If you are finishing your basement, you need to know how to install carpet on concrete. Installing the carpet yourself can save you money on labor costs and give you flexibility. But even if you do not do it yourself, you should understand the process so that you make sure the job is done correctly in your home. Laying carpet on concrete takes a few extra steps as opposed to installing it in other areas of your home.

First, you should check to make sure there is not moisture in the area where you want to install the carpet. If there is, you need to address the foundation issues that may be causing the leak in your basement floor. In addition, you should choose a thick mold resistant padding to prevent mold from developing in your basement.

Next, you will install a tackless strip around the perimeter of the room where you will be installing the carpet. This is what you will attach the carpet to. Use concrete nails when you install the strip, and be sure that you do not hit any pipes running underneath the floor.

Once the tackless strips are installed you will need to cut the strips of padding to fit your room. Allow a few extra inches so you can trim it away once you have tacked the padding into the tackless strip. Attach the padding to the strip, and then trim the excess padding from the floor.

Cut your carpet so that it will fit into your room, leaving a few extra inches on each side to ensure you will have enough carpet when you are done. Attach the carpet to the tackless strip in one corner of the room, and then use a carpet stretcher to pull the carpet tight as you attach it in the other corner of the room. Do this with each corner until the carpet has been attached to the tackless strip.

Trim the carpet, and push the edges up under the baseboards throughout the room. This will keep the edges from showing. You will also need to create an edge to the carpet at the doorway by using a binder bar. You attach the carpet to the hooks in the bar, and then you attach the bar to the floor.

If you have a seam in your carpet you will need seam tape and a blow dryer. Once you tape the seams together, blow dry the back of your carpet so that the tape melts and fuses the pieces of carpet together.

And that is essentially it. The process is not too difficult for anyone who is handy and willing to do the work. And even if you don't want to do it yourself, knowing the process can help you when choosing someone else to do the work for you.

If you’ve been looking to revamp you deck for a while, you may be excited (or maybe not even considered) using outdoor carpeting for decks as an alternative for outdoor decor. You’ll want to do a bit of research before heading out and buying the first carpet you land your eyes on. For example, I was thinking about the advantages of using outdoor carpet on my deck, things like:

1. The add to the beauty of your outdoor living space and just enhance the decor

2. They provide warmth during those cold summer months when you can’t go outside without your shoes or socks

3.  The provide a protective portion of the floor where children can play

What I learned is that the distinct difference in normal indoor carpeting and outdoor carpeting for decks is the ability of the outdoor carpets to withstand all weather while still managing to enhance the overall look. Pretty basic and common sense stuff right? But also consider that your outdoor carpet will be exposed to UV rays, a high amount of human traffic and if your deck isn’t enclosed, some rain may even seep through. You may figure that you save more money like me… if I buy something that will serve me longer and costs a bit more initially than if I buy something cheap that will have to be replaced after a short period of use.

But purchasing and installing the carpet is just one part, what about the maintenance routine for outdoor carpeting for decks? With the large volume of traffic which I get from guests and family, I knew that I would need to work out a simple yet effective cleaning regiment to keep the carpet looking its best. I also took the environment into consideration. How dusty is it? How often does it rain/flood? Most outdoor carpeting can usually be cleaned by just hosing it off and then leaving it out to dry. It is important that you thoroughly dry out the outdoor carpet to avoid having mildew form or the development of rot and an unpleasant smell.

Two options I found online on Amazon are:

1. Outdoor Area Rug 4 x 6 Reversible & Waterproof

If you’re looking to just cover a small area, then a rug may be your best bet. At an amazing bargain I found for only $49.99, this carpet spells out versatility. It can be used both indoors and outdoors and allows for one to reverse it so you can use it longer between washes. It is waterproof and allows water to seep through it and evaporate so I wasn’t worried about rotting my deck. Apart from that, it is also mildew proof and very easy to wash. Truly a great acquisition!

2. 6 Foot by (up to 40 feet) long Green – Outdoor Decking Carpet

This is the green outdoor carpet everyone is used to seeing. Although this product is green, it comes in many other sizes but is still fairly affordable. Also, as carpet is pretty heavy to ship, Amazon is always nice because a lot of these products come with free shipping. Check out ALL OUTDOOR CARPET FOR DECKS HERE!

There are several different types of indoor outdoor carpet for garage areas. In order to make the right choice, it will be important to know what these types are, as well as to consider what activities take place in your garage. The three main differences will be that of quality level, colors, and weaving.

