How to Install Loose Lay Carpet and Padding

Remove any old carpet or vinyl flooring until the subfloor is exposed. Sweep away any debris so you have a clean surface to work with.

Measure the width and length of the room. Add a few inches to this measurement to factor in any corners, This will give you the approximate size of carpet you will need to cover the floor.

Unroll the carpet in the room where you plan to install it. Let the carpet adjust to the environment for 24 hours. Remove the carpet so you have space to lay out the padding.

Roll out the padding. Cut it to size with a utility knife. If you use strips of padding to cover certain areas, there should be no gaps or overlaps. Roll up the padding.

Find out which carpet adhesive you should use based on the carpet manufacturer's recommendations. Use a trowel to apply the adhesive to the subfloor, according to the adhesive manufacturer's instructions. Roll the padding onto the adhesive and smooth out any wrinkles with a drywall knife. Let the adhesive dry.

Lay the carpet over the padding. Center the carpet so that an equal amount of excess carpet rises up each wall.

Trim the carpet edges with a utility knife. Make V-shaped cuts on inside corners where there is overlapping carpet. Place a heavy object on the carpet to temporarily secure the edges in place. Roll up the carpeting.

Apply carpet adhesive to the padding with a carpet trowel. This will be the same adhesive you used to adhere the padding to the subfloor. Cover about half of the floor. Roll the carpet onto the adhesive. Use a push broom to remove any bumps. Repeat for the other half of the floor.

Roll a 30- to 35-pound carpet roller over the carpet width-wise then length-wise until you smooth out any remaining bumps and the carpet lays smooth. This will also help the carpet adhere better to the adhesive.