Carpet installed on your hardwood stairwell can yield this section of your home a cozy, comfortable feel. More importantly, carpeted stairs are safer and less partial to causing a slip and fall down the stairs.

If you have ever thought about carpeting your steps on your own, you may be astounded to know that putting in carpet on steps is a very effortless operation that most people can do. And even though installing carpet on the stairs may not be as energizing as shopping for tropical wall hangings or wall decor art, doing so can save you hundreds of dollars over hiring a professional installer.

The biggest aspect that must be adhered to when putting in carpet is to take precise measurements. In fact, this is the beginning step. No matter what style you care to use for this chore, you want to begin with the right set of measurements to get you on the correct track. For the purposes of this article, we will discuss the “waterfall” method of carpeting installation. This technique of installation is best suited for steps that are uniformly constructed in both height and width. Let’s look at how to take precise measurements when practicing this technique of carpet installation.

Measure the width of the entire staircase

Your first measurement will be of the width of the whole stairway. Stairways that are uniformly sized will only require that you measure the breadth at the stair’s widest part. Position one end of a standard measuring tape at one end, and then measure crossways the breadth of the step to the other end. Make a note of the measurement and keep in mind that adding in two to four inches of carpet as an allowance is idyllic.

Take measurements of the breadth of every stair riser

The area of the stairs that you step on when ascending or going down a stairwell is known as the riser. In the waterfall technique, you will fundamentally want a single long piece of rug that will encompass the entire staircase. That is why it is fundamental to measure the dimensions of each riser. Measure from the tip of the riser up to the joint (or where the riser ends and the fall starts). Jot down these dimensions.

Measure the “fall” of every stair

The fall alludes to the height or length between one riser and the next one. To measure the fall, start at the end of one riser and extend your measuring tape to the start of the consecutive one. For stairs that have “nosing”, the fall ends under the jutted out section. Take note of this measurement.

Combine the measurements for the fall and the riser

To do this, just add together the two previous measurements, and to this total add a few inches for allowance. This will allow you to neatly disguise the edges and the corners with sufficient carpet during the installation. Once you have discovered the length of each step, including the margin, you will just need to multiply this number by the number of stairs that you plan to carpet. This will give you the complete length of carpeting you need for the stairway.

Take the measurements of the total length and breadth to the carpeting store, and have a sales associate assist you in picking out the proper amount of carpet for your job.

Author Bio: Article provided by Elizabeth Carter who writes for Metal-Wall-Art.com, a site featuring metal tree sculptures and wall art decor.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: home improvement, home decor, interior design, carpets