There are 3 Main Methods to Cut Carpet and these are Making Clean Cuts, Cutting Carpet for Installation, and Removing Old Carpet, and these 3 Methods have their own broken down instructions
Making Clean Cuts:
- Start with a carpet knife
- Place the tip of the carpet knife against the carpet
- Drag the blade along in a straight line
- Replace your knife blade as needed
Cutting Carpet for Installation:
- Measure your work area
- Work a few feet at a time
- Make your cuts on the backside of the carpet
- Cut carefully around corners, contours and openings
Removing Old Carpet
- Use the tip of the knife to open up a hole in the carpet
- Pull up on the loose carpet with your free hand
- Continue cutting the carpet as you pull it up
- Pry up the outer edge of the carpet
- Dispose of any remaining materials.
As simple as cutting carpet may appear, there is an art to getting the job done correctly. Knowing the finer aspects of cutting carpet can help you save time and money.
Make sure your carpet knife is sharp enough so you can do tasks swiftly and with precision and control. Once that’s taken care of, it’s only a question of ensuring the carpet is matched to the room arrangement in order to prevent any potential mistakes.
Making Clean Cuts
Start with a carpet knife.
If you’re just using this tool to cut carpet, then this will be the most essential (and perhaps the only) item you’ll need. It is better to use a normal utility knife instead of anything like an X-Acto knife or razor, although an X-Acto utility knife may still be an option. Regardless of what tool you choose, make sure the edge is razor sharp.
If you’re wondering what carpet knife is a good fit for you, you can check our Best Carpet Knives Review.
Take a minute to install a fresh blade before you begin if you’re using a utility knife with a detachable blade.
Using a portable electric carpet cutting tool may also be an option. You may assist avoid the challenge of hand cutting by using these versatile instruments.
Place the tip of the carpet knife against the carpet.
You should grip the carpet knife with your dominant hand, since that is the side with the more pronounced cutting edge. Once you have placed the blade at your starting position on the carpet, point the blade downward and lightly touch the tip to the surface of the carpet. You should apply just enough pressure to get through the carpet’s thick backing.
Carpet cutting is most often performed on a carpeted floor that has a backing made of a firm, flat surface that is flush with the floor.
It is important to use caution while ramming the blade into the carpet. Your carpet knife may damage or harm the carpet, or perhaps even leave a trace on the surface.
Drag the blade along in a straight line.
Continue to draw the carpet knife back using a steady, smooth motion after inserting the tip into the carpet. You should be able to tell by touch whether the blade cuts through the plywood properly. Move in a straight line with a straightedge in front of you, pausing every few feet to readjust.
Sloppy or uneven cuts may be avoided by keeping your wrist fixed.
Straight edges aren’t required, but if you can feel for one of the seams on the bottom of the backing, it would help. Straight, consistent cuts will be made if you follow the seam.
Replace your knife blade as needed.
After slicing through many feet of strong backing material, your original blade will soon lose its edge. In order to maintain the project’s progress, it is a good idea to have a fresh blade on hand. When working with a dull blade, you are just going to waste time.
It may seem like a nuisance to have to stop and replace blades every few minutes, but in the long run it will save you time and effort.
Cutting carpet for Installation
Measure your work area.
Measure the length and breadth of the room you are carpeting, and then use a tape measure to determine the length and width of the carpeting. By determining how much carpet you’ll need, you’ll have a more concrete notion of what you’ll have to purchase. Cutting each piece to the correct specs will also be simpler.
Carpet rolls are available in 12-foot widths, so you should definitely take this into consideration when determining the best method to cover the floor.
To determine the interior area of the room, first find the length of the room (in feet) and then multiply that number by the width of the room.
Work a few feet at a time.
To create a professional-looking carpet, you must put in the time and effort to care for each area equally. While you’re moving, separate the carpet into manageable pieces to make it easier to remove. Start with two or three feet of distance between you and the workpiece, then slide back to the same location and continue cutting.
In addition to serving as a guide for drawing straight lines, the roll itself may serve as a handy reference.
Make your cuts on the backside of the carpet.
Always follow the instructions when using your carpet knife, and if you have the room, follow these steps: Roll the carpet roll up and run the carpet knife over the backing to create a cleaner cut with less fuss or guessing. The firm, flat backing will save you from struggling to get through the dense pile.
Indicate the area where you need to cut by marking the area with a pencil or a permanent marker. You can also use the intersecting seams as a helpful visual reference.
As you fold the carpet, it helps provide a more stable surface to cut on, eliminating the risk of damaging the flooring underneath.
Cut carefully around corners, contours and openings.
Some plans may need room for a fireplace, a portion of flooring, or other features. To get an accurate estimate of how much carpet has to be trimmed, it is important to measure these regions first. Before committing to the cut, score the carpet gently on the first pass.
A quick prototype using cardboard may save you time in the long run.
Professional make-up artists and hairdressers are most equipped to handle complex cuts.
Removing old Carpet
Use the tip of the knife to open up a hole in the carpet.
Start with a piece of wall some distance away from the floor. The incision should be at least 4-5 inches long to make removing your hand simple.
It will be advantageous in rooms that are big or strangely shaped since you won’t be able to remove the carpet in one piece.
Pull up on the loose carpet with your free hand.
Remove the carpet off the floor by reaching through the slit you just made. You no longer have to worry about the floor since you may cut with your knife safely away from it.
You may have to work a bit to start the carpet using hand motions. Until you can get a firm grip on it, use a putty knife to chip away at one side.
Continue cutting the carpet as you pull it up.
Lifting and slashing actions should enable you to cut away significant sections of your material in a short amount of time. When you reach the end of the cord, turn around and get a fresh hold on the loose end. Peel the piece, wrap it up, and put it somewhere out of the way, once you’ve sliced all the way across it.
Precision and delicacy are unnecessary since you’ll be tossing away the old carpet.
Don’t rush. Accidents happen when you haste.
Pry up the outer edge of the carpet.
The carpet should be pulled out of all the corners and walls afterwards using a claw hammer, pry bar, or pliers. That way, there will be no resistance when we pick it up and it won’t get caught on anything. Start by loosening the carpet’s borders. Next, go around the room and loosen the remainder of the carpet.
Use a utility knife to remove the carpet from the baseboards if you are having difficulty.
You may roll up the carpet after it has been cut and untied, then take it out and get rid of it.
Dispose of any remaining materials.
Toward the end of the day, be sure to check under the carpet for anything that may have been missed. Clear the area of debris by using a floor scraper to dig out any glue or staple remnants, and then vacuum to remove the detritus. You will next be able to apply fresh carpet, hardwood, tile, or laminate once you’ve finished with your current project.
The carpet must be disposed of once the job is completed if you don’t want to reuse it. Clear any clumps of glue or staple residue using a floor scraper.
The shop vac is the ideal option for gathering loose threads, dust, and other miscellaneous items that are left after the removal of parts.
Weldon is a Single Dad who loves teaching others about the workaround in the house. He loves to write about DIY and Home Improvement Hacks and just recently had his first child. You’ll have some fun read with his write-ups and more of his works in his own home!
