Install Carpet Padding and Stretch-In Carpet

A. Finished-Project Specification

Quantity: one room fully carpeted with tack strip around the entire perimeter, cushion covering the full field without wrinkles or overlapping seams, carpet seamed as required by the room dimensions and roll width, the full field power-stretched and hooked onto the tack strip, the perimeter trimmed and tucked, and transitions installed at every doorway and adjoining floor.

B. Component Schedule

Component	Quantity	Material	Finished Size	Preparation
Tack strip	One continuous run around room perimeter, cut to fit each wall run and doorway opening	Tackless carpet tack strip compatible with the identified substrate	Cut to each wall-run length	Fastened at the specified gap with pins angled toward the wall
Cushion	Full room field, seamed as required by cushion roll width	Carpet cushion specified for the selected carpet product	Cut to fit inside tack-strip perimeter	Seamed with approved tape or staples, fastened without wrinkles
Carpet	Full room field, seamed as required by roll width and room dimensions	Carpet product from a single confirmed dye lot	Cut with the specified fitting allowance	Seams joined with approved seam tape or system; pile direction matched
Transitions and edge bars	One per doorway or adjoining-floor location identified in the transition plan	Transition or edge-bar product specified for the adjoining floor systems	Cut to opening width	Installed per Chapter 15 without restricting carpet movement

C. Material Takeoff

• Tack strip: total linear footage equal to the room perimeter minus doorway openings not receiving strip, plus waste allowance for corner cuts.
• Fasteners: tack-strip nails or approved concrete fasteners sized for the identified substrate, at the manufacturer-specified spacing.
• Cushion: square footage equal to the room field area plus waste allowance for seaming and trimming.
• Carpet: square footage equal to the room field area plus the specified fitting allowance at every wall and seam.
• Seam tape and adhesive: linear footage equal to the total planned seam length for both cushion and carpet.
• Transitions: one length per doorway or adjoining-floor location, cut to the measured opening width.

D. Fastener and Hardware Schedule

Joint	Fastener/Hardware	Spacing/Placement	Installation Direction	Notes
Tack strip to wood substrate	Tack-strip nails sized for the strip and substrate	Manufacturer-specified spacing along each strip length	Driven flush through the strip into the substrate	Pins angled toward the wall; do not fasten within the specified gap distance
Tack strip to concrete substrate	Approved concrete tack-strip fasteners or adhesive-back strip as specified	Manufacturer-specified spacing along each strip length	Set per fastener or adhesive product instructions	Confirm concrete moisture condition per Chapter 1 before fastening
Cushion to substrate	Staples or adhesive as specified for the cushion product	Perimeter and field spacing per cushion manufacturer instructions	Flat to substrate, no wrinkles	Do not staple or adhere within the tack-strip gap
Carpet seam	Hot-melt seam tape or approved seam system	Continuous along the full seam length	Centered beneath the seam line	Activate per seaming-iron manufacturer instructions; do not scorch backing

E. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Tack-strip installation	Continuous around the perimeter at the specified gap, securely fastened, pins angled toward the wall, no exposed strip after trimming
Cushion installation	Full field covered without wrinkles, seams butted without overlap, fastened flat to the substrate
Carpet seams	Pattern and pile direction matched, seam flat and secure with no visible gap or peaking
Power stretch	Full field stretched and hooked onto tack strip in the required sequence, no wrinkles, ripples, or loose areas anywhere in the field
Trim and tuck	Perimeter trimmed cleanly and tucked securely between tack strip and wall at every wall run
Obstacle and transition fit	Vents, posts, and obstacles cut cleanly; transitions installed per the Chapter 15 plan without restricting carpet movement
Documentation	Cushion, tack strip, seam, stretch, and transition details recorded on the installation record

F. Review, Substrate Confirmation, and Layout

1. Review carpet type, cushion, tack strip, seam plan, stretch requirement, transitions, stairs, door clearance, and environmental limits. Confirm each item against the approved project specification before proceeding.
2. Confirm the substrate is clean, dry, smooth, and free of projections. Verify this against the Chapter 1 Flooring-Readiness Plan for the room.
3. Inspect walls, doorways, cabinets, heat sources, floor vents, and transitions. Record the location of every feature that will affect tack-strip layout, cushion cuts, or carpet fitting.

G. Tack-Strip Installation

1. Lay out tack strips around the room. Mark the perimeter line on the substrate before cutting or fastening any strip.
2. Maintain the specified gap from walls and fixed objects. Confirm the gap at multiple points along each wall run before fastening.
3. Cut and fasten tack strips using methods compatible with wood or concrete substrate. Use the fastener and spacing specified in the Fastener and Hardware Schedule for the identified substrate.
4. Keep strip pins angled toward the wall. Verify pin direction on every section before moving to the next wall run.
5. Protect hands and finished surfaces from pins. Wear work gloves and keep installed strip covered or flagged until cushion installation begins.

H. Cushion Installation and Seaming

1. Lay out cushion perpendicular or as specified relative to carpet seams. Confirm the cushion orientation against the approved seam plan before cutting.
2. Cut cushion to fit inside tack strips. Trim each piece so it does not overlap or cover the tack strip.
3. Fasten or adhere cushion without wrinkles. Work from the center of each piece outward, smoothing as you fasten.
4. Seam cushion using the approved tape or staples. Butt adjoining pieces edge to edge before securing the seam.
5. Do not overlap cushion seams. Trim any overlapping edge flush before proceeding to carpet installation.

I. Carpet Seaming and Positioning

1. Roll out carpet and allow it to relax as required. Follow the relaxation period specified for the carpet product before cutting or seaming.
2. Establish pattern and seam orientation. Confirm pile direction and pattern match at every planned seam location before cutting.
3. Cut carpet with controlled fitting allowance. Leave the specified excess at every wall and seam for trimming after stretching.
4. Prepare seam edges. Trim factory edges straight using a straightedge and hook-blade knife, and use row-running pliers or shears where required to align pile rows.
5. Join carpet seams using the approved hot-melt or alternative system. Activate the seam tape with the seaming iron per manufacturer instructions and press the seam closed while the adhesive is workable.
6. Position the carpet in the room. Center the seamed carpet over the cushion field with the fitting allowance distributed evenly at the walls.

J. Power Stretching and Perimeter Securement

1. Hook one corner and use a power stretcher in the required sequence. Begin at the starting corner specified in the project plan and stretch toward each adjoining wall in sequence, hooking the carpet onto the tack strip as each section reaches full stretch.
2. Use a knee kicker only for positioning and limited detail work, not as a substitute for required power stretching. Reserve the knee kicker for corners, closets, and short returns the power stretcher cannot reach directly.
3. Engage carpet on tack strips. Confirm the backing is fully hooked onto the pins along the entire perimeter before trimming.
4. Trim perimeter edges. Cut the excess carpet along the wall line using the stair tool and trimming knife, working in short controlled passes.
5. Tuck carpet securely between tack strip and wall. Use the stair tool to press the trimmed edge fully into the gap along every wall run.
6. Cut around vents, posts, and obstacles. Fit each obstacle cleanly with relief cuts limited to the immediate area of the obstacle.
7. Install transitions and edge bars. Install each transition per the Chapter 15 plan without restricting the movement of any adjoining floating floor.

K. Inspection and Documentation

1. Inspect seams, wrinkles, stretch, edge engagement, door clearance, and pile direction. Walk the full field and check every seam, wall run, and transition against the Acceptance Standards table.
2. Document cushion, tack strip, seam, stretch, and transitions. Record product information, seam locations, and inspection results on the installation record before closing out the project.