Can I Put a Carpet Down on Concrete Flooring?

Tackstrips and Double-Sided Carpet Tape

• As with installing carpet over a wood floor, carpeting over concrete also requires tackstrips. Tackstrips are narrow strips of wood that feature several rows of angled tacks. Unlike the strips used for wood floors, tackstrips for concrete floors are slightly wider and typically feature three rows of tacks rather than two. Cut the tackstrips and arrange the strips along the perimeter of the floor with the tacks pointing towards the wall. Drill holes through the strips with a masonry drill bit and drive masonry nails into the floor through the holes. The underlying carpet pad is stapled into wooden floors to prevent it from sliding, but staples will not penetrate concrete. Instead, double-sided carpet tape is used. Position tape strips along the entire edge of the tackstrips and in "X" configurations over the middle sections of floor.

Laying the Carpet Padding

• If you intend to lay cushioned-backed carpeting over the concrete floor, no carpet padding is necessary. All other types of carpet should have a separate layer of carpet padding, which can increase cushioning and extend the life of the carpet. Roll the padding across the entire length of the floor. The padding around the edges of the floor must rest against the edges of the tackstrips. Make sure that the edges of the middle padding section(s) rest firmly against the edges of the outer pieces to provide a tight seam. Press the padding into the double-sided tape firmly to secure the padding to the floor and trim any excess padding with a utility knife. Finally, tape down the seams between the padding pieces with duct tape to prevent them from lifting and overlapping.

Installing the Carpet

• Initially, the process of installing carpet is similar to installing padding, though the carpet is considerably heavier. Get help carrying large rolls, or if installing only a single piece of carpet, consider rolling the carpet out in a more convenient area and carrying the trimmed pieces into the installation area. When cutting the carpeting, leave about 3 inches of excess carpet on each side. It is better to trim the carpet after stretching it than to later discover that the carpet piece is too small. Tighten the carpet towards the tackstrips with a knee kicker or power stretcher tool, then press the carpet into the tackstrips and trim away the excess.

Carpet Types

• Selecting an appropriate carpet material can prolong the lifespan of the carpet and may even save you money. Nylon carpet is easy to clean, offers excellent resistance to staining and is quite durable, which makes it an excellent choice for concrete floors. However, it does tend to fade in direct sunlight. Consider polyester carpet for direct sunlight. As with nylon carpet, polyester is also easy to clean, is resistant to staining and is durable. Olefin carpet is a good choice where moisture is a concern and resists fading, but is not as durable as nylon and polyester. Acrylic carpet closely resembles wool and also resists moisture well, but should not be used where durability is important. Finally, wool carpet is perhaps the most luxurious carpet material and is a durable material, but does not resist staining well and can be expensive.