Lower grade grass carpet will work for areas that do not receive much traffic. This type is recommended for area that are not directly exposed to the elements. It is fine for use in all indoor areas, and can be considered for use in outdoor areas that are covered.

Higher grade grass carpet will hold up well under a greater variety of conditions. It will withstand lots of traffic, and it can be exposed to the elements. This product is available in different colors, with the most commonly found color being green.

The highest grades of grass carpet are available in many different colors. What makes this version different from the others is that it offers a marine backing. Marine backing should be chosen in all areas that will be exposed to moisture. This will allow the product to dry quickly, which will help prevent mold from forming.

Plush indoor outdoor carpet for garage use is also available. The lower and middle grades are not suitable for high traffic areas. These grades are also not suitable for moisture prone areas, as they do not provide marine backing. These types are best for strictly indoor use, or for outdoor areas that are covered.

Higher grade plush should be used indoors, as well as in covered areas. This type may, or may not, come with marine backing. All plush varieties should be chosen based on how the area will be used. It is advisable to choose these types in the form of carpet squares that can easily be removed and replaced should they become permanently stained.

Berber carpeting is yet another choice. This type does provide water proof backing. It also offers a high level of stain resistance. Therefore, it can be used in a large variety of areas. With this type offering more of a luxurious feel, it works well in garages, basements, decks, and patios.

There are two basic choices when it comes to indoor outdoor carpet for garage areas. The traditional cut one piece, and squares. Many people prefer the squares, as they can be removed and replaced should an area become damaged or stained. Both types will require that the area that they will be used in is measured correctly. This will ensure that the proper amount of the product is purchased.

Choosing the correct type of indoor outdoor carpet for garage use is the key to ensuring that it lasts for many years. Those that use their garage for more than just parking will most definitely benefit from the added comfort and insulation that this type of product will provide. Installation is easy, and the price is significantly lower than standard household carpet choices.

Many types of carpets are available in the market, but those looking for do-it-yourself flooring have flocked to peel and stick carpet tiles. They have been soaring in popularity due to being a cheap and easy way to make rooms in the house look fresh and new. This method is convenient, which means rooms can be updated quickly and efficiently by almost anyone. It is also economic and offers the same quality as traditional carpeting.

Features of Peel and Stick Carpet Tiles

They have had a bad reputation for many years since most people associate them with low quality, industrial style carpeting. It is simply not true, however, as the quality is as high as someone would expect in roll carpeting. Keeping on the topic of quality, it is easy to point out that peel and stick carpet tiles have the same type of variable fibers that used to exist only in expensive carpeting. These fibers are of very high quality and are now available in convenient, easy to use carpet squares.

The styles are also very good. You can find all solid colors of the spectrum, as well as many patterns. They also come in different textures and pile depths. Best of all, many styles and patterns are available in your local carpet shop; many more are available online with a simple web search.

Carpet tiles can also be bought in small quantities if you want to try them out before making a decision for the rest of the house. This makes it very easy to mix and match. You can combine styles and colors to make borders, create patterns and so much more. In fact, peel and stick carpet tiles enable you to show your creativity throughout your house.

Benefits of Peel and Stick Carpet Tiles

There are many advantages and benefits of peel and stick carpet tiles over traditional carpets. Here are a few:

1. They are very long lasting and extremely durable
2. If they do get damaged, you can easily remove the damaged tile. You do not need to replace the entire carpet as you have to do with traditional carpets
3. Very easy to clean
4. Extremely easy to install and maintain. As the name suggests, you lay them by peeling off their back and sticking to the floor
5. They fit very easily, allowing you to buy just as much as you need
6. You can mix and match to make borders, designs, patterns in your home. This is simply not possible with regular carpets
7. They come with built-in underlay, which saves you a lot of money
8. If you have children in the house, you can use peel and stick carpet tiles for their rooms, play areas and family rooms since they are easy to clean and are highly durable

You no longer have to put up with the various nuances of having traditional carpeting. Peel and stick carpet tiles are easy to clean and maintain, last very long and let you exhibit your creativity in any way you please. It is a better choice than regular carpets in many different ways.

There are numerous reasons why an individual might want to get rid of their naturally growing grass and to replace it with an artificial grass carpet. Grass that grows naturally, while beautiful to look at and step on, can offer a number of challenges to a homeowner or groundskeeper. Real grass requires mowing at least once a week, and it needs to be tended to constantly so that weeds do not begin to infest it. Additionally, there are some spots in which grass is very difficult to grow in the first place, much less maintain.

