Karastan Installation

Sweep the entire sub-floor free of debris and dust.

Measure the length and width of the room. Multiply the length times the width for the total area. Add the length and width together and double the number for the circumference of the area. Measure any additional areas such as closets, alcoves or doorways. Add these measurements to the area and circumference. Purchase enough carpet and padding to cover the entire area. Purchase enough tackless strips to go around the entire circumference.

Unroll the carpet in a well-ventilated area. Use a fan to blow any of the chemical vapors from the carpet. This “out-gassing” removes the smell and harmful chemicals. Let the carpet "out gas" for at least 24 hours.

Lay tackless strips along the base of the wall all around the room. The tacks on the strip slightly slant in one direction. Lay each strip so that the tacks point toward the wall. Use a nail gun to secure the strips in place.

Lay the carpet padding directly on the sub-flooring. Staple the padding in place every 8 inches. Cut the padding around the edge of the wall, keeping the tackless strip exposed.

Lay the carpet in the room. Press one edge of the carpet into the tackless strip on one wall. This becomes Edge A.

Power stretch the carpet across the room, stretching the carpet toward the wall opposite Edge A. The power stretcher uses a series of small points to pull the carpet, stretching it across the room. When stretched, attach the second edge to the tackless strip. Pound this side in place with a rubber mallet to secure the edge.

Repeat steps 6 and 7 with the width of the carpet. Karastan recommends stretching their carpets in all directions during installation.

Stretch the carpet into the corners of the room with a knee kicker. Like the power stretcher, the knee kicker has a series of points that grab the edge of the carpet. Press the opposite end of the tool with your knee to stretch the carpet into the corner. Secure the edges with the mallet.

Trim the edges with the edge trimmer at the base of the wall.

Lay the quarter-round edging. Load the nail gun with finishing nails and secure the edging in place with a finishing nail every 18 inches.