Methods of Tacking Down Carpet at a Doorway

Simple Threshold Bar

• Threshold bars exist for the express purpose of joining carpets and doorways. Two basic types of threshold bars exist: the simple threshold bar and the double threshold bar. Simple threshold bars contain a flat piece that affixes to the floor and a curved piece that fits against a door threshold. The end of the carpet fits into the curved piece to prevent it from sticking up at the doorway. The flat portion of a simple threshold bar is textured to grip the bottom of the carpet, which prevents slippage.

Double Threshold Bar

• A double threshold bar works like a simple threshold bar, but possesses the capability to hold two carpets in place. Each double threshold bar contains an extended flat piece to fit on each side of a door threshold, and another piece that sticks straight up from the middle of the flat part. The piece that sticks straight up contains a hollow area on each side that holds carpets in the same way as the curved part of a simple threshold bar. These bars exist to bridge two rooms with separate carpets. Like simple threshold bars, double threshold bars are textured on the flat part to hold carpets in place.

Tacks

• Tacks provide an alternative solution to threshold bars for affixing carpets to floors. Tacks work in any situation -- not just for doorways. Two types of tacking exist for carpets: tack strips and straight tacking. Tack strips contain tacks on the top side and tape on the bottom side. The tape affixes to the floor while the tacks grip the carpet and hold it in place. Straight tacking constitutes nothing more than purchasing carpet tacks and driving them through a carpet into the floor with a hammer or tack gun.

Tape

• Double-sided tape affixes carpets to floors without the need for sharp, potentially dangerous objects like tacks or the involved installation of threshold bars. Purchase double-sided carpet tape from hardware stores or use double-sided duct tape. Tacking carpets down with tape requires nothing more than applying a layer of tape to the perimeter of the carpet and securing it to the floor by pushing down. Though tape requires little effort, it also provides the shortest-lasting solution of all carpet tacking methods.