How do you measure for carpet?

Question

I know how to find the area of something (courtesy of old GCSE Maths book), but measuring carpet for a whole house?? - there isn't enough graph paper in the world! Also is there a formula for stairs?? help!

Answer 1

The main problem with homeowners figuring carpet is that carpet all has to run with the grain of the carpet going the same direction. There are other snags like the carpet pattern repeat and waste.You can get a decent estimate by figuring the Sq. Ft of each room I. E. " length x width " and adding them all together. But expect that you will have to add about 10% to it just for waste factor. Carpet rolls come in either 12 or 15 foot wide rolls so when figuring carpet you have to decide one or another, you cannot use both as die lots will be different. For steps there are a few variables
1) Are your steps open with the pickets and a railing all the way down, are the bottom 4 steps open and the rest closed (meaning the wall goes all the way to the step on both sides) or are the steps closed all the way down
2) How wide are the steps
3) Are there any landings and or Pie steps (triangle ones)
If you don't want to commit to a company coming out and putting the hard close on you, or paying a company like Lowe's or home depot to do it. You can draw a diagram of the area with the measurements and what the layout of the steps are fax it to me @804-730-1488
I will tell you how much carpet you need with the only variable being if you pick out a Berber carpet that has some kind of a design in it. Make sure to put your return fax

Answer 2

Best to let the supplier measure for you, he will know exactly what to measure. But if you have to diy then you first have to decide if the carpet will fit the room in one direction , i.e. is the carpet you have chosen available in 3/4/5 metre wide, measure the widest part of the room, into recesses and door thresholds. then the same thing in the other direction, then you have a size for room 1 for example -- 6.5m long x 4m wide 'golden twist' or whatever!!

Repeat for other areas, if you are using the same carpet throughout the house then be sure that your sizes allow for the pile to run in the same direction, otherwise it will look like a different carpet if at right angles or running the opposite way. Staircases - take a tape from top to bottom, measure the risers and treads, allow for tucks if there are turns. But there is no substitute for experience, most suppliers measure and estimate free these days. Where are you?

Answer 3

You don't need to "graph" the house, just measure sq, ft. convert to sq. yards, and apply that with rounding up, for cuts etc.

Oddly enough carpet is usually sold by the sq. yard since most is 12 ft. wide,,,but estimated for installing, by the sq. ft.

Measure a step tread and face, with an inch or two extra at the leading edge of the tread, and measure the width, then assume you may have waste in the total number of steps as it equates to the length you need.

Are you installing yourself? If so, you might figure an extra yard of carpet at each end of a section and use that as a 12 ft long by whatever width, and perhaps piece it at the rear of a tread.

If you are having it installed you can probably assume the contractor///dealer will give you what you need, charging in sq' ft. or yards, and leave you any extra, other than small scraps, unless you request them.

Rev. Steven

Answer 4

Even if you are installing your own carpent (in which case...more power to you!!)...most carpet stores will come and take a measurement for you as a courtesy. Sometimes they charge a small amount like $20-$50. But its worth it to get the measurement right.

Answer 5

If you are going to buy carpet, call the carpet store and give them the measurements of each room. They will calculate for you. Normally, measure each room width X length and multiply, divide by 9 and that will give you the yards you need to buy. For the stairs, measure the width by the number of stairs X 2 and that should give you the length, then follow above rule.

Answer 6

iff you wish to re carpet a complete house ? do not do yourself as any reputable supplier will estimate and fit FREE for a sale of this size---- including free underlay where needed
do not have foam back [bedroom carpet ] downstairs or ON STAIRS as that will wear out quickly --- but also --- is no need to pay for heavy duty carpet in bedrooms
also --- decide your " joiners " in advance
[ in doorways as required ] hidden/ exposed / brass / copper / wood etc --- it all counts on cost and final look

get several quotes without commitment --- then decide

best wishes for a beautifull new look
yours

M.M.

Answer 7

the shop sends nice men round, the use something called a tape measure, go away come back and lo and behold your house has carpet-prefer wooden floors myself.

Answer 8

usually some carpet places give a free measuring service.

Answer 9

All you will need is a good tape a bit of paper and a pen

Answer 10

ask a carpet fitter