut around doorways and corners to fit the pad as close as possible.
- 6
  Reinforce the seams with duct tape. Apply duct tape on top of the areas where the padding meets to keep if from lifting and separating.

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