Not only did this carpet install take sooooo much longer than the first two installs, this was also my worst work. Boo. Last fall I installed the same carpet (Stainmaster Aristocrat II in Pale Clay, only $.99/sq.ft. at Lowe’s) in my son’s room (read post HERE) and again in Smart Jr’s room (read post HERE) with no problems. So you’d think that the 3rd time would be a piece of cake, but instead I jacked it up a bit. I don’t think laying the carpet bent over the staircase railing for 2 nights was a good idea, because the carpet definitely didn’t lay perfectly flat when I unrolled it, not even after I used the carpet kicker. Oops.I’m sure a carpet stretcher will fix the problem, but it’s such a bummer because I got away with only a knee kicker in the chevron and surf shack bedrooms. I’ll have to look into renting one, although now that I’ve waited a day, the carpet seems to have flattened itself out nicely. The other really funny thing is that I tore out the old carpet in a frenzy when I found out it was bulk trash day. Well, guess what? Bulk trash day is again tomorrow. That’s right, I tore out the carpet exactly 4 weeks ago and I waited until yesterday to put in new tack strips, carpet padding and carpet. I know, I have issues. Um, and my own bedroom looks like this BTW.
I followed all the regular steps that I did to install the other carpets:
- I removed the old carpet and pad and most of the tack strips, which were all rusty for whatever reason.
- I painted the trim and walls – too bad Lulu chose a blue that was almost exactly the same shade of blue she’s been complaining about for the past 5 years.
- I screwed down the squeaky floor board, which was like all of them. This room had the worst subfloor, complete with a little note from the builder showing a “High Joist.” Glad I wasn’t trying to put hardwood or something in here.
- I installed new tack strips.
- I dragged the carpet in the room and unrolled it (where’s hubby when you need him?)
- Then I kicked the carpet into place.
To recap… while you admire my custom-built closet organizer…
But here is where I ran into a few problems… All in all I think it was a success. But I am glad that I am going to do hardwood in the hallway and master bedroom. Will it ever end??? So glad we bought a fixer upper. Oh wait, no we paid top dollar for our move-in-ready house. Hmmm.
Smart Girl
Dang, girl! Is there anything you can’t do? Seriously! The room is lookin’ good! 🙂
Thanks Julie! And the sun light is up, I just have to take a picture. She loves it, you were totally right!
Thanks! I’m thinking I want to build a loft bed in this room too. She has so much little junk that ends up all over the floor. Maybe a lofted play area above and she can sleep below. Hmmm… It will probably take me another 6 months to decide on a design. 🙂
How much did all of your materials cost?
Hi Brittany. Check out this other post where I listed the prices for everything. http://smartgirlsdiy.com/2013/12/how-to-install-carpet-yourself/
You need carpet, padding, and maybe tack strips for each room = about $275
I did invest in a knee kicker because I was doing multiple rooms = $80
I had pretty much everything else. Let me know if you give it a try!
How do you hide or blend the transitions? Like the bedroom to hallway?