How To Glue Carpet To Wood

Things Needed

  • Shop towel or rag

  • Spray adhesive or contact cement

  • Latex gloves

  • Nose mask

  • Utility knife

From covering wood floors to concrete, carpeting is durable, requires minimum maintenance and is available in a variety of colors. When gluing carpet to wood, it is important to measure and cut the carpet before applying the glue. Also work in a well-ventilated area since the type of glue used to complete the task has a strong odor. Once the task is complete, vacuum and maintain the carpeted surface regularly to keep it from becoming grimy.

Using Spray Adhesive

Step 1

Lay the piece of carpet upside-down on a flat surface so the back of the carpet is facing up.

Step 2

Wipe the carpet's backing with a shop towel or rag to remove any loose dust and dirt from the backing.

Step 3

Spray the piece of carpet with an even layer of spray adhesive. Wear latex gloves and a nose mask for protection.

Step 4

Place the piece of carpet adhesive side down onto the wood surface. Press or walk on the carpet to adhere it to the wood surface.

Step 5

Trim any excess carpet from the wood surface, if necessary, using a utility knife.

Using Contact Cement

Step 1

Lay the piece of carpet upside-down on a flat surface so the back of the carpet is facing up.

Step 2

Wipe the carpet's backing with a shop towel or rag to remove any loose dust and dirt from the backing.

Step 3

Apply an even layer of contact cement to the carpet's backing. Apply an even layer of contact cement to the wood's surface. Wear latex gloves and a nose mask. Let the contact cement dry for 15 minutes.

Step 4

Touch the cement. If the cement is sticky, the contact cement is not dry enough.

Step 5

Place the piece of carpet adhesive side down onto the wood surface. Press or walk on the carpet to adhere it to the wood surface. Use a utility knife to trim any excess carpet from the wood surface, if needed.

Tip

Use heavy-duty scissors to trim off any excess carpet from the wood surface if you are not comfortable using a utility knife or you have an excessive amount of carpet to trim.

Warning

Thin carpets adhere poorly with spray adhesive–always use contact cement.

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