The Cutting Process of Carpets

Know Your Carpet

• Different types of carpet have different procedures for cutting. Cut-pile carpeting that has its threads cut and standing open, such as a shag carpet, should be cut from the back. Carpets where the pile loops and has no ends exposed to the surface are cut from the front of the carpet. The actual materials of the carpet do not impact the cutting process.

Start Big

• Take accurate measurements of the room but cut the carpet about 6 inches larger in each direction. This allows for trimming the carpet to size in the room. Make the original cut for the larger size in a large open area. In some cases these cuts are made by unrolling the carpet in the garage or driveway. If the carpet will be installed throughout the entire house, start with the smaller rooms and use the largest room as a work area for cutting the carpet.

Trim To Size

• After placing the carpet in the room, stretch it onto the tack strips on the perimeter of the room. Use a utility knife and straightedge to trim the carpet to fit against the wall. These small strips of carpet are waste and should be removed from the area.

Tools and Equipment

• A sharp utility knife or carpet knife is crucial to the process of cutting carpet. Also necessary is a straightedge, a flat metal piece used to push the carpet into the corner while making trim cuts. A tape measure and marking pens are also required. Installing the carpet requires the additional tools of a stretcher or knee kicker to stretch the carpet onto the tack strips along the wall.