Indoor/outdoor carpet is perfect for screened-in porches because the carpet is relatively inexpensive as well as resistant to mildew and stains. It's a much better choice than standard indoor carpet for giving your porch a more finished look, and it sure beats the heck out of a bare concrete slab! And installation is easy; all you need is double-sided tape or glue, depending on how exposed the carpet will be.
Materials:
indoor/outdoor carpet
measuring tape
straightedge
utility knife with extra blades
double-sided tape or adhesive and a trowel, depending on where you install the carpet
- Measure the length and width of your room. Add 6 inches to each measurement, and multiply the two numbers. That is how much carpet you'll need to buy (the extra six inches per side will help ensure that you have enough carpet).
- Clear everything out of the room/area you're going to carpet, and make sure the floor is clean and smooth.
- Outline the edges of the room with double-sided tape, and use the tape to make X marks (about 6"x6") about every 2 feet on the floor (figure A ). Leave the backing on the "up" side of the tape.
- Lay the carpet in place, centering it in the room so that you have some excess on every side.
- Fold the carpet back halfway and remove the backing from the tape in the exposed area of the floor.
- Replace the carpet and press down firmly so the carpet sticks to the tape.
- Fold back the remainder of the carpet and repeat this process in that area.
- Smooth the carpet down toward and along the walls. Use a straightedge to push the carpet into the corners.
- Trim away the excess carpet with a utility knife. You might have to make several passes with the knife, and be sure to use a very sharp blade for a clean cut.
* If you want a really snug fit along the walls, leave the backing on the tape around the perimeter of the room (not on the Xs). This will allow you to make minor adjustments until you have the carpet just right.
- Trim the carpet around any corners or doorjambs to get a good fit. To do this, press the carpet firmly against the bottom of whatever you're working around, and cut from each end of this obstacle upward toward the center of it, making an upside-down V (figure B).
- Then fold down the sides (figure C) and trim away the center of the V like you did the other edges in the room.
- Walk along the perimeter of the room, tamping the carpet edges into place on the tape with your feet.
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