Carpets can make a room feel like home. Cozy, soft, and warm, they take your bedroom or living room to the next level. But what really goes into installing carpet? Here’s a brief play-by-play of what your carpet installer will do for you to make your room the best it can be with some new carpeting.
Measure the room – The first thing they’ll do is measure the room that you’re looking to carpet. The size and shape of a room can affect the price of the material and the installation, so it’s nice to do a little measuring yourself first to get an idea for what you’re in for.
Lay the foundations – In order to have something to mount the carpets to, the carpet installer will then line the floor with wooden baseboards and put down the carpeting pad. This is what will make your floors feel soft and springy, while staying firmly attached to the spot. (TIP: some carpet pads and carpeting can have protective chemicals on them from storage or manufacturing. When you’re installing carpet, make sure you ask about airing the materials out first.)
Put down the real thing – There are tons of different carpeting types to choose from, with lots of different grades of softness and pile. Once all the foundations are set up, they’ll roll out the carpeting you choose and fasten it down, giving you a floor that can last up to 30 years, with proper care. Just make sure that you pay close attention to any spills, since you can nab 99% of them if you treat them within the next couple days.
No matter what kind of carpet you choose, you can be sure you’re making a good choice. Over 70% of American floors are sporting carpet, so at the very least, you know you’re definitely in good company.