How is Carpet Fitted? A Step-by-Step Guide

Ever watched a carpet fitter and wondered what they are doing? Professional fitting is an art that ensures your carpet stays flat for years. Here is the process.

1. Subfloor Prep: The floor must be clean and dry. Any loose floorboards are screwed down to stop squeaks.

2. Gripper Rods: Thin strips of wood with angled nails are nailed around the perimeter of the room (except doorways). These hook the carpet and hold it under tension.

3. Underlay: The underlay is rolled out and stapled or taped down. It stops just short of the grippers.

4. The Cut: The carpet is rolled out and roughly cut to size, allowing excess up the walls.

5. The Stretch: This is the crucial part. The fitter uses a 'Knee Kicker' or 'Power Stretcher' to hook the carpet onto the grippers on one side, then stretch it tightly across the room to hook onto the opposite grippers. This tension stops ripples forming later.

6. Cutting In: The excess carpet is trimmed neatly with a sharp hook blade and tucked into the gap between the gripper and the skirting board for a neat finish.

7. Door Bars: A metal strip (threshold strip) is screwed into the doorway to cover the join between the carpet and the next room's flooring.