How to Finish Carpet

Finishing carpet is a term professional carpet installers use to describe the completion of carpet edges. Professionals often use an edge finisher call a "z bar," which is a metal instrument that closes against the carpet. The z bar looks like a z, with tacks on one end that hold the carpet in place. The top part of the z then closes against the carpet to hold it into place. You can purchase a z bar at a local home supply center or a carpet supply store.

Hacksaw
Hammer
Nails, 3/4 inch
Z bar
Rubber mallet

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the carpet edge with a tape measure to determine the needed length of the z bar. Cut the z bar with a hacksaw if necessary to make it fit into the space.
- 2
  Pull the carpet past the z bar location, allowing for 1 inch of excess carpet to attach into the z bar.
- 3
  Attach the z bar to the subfloor by hammering 3/4-inch nails into the subfloor. Use appropriate nails for your subfloor; nails have separate ratings for concrete and wood.
- 4
  Fold the excess carpet underneath the larger carpet piece. Place the fold carefully into the open z bar.
- 5
  Hammer down the z bar onto the folded carpet with a rubber mallet. Hammer lightly to not over-bend the z bar onto the carpet.

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