How to Lay a Stair Carpet Runner

Measure the width of the stair runner. Measure the distance of the stair tread. Subtract the runner width from the tread width and divide the resulting number by two.

Measure the resulting number out from the wall on each tread, and mark the spot with a pencil. Measure the number in from the banister on each tread, and mark the spot.

Cut tackless carpet strip to 2 inches shorter than the width of the carpet using sheet-metal snips. Cut one for each tread.

Place one tread in the center of each stair so the pins are angled toward the riser above. Nail the treads into place, placing one nail every 3 to 4 inches.

Use the carpenter's knife to cut a piece of carpet padding for each tread. Make the padding the same width as the tackless carpet strips. They should also be 3 inches longer than the tread.

Lay the pad on the stair tread so the edge is against the tackless strip. Use 9/16-inch staples in a staple gun to fasten the carpet pads to the tread. Put one staple every 3 inches along the top of the pad, then tighten the pad over the nose of the tread and put one staple every 3 inches on the underside of the nose. Cut off the padding at the tread-riser joint.

Turn the runner over and lay it on a flat surface with the wrong side facing you. Trace a straight edge on the top and bottom of the runner, 1/2 inch from the edge, using a carpenter's square. Cut at the pencil line with a carpenter's knife, and put a bead of latex carpet glue along the edge. Let it dry as instructed on the package.

Turn the carpet back over. Place the runner on the stairs, lining it up with the marks you already made. Hold it in place on the bottom riser, where the riser and the floor meet. Staple the runner at the bottom of the runner, placing a staple every 3 inches.

Push the runner toward the tackless strip on the first tread with your hand. Place a knee kicker in the center of the runner, 2 inches from the strip. Push it with your knee until the runner attaches to the strip. Move the kicker 3 inches to the left of center and repeat, and then 3 inches to the right of center and repeat. Continue every 3 inches to the end of the runner, rotating sides.

Place a carpet wedge or tool in the crease where the riser meets the top of the first tread. Tap the tool gently with a mallet along the crease. Use the staple gun to place a staple 1 inch from the edge of each tackless strip, in the crease.

Repeat the securing of the runner to each tackless strip with the kicker, and the securing of the crease with the mallet and staples. Staple the edges of the runner to each riser, 2 inches from the bottom of each riser.