Add to this the fact that a gorgeous, traditional grass lawn, requires fertilization at various times throughout the year. No one likes going through the cycle of fertilizing that involves applying a weeding fertilizer in the spring, a general fertilizer through the season, and a winterizer in the fall. The costs of maintaining a real grass lawn, when you add up the price of fertilizer, seed, and implements can be too much for many homeowners. This is why replacing your lawn with artificial grass turf could be a terrific solution.

An artificial grass mat or carpet is also a wonderful idea for those homeowners who live in areas not conducive to growing natural grass. These areas can be found in abundance in the American West in places like the deserts of California, Arizona and New Mexico. While it possible to maintain a natural lawn in such places, it takes even more work than it typically does in non desert climates. People living in these areas have a choice to xeriscape their lawn using gravel, rocks, and native plants; or, if they want some green in their lives, they can install an artificial grass carpet.

Artificial grass comes in many different styles, and the choices available today go far beyond the tacky look of fake grass from the past. It is certainly possible to find artificial turf that looks like the cutting edge product of the 1960s, but it is not advisable. Modern artificial turf like the kind used in many pro sports stadiums looks almost exactly like natural grass, and it is recommended that people who use their lawns for various activities on a regular basis install the best, most realistic artificial grass they can afford. This can be expensive, but the costs are quickly offset by the fact that the new lawn requires little to no maintenance.

Installing artificial turf is not as simple as throwing a rug over a floor. In fact, with the new advances in turf that have made artificial grass more life-like, new systems of installation have been developed that ensure proper drainage and feel. For the best results, it is highly recommended that a person employ the services of a professional turf installer. These professionals can help make sure that the turf is installed properly, and that it will remain maintenance free for years to come.

If you are looking for an alternative to your natural grass lawn, there have been many important advances in the field of artificial grass carpet in the last decade. It is now possible to have a beautiful, great feeling lawn requiring little maintenance. Instead of spending your weekends mowing and fertilizing, you can now enjoy your time off by admiring your perfectly gorgeous new lawn.

When installing outdoor carpeting, there's some things you'll want to take into consideration. You'll need to determine what type of surface you'll be covering up and additionally, what type of outdoor carpeting you're going to want to install.

Outdoor carpeting works great for most boats, around pools, garages, gazebos, or just about anything that could benefit from a carpeted surface that may be exposed to the elements. Prior to deciding on what type of carpet you choose for your outdoor area, do some research as to the durability and its ability to stand up to the elements. For example, some outdoor carpeting may fade if exposed to daily sunlight directly.

If looking at Olefin or Polypropylene for your outdoor carpeting, make sure it's been chemically treated to resist damage by the sun. Olefin or Polypropylene fibered carpet will break down in the sun if not treated properly and need to be replaced. Also think about what is going to be used around the carpeting. For example, if you're carpeting around a pool or drainage area, make sure the outdoor carpeting you choose can stand up to chlorine or water constantly running off of it.

Like with any purchase, outdoor carpet is no different. Having the right expectations is the only way to be fully satisfied. It pays to do your research. If you install carpet around or on your deck, which is partially under the roof line where it get's shade on half the covered area. And the half that is exposed to the sun fades over time... well, it's going to look terrible and you're going to be unsatisfied obviously. So choose a carpet that is chemcially treated to stand up to sun exposure. With that said, there are few outdoor carpeting, if any, that will stand the test of time in the sun forever. So remember that even the most expensive outdoor products eventually show results of constant exposure to the elements.

One great choice for outdoor carpeting is Olefin, which you'll find in many berber typed carpets. Olefin is stain resistant and stands up great to normal wear and tear. Olefin is also considered colorfast since the fiber has the color added during production. Additionally, it stands up very well to midew, mold, and moisture over time compared to other materials.

The best idea is to simply visit a local carpet retailer and take home some outdoor carpeting samples to take home and see what looks good. In some cases, carpet remnants may be available in the outdoor carpet you could use.

check out the rest of the videos in this series here.

Working with outdoor carpeting, many installers will have left overs, or you might find odds and ends at your local home store like Lowes or Home Depot. However, there’s something to think about when considering outdoor carpet remnants. I bring this up because I’ve gotten several requests lately asking specifically for ways to find cheap outdoor carpet remnants. But honestly, the price is so relative, check out our Buy Outdoor Carpet page and you’ll see why. With other types of carpets, remnants would be a great idea, however, that is not so much the case when carpeting an outside area. Sure you can find great deals on remnants, especially with inside carpeting but there’s a reason why. There are literally thousands of makes and types of indoor carpet that can range anywhere from a few dollars to $50 or more a square foot - not to mention installation. That makes the case where finding some high value and quality carpet at remnant pricing is a great deal, considering your willing to find it and take the time on either installing it yourself or hiring a professional to install it. Many outdoor carpets these days (like outdoor carpet tiles) come with adhesive backing that makes installation a cinch. Which is while the tile or squares option is so popular now, you don’t have to hire a professional, like with the TrafficMaster brand that can be found at most Home Depots.

