When thinking of installing carpet on yours, you must know how to measure stairs for carpet first. Knowing the right measurements helps the carpet fit perfectly on the stairs and enhances the overall look of the area.
From offering quick and simple steps to the estimated cost and quantity of carpet, we will guide you with everything that is needed to measure stairs for carpet. Follow the instructions carefully to install carpet on stairs in the right way.
Things to Do Before You Measure Stairs for Carpet
Many people think that measuring the stairs is the same as measuring the room or floor. But, that’s not the case with stairs; you have to measure each step separately instead of doing it all at once. You should also remember a few things that are essential before you start measuring stairs.
- Make the stairs all clean by removing furniture or other stuff like pictures on the wall.
- Ensure that you have all the tools available, including measuring tape, pencil, and paper.
- Write down the width and depth of any doorways in hallways.
- Note down any downsides or corners with awkward spaces that change the shape of stairs.
- Making a wall-to-wall measurement across stairways is important as not all walls are entirely parallel.
- Make a simple floor plan of the hallway to mark where the stairs cut across.
Additionally, when you are measuring stairs, you should know the terminology as well. Here’s what else you should remember about the stairs:
- Tread: where you step on
- Riser: the vertical part of the step
- Nose: the edge of the step
How to Measure Stairs for Carpet
When you get done with all the important things, you should finally move on to start measuring stairs for carpets. The following steps will guide how to measure stairs for carpet in the easiest way.
Step 1: Begin from the Top Step
By using a measuring tape, measure the depth of the top part of the stairs where you step on. Measure it from the back edge to the front, ensuring that your measurement is accurate and there are no errors.
Step 2: Evaluate the Riser
Next, you have to measure the height of the step from top of the one tread to the next one. This measurement is also called the riser height. While doing this step, make sure that you do not mess up the measurement and make it accurate.
Step 3: Add Up 5 cm to Each Measurement
Add an extra 5 cm to each measurement, including edges and underlay. This is to ensure that you have enough carpet to cover the entire stairs. It also allows you to make additional cutting or fitting adjustments which might be needed later.
Step 4: Determine the Total Length
The total length is calculated by adding the depth of the tread and the height of the riser. Suppose, if the riser height is 20 cm and the tread depth is 20 cm, the total will be 40 cm. This measurement will be the total length of the carpet that will cover one step.
Step 5: Multiply Total Length with the Number of Steps
After calculating the total length of the carpet, multiply it by the number of steps you have on the staircase. Ensure that you count it right because this will be the total length of the carpet that will cover the entire stairs.
Step 6: Measure the Width
Now you have to calculate the total width required for the carpet. Measure the width of one step from edge to edge by using a measuring tape. Add an extra 5 cm here as well so you can adjust the fitting adjustments later if needed.
Step 7: Think about the Landings
In case you have angled steps or a half landing, you will need an additional amount of measurements to count for these sections. To get accurate measurements, you must evaluate each section individually.
Step 8: Lastly, Calculate the Total Square Metres
The final step is to calculate the total square metres by multiplying the total length by the total width of the step. For example, the total length is 40 cm, you have 12 stairs and the width of the step is 90 cm. The calculator will turn out like this (0.40 x 12) 5.28 metres x 0.9 metres = 4.75 square metres of carpet will be needed for the entire stairs.
Estimated Cost of Carpet: Wrapping Up!
Well, the estimated cost of carpet depends on the total square metres you need for the stairs. When you go buy a carpet, ask for its price and then multiply it by the total square metres you want.
Let’s suppose the price of the carpet is £30 and you need 14.2 square metres for the entire staircase, the calculation will be like £30 x 14.2 = £426. This will be the total cost of your carpet for the stairs.
Now that you have figured out how to measure stairs for carpet along with other considerations, it will be a lot easier for you to measure the stairs by yourself with just a few simple tools.
Also, check out the latest stair runner carpet ideas.
FAQs
How many metres of carpet is needed for 13 stairs?
You will need a total of 4.68 square metres of the carpet for the 13 stairs.
What is the standard size of steps?
Generally, the standard size of steps is around 7 inches in height, 22-36 inches in tread length, and 9-10 inches in depth.
What is the best width for stairs?
Typically, the two person stair widths result between 125 cm (49”) to 152 cm (60”).
How do you measure carpet?
By measuring the length and width of the room and multiplying them together will get you the total square metres of the carpet you need.
