Custom
Carpeted Staircases:
7 Tips for Top Quality Installations
 There
are a few factors that need to be considered prior
to any carpet installation on stairs. Now add
the complexity of a custom designed & fabricated
installation & you have an even bigger challenge.
Are you up for it?
Follow these tips for a smooth
& fearless custom carpeted staircase installation.
First a hypothetical.
I'm going to predict that you
have successfully designed & bid the project.
Your client loved your design & can't wait
to have it installed. You're also getting paid
very well for this installation because you're
one of the few highly trained rug fabricators
in your area. Your client expects to pay for your
expertise & you'll probably earn every penny!
Tip #1 Team
up with a qualified carpet installer. Nearly all
staircase projects will be brokered through a
carpet dealer. There will likely be a full carpet
install & the staircase is just a part of
the whole project. Sit down with the carpet dealer
& installer & iron out the strategy for
the install.
A) What type
of staircase is this? Box stairs, side wrap, spiral,
bullnose or is it a custom staircase?
B) Depending
on the type of staircase & the design you've
created, You may have a simple 'waterfall' installation
where you are installing 3-5 or more steps in
1 piece. This only works if the design is simple
& straight forward - like a border design
- or a stair runner install.
C) When installing
a custom staircase, a spiral staircase, or your
design needs precision placement - lets say you
have a rose on each side that falls exactly on
the tread/step. You'll then need to install each
step seperately.
Tip #2 Make
an exact template of each step. Ideally you would
use the exisiting stair carpet & trace directly
onto the new piece of carpet - remember to have
face fibers down - working from the back. Of course
this implies that your client has approved of
your strategy and has allowed you to 'borrow'
their existing staircase carpet.
The other method is to use
heavy brown paper. You can buy a roll from your
local home improvement store - you'll find it
in the paint section. You can then create stair
templates using the paper and a roll of tape to
piece sections together.
Either method you choose, you'll
need to MARK EACH STEP - first step is #1, next
step is #2 & so on.
Tip #3 Prefabricate
the whole staircase prior to installation, most
improtantly any & all carving & beveling.
You won't have any fun trying to bevel your design
after the carpet is installed, in fact, it's darn
near impossible.
Tip #4 Give
yourself an extra 1 inch of carpet all around
the perimeter of each side. This will give you
a little breathing room in lining up your step
during the install. This excess carpet will be
trimmed off during the installation.
Tip #5 Be
there for the install. Be prepared for any last
minute additions or adjustments. Have extra carpet
on hand. Have all of your tools available.
Tip #6 Avoid
design elements on the pivot point of the tread
& riser. Horizontal seams can open & 'grin'
- it's not very attractive. Center your designs
on the tread & on the riser. Random designs
are fine too, just be aware of where they land
during the install.
Tip #7 Use
double-wide tackless strip on the treads. This
can help anchor down the carpet if you have a
stubborn piece to work with.
 Yes,
some staircase projects are easier to install
than others. Ultimately you are in the drivers
seat during the design phase. If you're thinking
ahead during the design phase & you have a
strategy in place, then you can avoid unnecessary
surprises.
Let's recap:
Plan your design with ease of installation in
mind. Avoid any horizontal seams on the tread
and riser pivot points. Create templates for each
step and number sequentially. Prefabricate your
stairs prior to install, do as much work off site
as you can. Work with the best installation crew
that you can. Be prepared for any last minute
adjustments during the install.
In the end, if you've focused
on creating a quality product, you're client will,
no doubt, be amazed and impressed with their new
custom carpeted staircase.
© 2007 Russell Webb
- Back to Article Zone -
|
