How to Finish Carpet Covered Stair Treads

Staircase carpeting is installed either as a runner, as a tread-only covering, or as a covering for all of the stair surfaces. Staircase runners cover the tread and riser’s center portion, leaving the outer edges uncovered. Carpeting that covers the complete tread surface does not extend to the risers and must be tucked around and under the tread’s bull nose. Finishing carpeted staircase treads requires some carpet laying skill and a few basic tools.

Tackless strips
Hammer
Nails
Carpet
Putty knife

Instructions

- 1
  Install one tackless strip across each star riser’s bottom with the tacks pointing toward the rear of the stair. Use hammer and nails to fasten the tackless in place. Install a second strip across the rear of each stair tread with the tacks facing the tread’s rear. These strips serve as the carpeting’s main anchors.
- 2
  Attach the staircase carpeting to the tackless strips across the upper landing’s back edge. Pull the carpet toward the step’s front and tuck it over the bull nose’s front edge. Driving staples into the bull nose’s underside fastens the carpet in place.
- 3
  Continue pulling on the carpet and drive staples into the riser at the corner formed with the bull nose’s back edge. Stretch the carpet and attach it to the first tackless strip. Force the carpet with your putty knife into the corner formed by the riser’s bottom edge and the next tread.
- 4
  Press the carpet into the second strip of tackless. Repeat the process on each step.

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