How to Lay Carpet Guide

Carpets are a simple and affordable way to improve the comfort of a property. 

They are a popular choice amongst property owners, and it’s easy to see why. There are a number of big benefits to investing in carpets, including their ability to improve the heat and comfort of a room, their durability, and their huge variety of design styles. 

Plus, believe it or not, carpets are also surprisingly easy to install - even if you’re a relative DIY newbie. 

To help you see how straightforward this process is, our flooring experts have shared their step by step guide to carpet laying.  

A step by step guide to laying carpet

You will need the following equipment: 

  • Your chosen carpet
  • Measuring tape
  • Carpet knife (or sharp utility knife)
  • Underlay
  • Staple gun / carpet glue
  • Carpet stretching tool (such as a power stretcher)
  • Carpet grippers 
  • Hammer and nails
  • Gloves 
  • Eye protection

 

The process of laying carpet

1. Prepare the subfloor

To start the process, empty the room and clean and prepare the subfloor (we’ve provided more detail on this step below)

2. Measure the room

Measure the dimensions of your room and calculate how much carpet you will require. Then, cut the carpet to the required size. When cutting the carpet, ensure that you leave enough surplus material for the carpet to overlap the tack strips (by 5-10mm)

3. Set the carpet grippers

Fix the carpet grippers in place, they should be covering the full perimeter set 5cm away from the skirting board

4. Place and secure the underlay

Lay the underlay in the room, and staple or glue it in place, following the carpet grippers. Make sure that the underlay is even and taught

5. Place and secure the carpet

Then, lay the carpet in the room. As with the underlay, make sure that the carpet aligns with the tack strips, and ensure that the overhang is equal across the room

6. Stretch and trim the carpet

Stretch the carpet so that it is tight and even along the tack strips, using a knee kicker

Answering your most common questions about laying carpet

Below, we’ve also shared our experts’ answers to your most common carpet questions.

How do you measure to fit a carpet?

You need to measure the widest part and the longest part of the room ensuring they go into all doorways and alcoves.

To calculate the room’s total area (m²), multiply the length and width together. 

When it comes to ordering your carpet, we recommend adding an additional 10cm to this total. This is to account for any off cuts, wastages, or other issues, and ensure that you don’t under order.

Carpets come in set lengths, for example: 4 metres or 5 metres. So if the length of your roof is 4.5 metres, you will need a 5 metre carpet.

Do you need an underlay for carpet?

An underlay isn’t a requirement for carpets. But, it does offer a number of benefits.  

An underlay is a thin layer of material that can be positioned underneath most types of flooring, including carpets. 

These are designed to extend the lifespan of carpets, reduce the impact of daily wear and tear, make the carpet more comfortable, reduces noise, and improve the insulation of the room. So, they are a great way to maximise the return of your investment.

How to prepare and clean your floor for laying carpet

Firstly, remove any old flooring, so that the subfloor is completely bare. 

You will also need to ensure that your subfloor is free from cracks or holes. If you do spot any damage, use a floor levelling compound to repair any subfloor issues. Once the compound has been applied, be sure to sand down any raised areas, to keep the finish even. 

Finally, sweep the flooring area thoroughly, ensuring that any dust, dirt and general debris is removed. This way, the surface is left completely smooth and even, ensuring a flawless finish for the fitted carpet.  

Can you have underfloor heating with a carpet?

Yes, you can have underfloor heating with carpet. 

Underfloor heating and carpets are a highly popular combination, as they help to further improve both the thermal efficiency of the room and the comfort of the carpet.  

But, if you do choose to invest in underfloor heating, make sure your chosen underlay is compatible with underfloor heating. Otherwise, it could impede the heat transfer, and so decrease the underfloor heating’s efficiency. For the same reason, you should also ensure your choice of carpet is not too thick.

If you’re looking to find the most efficient and effective carpet for underfloor heating, the Floor Giants team is on hand to help.

Can you lay carpet on top of concrete?

Yes, you can lay carpet on top of concrete. 

In fact, laying carpet on top of a concrete subfloor is a very common solution. But, if your subfloor is made of concrete, adding an underlay is highly recommended. Otherwise, the concrete can compromise the comfort and warmth of the finished carpet.

So, if you’re keen to find out more about the benefits of different flooring options, or to purchase luxury carpets for your upcoming renovation project, the Floor Giants team is here to help.

At Floor Giants, we offer a wide selection of luxury carpets, in a huge variety of design styles - available to buy online or from one of our many UK stores.

So, if you have any further questions about carpets or flooring, contact our friendly team, we are on hand to help.