How to Tape Carpet Edging

Carpet edging used to be done solely by professionals with sewing machines made specifically for applying edge-binding tape to carpets. The results were usually professional and long lasting. With the advent of home improvement centers and carpet warehouses, an increasing number of homeowners choose to install carpeting themselves. This works well until you run across a section of floor or stairway that requires binding. Luckily, there is an alternative to machine binding exposed edges. Carpet binding tape is available in a variety of colors and requires little experience or extra equipment to install.

Utility knife
Straight edge
Binding tape
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Short piece of board

Instructions

- 1
  Make a straight, even cut on the edge to be bound. Binding tape will look only as good as the edge of the carpet you start with. Make a fresh cut along the edge of the carpet with a utility knife using a straight edge as a guide.
- 2
  Cut a section of binding tape the length of the edge you wish to bind. Remove the paper tape covering the edging’s adhesive strip. Use scissors to make a fresh square cut on the end of the strip.
- 3
  Position the decorative edge of the binding tape against the edge of the carpet. Press the adhesive strip in place on the carpet backing.
- 4
  Apply a small bead of hot glue, no more than 6 inches long on the face of the carpet in the gap between the carpet’s edge and the decorative edge of the binding.
- 5
  Press and hold the freshly glued edges together with a board. Allow the glue to cool for a few moments before moving to the next section.
- 6
  Continue applying glue and pressing the seam together until you have reached the end of your seam.

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