DIY Network

Staircase Carpet Runner Installation From "DIY to the Rescue" episode DTTR-309F

With the new balusters in place, there's one part of the staircase project left to complete: making the stair surface non-slip. For this, a local contractor shows Kay Bird the proper way to lay a non-slip carpet pad to the treads, followed by a stylish Oriental carpet runner.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

• First, an installation professional installs a non-slip carpet pad on the tread (figure A). Because the tread width of the Birds' staircase is 36", the carpet pad is cut to 22" wide and will be covered by a 24" wide carpet runner.

• Next, the runner is positioned over the pad and stapled into place. First, the carpet runner is stapled under the lip of each stair (figure B) to hide the staples.

• To give the carpet runner a tight, professional appearance, a carpet stretcher is used to pull the carpet taut (figure C) while being stapled into place.

• A tool called a spoon is used with a hammer to tap the carpet into the corner of each stair.

• Finally, brass carpet stays are used the base of each stair (figure D) to give the carpet runner an elegant appearance, while keeping the runner in place.

Cost of Professional Installation = $3,600
Cost of Materials = $2,450
Amount Saved by Doing It Yourself = $1,150