Outdoor carpeting almost always comes in 6’ widths by the length you determine, whereas indoor carpet rolls generally come in 12’ widths. So naturally you may get some 12’ width remnants that you can piece together. Which is what we actually did with our basement. We got a great deal on some olefin remnants and was able to carpet our entire basement on the real cheap with minimal seams. Unless you’re looking to carpet an outdoor area with a highly durable olefin for outdoor, remnants are probably not your best bet. With that said however, you can use olefin outdoors if it’s been treated. Treated olefin is resistant to sun damage and will hold up but does not have the marine backing like other outdoor carpets made specially for outside use. Now this may be the way to go of you’re looking for outdoor carpet remnants (the treated olefin route) however you’re still looking at paying comparable prices if you consider the price of some olefin plus the adhesive or carpet glue you’ll need for securing it to say concrete outdoors. The case is then you’re not getting the unique qualities of the marine backing that comes with carpeting made specifically for outdoors.

Finding indoor outdoor carpet remnants for something like a garage or or screened in porch area would work great for that. In this case, finding some outdoor remnants that don’t have the marine backing would work great. Plus you may be able to find them in 12’ widths. Again, this would even be considered highly durable indoor olefin carpet much like you see in offices. You can find these remnants at most carpet retailers or even local home stores (usually bound and stuck in a box at the end of the carpet section). So check out our options to Buy Outdoor Carpet and keep in mind that finding remnants may still be an option by using high traffic or durable indoor carpet in an outside area if you’re wanting remnants. Keep in mind also if the carpet is going to get wet, you may have to replace it after a few seasons so paying a little extra to get the marine backing specific to outdoor carpeting may be the best way to go.

Boat owners are not the only people who will benefit from the installation of marine carpet. This water resistant, mold and mildew free, stain and slip opposing floor covering is excellent for porches, garage floors, docks, decks, poolsides and basements. Many varieties of marine grade carpet are available for varying applications but every roll shares the same basic qualities. Some people prefer to try simple outdoor carpet to keep costs low and in the long-term, when they have to replace their carpeting, and the marine varieties are still holding fast, the savings of doing it right the first time are evident.

Marine carpeting is specifically designed for environments that are constantly wet. For this reason, it is most commonly used on boat decks and docks where water is always dousing the surroundings. The material for the rugs fibers is naturally UV repellent so colors do not fade. It is made to resist the growth of mold and mildew while still being easy to clean with household detergents. A mild scrubbing and rinse when the carpet feels dirty quickly returns it to working order.

Most marine carpet is manufactured with a short pile (the length of the individual fibers), which contributes to its function of keeping contaminants from getting trapped on its surface. Still, it is specially designed for bare foot traffic and so soft and welcoming to tired feet. Unlike short, plastic-fiber outdoor carpeting, marine grade carpet is not a scratchy and slick surface on which to walk. Whether wet or dry, it has strong traction for superior footing grip.

The base of marine carpeting is made from top-grade, flexible rubber backing, thick enough not to bunch and thin enough to comfortably conform to uneven surfaces. Certainly on the dock of a boat, the surface is flat, but in basements or decks where concrete or wood warp may be prevalent, the rubber backing still makes clean contact with the floor to maintain a safe walking surface. The rubber matting also enhances the softness for walking and makes gluing the carpet to its surface easy and reliable; especially if you purchase a boat carpet kit.

However, depending on where it is installed people may want the ease of lifting their carpet from its floor to have less tack for quicker cleaning. In the wettest areas, marine carpet is unquestionably the best ground cover. In moderately wet areas, people should strongly consider using it for the best and longest lasting durability.

Sailing environments and docks are the obvious locations for marine grade carpet. Basement floors, decks and poolsides though are also excellent locations for this durable flooring. The plushness of the pile makes deck parties more comfortable and inviting. Its resistance to deterioration gives it an edge over outdoor carpeting and the simplicity of cleaning makes it the clear choice for weather prone locations. Since it does not bunch it is ideal for the surfaces that require walkers to have keen balance and since its fibers do not become slick when wet, it provides a good surface for moving about in any weather.

