Installing new carpeting can be a lengthy and arduous process, but it can save the homeowner a lot of money and provide a sense of accomplishment once the installation is complete. The most difficult part of laying carpet is cutting it to fit the room or to be joined to other carpet pieces. Missteps here can be costly. There are a few pointers, however, to help prevent such missteps from occurring, and those who are laying carpet should have fewer difficulties if these tips are kept in mind.
As with any project, cutting carpet goes much smoother with the proper tools. It is possible to cut carpet with just a basic utility knife, especially if the carpeting is not too thick. Yet most carpet installers recommend getting a carpet knife or carpet shearers for cutting the carpet during installation. These specialized tools are quite sharp because of the thick carpeting they are designed to cut, so you should take extra care if you are using them to help install your carpet.
After measuring the floor area the carpeting is going to cover, take your new carpet and turn it upside down so that the fibers are touching the ground and the backing is visible to you. Take these measurements and mark the backing of the carpet as necessary for getting the new piece to fit where it needs to go. You will want to use a straight edge such as a measuring tape to draw lines to guide your cutting of the carpet. Cutting straight edges is your goal, and this goal can be achieved if straight lines are drawn and you adhere to them as your guide when you are actually doing the cutting.
Now you are ready to actually cut the carpet. If the new carpet is not already lying against a surface that is impervious to scratches or where scratches will not matter, take the carpet and lay it on a surface that a knife cannot damage. Holding the carpet down, you will want to take your knife and score the line you have drawn. Do not worry if you cannot cut all the way through the backing, for the thickness of many carpets makes it difficult to slice completely through the carpeting. Simply take your carpet shearers and cut where you have scored if you are unable to do the entire cutting job with the carpet knife. Many people will recommend that you wear goggles during the cutting in case your hand slips and the knife or shearers get too close to your eyes.
Once you are finished cutting you are able to take the piece of carpet and lay it in place. If your measurements have been accurate and youre cutting straight, there should be no problem making it fit in the room you purchased it for.
All about Carpet — guide for learning how to lay carpet that includes cutting instructions
Carpet Cutting Advice — extensive DIY details for installing carpet, with tips for proper cutting
Cut Carpet for a Small Bathroom — cutting carpet remnants to fit a small bathroom
Cutting and Installing Carpet Squares — an easy alternative to using normal carpeting with instructions on carpet cutting
E.H. Williams on Installing Carpet — carpet installation guide with tips for accurate carpet cutting
Extreme How To: Carpet Installation — great resource for cutting and installing carpet, including how-to illustrations
How to Cut Carpet — ehow.com page on the way to properly cut carpet
Install Carpet Yourself — includes instructions for cutting carpet yourself
Laying Carpet — extensive installation guide that includes instructions for cutting carpet
Using Carpet Installation Tools — explains how to use various carpet tools, including those designed for cutting carpet
