How to Install Carpet on Wood

Carpeting can add depth and style to the home

• 1

  Remove any old carpet. Start by pulling it up from the corners with the edge of a screwdriver. Remove any old tack strips and pull any staples in the wood out with pliers. Vacuum the floor and wash it with the mop and allow to dry.

• 2

  Measure the area using a measuring tape. Then, draw a paper diagram of the room and all of the dimensions. Purchase new carpet with at least four inches to spare on each side.

• 3

  Put down the new carpet tackless strips on the floor and hammer or staple them in. They should end about an inch from the wall and be about 12-14 inches apart from one another.

• 4

  Lay the carpet pad down in panels. Arrange it so that the pad can be secured on the tackless strips. Lay the pad over the strips so that the edges butt up against one another. Don't let the carpet pad sections overlap. Staple the padding on the tackless strips. Trim any excess along the edges of the area.

• 5

  Roll out the carpeting starting on one side of the room. Position it in a corner and place the carpet kicker on the carpet. Lean on the head (the end with teeth) of the carpet kicker with your hand and use your opposite knee to push it as hard as possible against the wall. The carpet kicker will stretch the carpet out and force it to hook onto the tackless strips. Repeat this down the wall until the entire wall has had the carpet "kicked" into it.

• 6

  Continue laying the carpet in the manner described above. Line up additional strips of carpet so that they meet up with the already-laid pieces completely. Kick in all of the edges of the room and check to make sure the carpet is secure there and on all of the tackless trips. Trim any edges of the carpet that stick up from the sides of the floor.