A nice boat carpet can add a finished look to your boat, as well as providing protection against wear and damage to the deck and increasing underfoot traction in damp, slippery conditions. Boat carpeting does wear out eventually, however, and it is important to replace it quickly when it does. The difficulty of its replacement depends on the size of your boat and the type of carpet needed. Carpeting is either installed using snap-on carpet, which is easy to replace, or glued-on carpet, which takes a little more time and effort. Those who have refinished their vessel before, or who are experienced with boat carpet replacement in general may opt to measure, buy and install marine carpeting bought in bulk from a marine store. Those who are less sure of themselves often find it easier to use one of the many boat carpet kits available on the market.

While boat carpet kits may not give you as great a selection of colors and fabrics as buying bulk, they offer more than enough choices for most people. The first thing to consider when choosing a kit is the kind of fabric you want to use. While it is possible to cover your deck with home carpeting or indoor/outdoor carpeting, most kits use marine carpeting, which is built specifically for use in damp or wet environments. Typically, it is UV stabilized and made from polypropylene, which is resistant to stains and mold. Many types also include rubber backing, to add an extra layer of moisture resistance. If you are installing your carpeting using a snap-on system, it is important to make sure that you use an option with a rubber back, which helps air to flow throughout the bottom while providing added stability. If you are using glue, rubber backing is not necessary, but is still a nice feature.

Kits also offer a variety of colors to choose from. Because marine carpeting does not stain, lighter colors can look just as good as darker colors. While most kits come in earth tones or dark colors, some do offer brighter choices such as teal, red or even silver. It can be fun to match your deck covering to a paint color on the side of your boat, or to provide a contrasting color to your general decorative motif. While most kit manufacturers offer a range of colors, they do not offer every available shade, and you may have to make a custom order if you are trying to match a specific color.

Boat carpet kits are made to match specific makes and models of boats, so it is important to know what type of vessel you have as well as its width and length before buying carpet, whether you are buying it online or from a marine supply store. Most kits will include marine-strength glue, push pins and craft paper. While these are the basic tools needed, it can also be useful to have a brush or spreader to help apply the glue as well as a hammer to push the pins down fully, making the installation process smooth and easy. You may also need a sharp razor or knife to cut the carpet to your exact specifications.

We’ve been talking a lot about the different types of outdoor carpeting; like how to install and different types like carpet squares and rolls, but what about choosing the right style and design to begin with and some unique and cool ideas and places to install our outside carpet.

Obviously we may want to use the outdoor carpet tiles around a pool or spa, but what about some other areas like inside a storage shed or garage. We recently installed some great olefin carpet we got as remnants to put in our outdoor storage shed next to our pool. This polypropylene type olefin carpet works great for storing our pool supplies and things we want to keep off the wet pavement. What we did was purchase some of those rubber mats like you see behind bars (as in restaurant and bar, not jail and then laid the carpet over that. The rubber matting keeps the carpet up directly out of any moisture and allows it to run out of the shed. It does get wet sometimes but dries quickly and the olefin for outside carpet works pretty well.

Any synthetic or polypropylene fiber will work outside but may fade if in direct sunlight so be mindful of the color you choose. Another pretty cool idea for using carpet outside (or sort of) is in the garage. A friend of mine actually has pink olefin carpet in his garage. Yes you heard me right, pink outside carpeting in his garage! Yes he’s married and it wasn’t his wife’s idea, I won’t get into why he choose pink, but it actually doesn’t look that bad.

You would think that using outdoor carpet in your garage would be a bad idea because it would get all stained and covered with oil. It does a little if you have a car leaking oil, but my friend’s car is pretty new and he keeps a large matt underneath the area where the condensation from the AC drips. Sure it gets stained from time to time, but his reasoning is, it’s easier to replace dirty carpet then have the concrete floor get permanently damaged. Although I didn’t think I would put indoor outdoor carpet in my garage, it might not be such a bad idea. I think I would probably go with the marine outdoor carpet tiles. They’re a lot more resistant to staining and can even be hosed down. Although you would want to make sure you had a sloped garage and nice draining. If not the marine tiles, some type of olefin tile that would be easier to replace tiles that got stained. There is something cool about being able to vacuum your garage.

I’ve also seen people use olefin an outside carpeting to cover balconies which ads a nice warm and homey feeling to that type of outdoor space. Of course we’ve all seen it in screened in patios and porches, but not so often on balconies.

What types of places can you think of using carpet outside?