installing carpet on stairs

For other tips and money saving-principals, visit: http://www.kittellian.com This is a DIY guide to installing carpet on bull-nose stair treads, and using trim to cover the risers of the stairs. It's a classier look than full carpet, and safer than hardwood stairs.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• carpet
• stairs
• treads
• bullnose
• diy
• do-it-yourself
• stairwell
• tackstrip
• knee
• kicker
• staples

[madbartender100]

I definitely like the look. Though I never use strip underneath either. It works for ur application. Only thing I wonder is it looks like some mighty expensive pad to be using on steps. Sub floor heat? But hey if u had extra use it up! Stuff is pricey! I'm guessing about fifteen stairs? U saved ur self around 50 bucks!

[diy4once]

@madbartender100 Actually, I calculated the remnant from the two rooms the professionals did, and knew it would be enough for the stairs. By stopping their quote at the rooms, I spared myself by not having to pay for the carpet (and pad) they would have measured out for the stairs, and their installation price (which was like 20 bucks a stair = insane). So I let them finish their job and finished what I felt comfortable doing on my own...which was pretty easy. And that expensive pad was remnant.

[diy4once]

@madbartender100 AND, you're totally right on not using the tack strip under the bullnose. I ended up cutting the ball off a ball-peen (dear flamers, I know it's also spelled pein) hammer in order to get enough swing to drive in the nails. It sucked. I'll staple it next time.

[kllklklklklklklklklk]

Looks like you did a nice job. However you made a couple of mistakes....

First. You never ever cut the underpad flush with the nosing. Padding must go over the nosing and be stapled to the front of the tread. Not doing this causes premature wear on the nosing and the edge of the pad shows after a few months..Second, just staple the carpet under the nosing and stretch to the top. Tack strip under the nosing is unnecessary. Also, never staple carpet to the tackless afterwards...

[diy4once]

@kllklklklklklklklklk The edges still look great. We're fortunate to have a no-shoes policy in our house, and the stairs are rarely used. But your point is well taken. That pad was really thick, and bending it around the nose was going to suck. And I was afraid that it would increase the surface area which would use up more carpet than I had in my remnant roll to make it through the stairs without having to order more.

[diy4once]

It has been two years since these went in, and I have experienced no negative issues with the carpet coming up, or the risers popping out. The only annoyance would be the black marks I got on the white risers when I aggressively vacuumed the treads with a shop vac. Now I'm just more careful when I vacuum the stairs. I still can't speak to damage from shoes scuffs, as we do not wear them in the house.

Thanks for the positive comments, so happy to help.

[diy4once]

@kalomark... next time type "you're an idiot". Typos undermine the effectiveness of your intellectual superiority.

[chrisphoto88]

@diy4once

I want to say a heart felt thanks!! for weekend DIY with very limited skills and a wife with a a very fine eye, you made me look like a hero. No idea why you receive a negative comment. My job came out top notch. After following your 8 minutes of briliance, I think the look exceeds fully carpeted stairs that would have taken an ametuer like me a week to be acceptable to the woman of the house. Rock on.

[tubethatshitout]

awesome finish...i was wondering what to do whit my downstair..i think i just find it!!! tahnk you very much for this!!! good job!!

[jennylj5]

We are looking for ideas on how to re-carpet our stairs leading to the basement. We've never done it before & this is the first video I've seen on how to & it looks Great!...Thank You! We are definitely doing this!

[1964foulon]

I will be doing this with my stairs also, but instead of MDF on the risers I will be putting bead board. My house is 110 years old and the bead board fits the decor better. Thanks for the great video.

[MaskedMoto]

@diy4once since you didn't attach the risers at all you could just pull them off and give them a good scrub or even slap a coat of paint on it to make it look clean again. Great video, thanks!

[gazag1976]

dont need to hire a knee kicker for stairs put it tight with your hands , have been doing it this way for 18 years

[exceptionalfloor]

Visit jeanscarpet.webs.com for save money in installation

[Insidapc]

Thanks for the video and helpful comments!

[kllklklklklklklklklk]

@sonicvictory .....After reading your comment, it's not me that does not sound like an installer. Basically you are admitting that the way I said is better, but you don't bother because you don't give a shit. Wow, can I get your number so I can pass it along.

Thanks but I won't be taking advice from you on this.

[sonicvictory]

Yah nice. I like it when people dont go generic. I like the effect. Actually I did a staircase like that once. It was an open on 1 side spindled set o stairs and circular. I checkered the carpet seamed every step . 1 side blue the other red. So that looking down gave it a checkered effect. And my cousin the owner put mirror risers. It was definately different and the living room was seamed a 4 square red and blue checker as well.

[sonicvictory]

@madbartender100 Also, you come down hardest on steps and would want the best underlay there.