How to Measure Stairs for Carpets & Runners in the UK

Whether you’ve just bought full carpet or carpet runners for your stairs, this guide will act as a handy guide on how to measure stairs for carpet. This guide will also be appropriate for all kinds of staircases, from L-shapes, stairs with a turn and full curved stairs. All new carpet fitting needs will be addressed below.

While the process can sometimes be quite complex in comparison to measuring carpet for a room, we’ve cut it down to 8 simple steps.

Before we continue, these are the items you will need for how to measure stairs for carpet:

A pencil to make markings where appropriate
A tape measure
A ruler
Paper
Having an assistant is also helpful

How to Measure Stairs for Carpet

First things first, make sure you start with measuring your landing and working your way down from here. You will be measuring the landing, stairs, and finally, the hallway. You should end up with a full sketch of the landing, stair measurements, and a rough hallway sketch.

Measuring the Landing Space

Start by drawing a rough sketch or floor plan of your stairs and landing, marking where the stairs come down from the landing. Be sure to check your plans have arrows indicating where the stairs come down from your landing. It is crucial you make sure that your carpet pile goes in the right direction!

A simple way to measure your landing is to think of it as any other room. This includes measuring into any doorways, curves or lips on your landing. You will also need to include the top stair in this measurement.

So, begin with measuring from the doorway (or the opposing wall of the top step) and using the tape measure, measure all the way across the top of the stair and down to the tread (this is the step of the stair). This action must be completed in one measurement because the carpet will need to run from the door/wall without a break, as this will allow the stairs to run in the same direction. Once this is completed, you will then be able to measure the rest of your staircase.

The next step is to take note of the different stairs on your staircase, how many are stairs with a turn and how many are straight. Stairs with a turn (also known as winders) will need to be measured separately as each will be a different size.

For the straight stairs, start measuring from the back of the top riser, over the stair nose (the lip, or end of the stair tread), all the way down to the back of the next tread. Once this is measured, you will then need to measure the width of the stair, keeping note of both measurements.

NOTE:

If you have a landing in the middle of your staircase (as is the case for most L-shaped staircases, T-shaped and some curved stairs, be sure to measure the width and length across the landing, as well as the drop over the step down to the first stair tread.

It’s important to measure each curved stairs individually – do not assume all curved stairs will be the same width and length because they won’t! The pile direction must stretch over the nose of the stair at a right angle from the back of the tread, over the nose of the riser and onto the tread below, recording the measurements as you go. You can repeat this process for all your curved stairs.

Once you have confirmed all your measurements, you can begin laying carpet onto your stairs! Now we’ll take a look at how to measure stairs for carpet runners.

How to Measure Stairs for Carpet Runners

Buy and Install Tackless Strips

You will need to buy tackless strips (available from most homeware stores like B&Q). Then, cut the strips so they’re around 4” shorter than the width of your carpet runner. Make sure your strips are ½” from, and parallel to, the corner between the riser and the tread.

Padding Installation

Cut carpet padding the same width as the strips and wrap it around the front edge of the steps, but leave some slack.

Trimming the Carpet to Size

Grab your carpet runner from Stair Rods Direct and roll out the length required to cover the whole of the stairs. Next, cut it about 2 or 3 inches wider than the runner will be once finished to give yourself some leeway. Flip the runner upside down and draw a chalk line on both sides so the distance between the chalk lines are equal to the runner width.

Creasing the Carpet Runner

For this, you’ll need a straightedge and an awl to efficiently score the back of the runner along the chalk lines. This will then allow you to accurately fold the carper runner along the chalked lines.

Positioning and Attaching the Runner

Next, fold the edges of the carpet runner under the bottom edge of the steps and make sure it’s centered. Using your awl, push the runner onto the tackless strip.

Securing the Riser Using a Staple

Staple the carpet onto the riser right below the tread. Maneuver the stapler in between the fibres but be mindful not to staple right through the fold

Tuck the Runner into the Corner

You will need a knee kicker to position the runner into the corner of the riser and tread. Use a stair tool to weedle the carpet into the corner of the riser and tread. You can repeat steps 6 and 7 when applying the runners to the other stairs.

Finally, Straighten the Runner’s Edges

This step may not be required if the edges of your runner are already straight, but if they aren’t, use an awl to pull the bottom of the fold-out from under the runner to straighten the edges. Once straight, use a stapler to fix them.

Looking to Buy Carpet Runners?

If you’re still in the market for durable and stylish carpet runners in the UK, why not take a look at our stock? As providers of stunning carpet runners and stair rods in the UK, we can help you complete your staircase renovation project.

For any other questions about how to measure stairs for carpet and runners, please don’t hesitate to speak with our team. If you aren’t sure on calculating how much carpet you need or don’t know the measurements to calculate, we can put you in touch with an experienced UK carpet installer today.