Carpet Installation in Georgia

Carpet installation looks simple from the doorway: old carpet out, new carpet in. The parts that decide how it looks and wears are less visible, such as where the seams fall, which pad goes underneath and how tightly the carpet is stretched. This page covers those steps for homeowners across metro Atlanta and links to our carpet page for each city.

Measuring rooms and planning seams

Broadloom carpet is made in rolls of fixed width, most often 12 feet, so any room wider than the roll needs a seam. Part of measuring is deciding where those seams go: ideally out of main walkways, running toward the main light source where possible, and away from doorways where foot traffic pulls on them.

Patterned carpet needs extra material so the pattern can line up across seams and from room to room. The pile direction should also run the same way throughout, or adjoining pieces will look like slightly different shades.

Choosing carpet and pad together

Carpet styles range from cut pile, which feels soft, to loop and cut-and-loop styles that hide footprints and handle traffic differently. Fiber matters too: nylon recovers well from crushing, polyester holds color and costs less, and wool feels natural but needs more care.

The pad is not an afterthought. Most carpet manufacturers specify a pad thickness and density, and a pad that is too thick or too soft can let the backing flex until seams separate or ripples form. For basements and other spaces over concrete, a pad with a moisture barrier may be suggested.

What happens on installation day

Furniture is moved, the old carpet and pad are pulled up and the floor is inspected. This is the time to screw down squeaky subfloor panels and deal with any stains or damage, because those spots will be covered for years. Tack strip is replaced where it is loose or worn, the pad is laid and stapled or glued, and the carpet is cut, seamed and pulled tight with a power stretcher so it stays flat as it ages. Edges are tucked at the walls and finished at doorways.

Stairs and transitions to other floors

Stairs are measured and quoted separately because each step is cut and fitted by hand. A waterfall style lets the carpet flow over the nose of each step, while a wrapped or upholstered style tucks it tightly under the nose for a tailored look. Where carpet meets tile, hardwood or vinyl, a transition strip is chosen to suit the height difference between the two floors. If you are weighing hard flooring for some rooms, our vinyl and LVP flooring page and the staircase remodeling page cover those options.

Reading a written estimate

Carpet is usually sold by the square yard, and the estimate should show the quantity, the extra included for seams and pattern matching, the carpet and pad selected, the number of stairs, tack strip, transitions, removal and disposal of the old flooring, and whether furniture moving is included. Any subfloor repair found after the old carpet comes up should be explained and agreed in writing before it is done.

Permits and carpet projects

Replacing carpet alone is a surface change. If your project also involves replacing subfloor, structural repairs or electrical and plumbing changes, ask your local building department, at the city or county, about whether a permit is needed.

Carpet installation by city

Our carpet installation pages for individual cities are listed here.

Frequently asked questions about carpet installation

Does the pad really make a difference under new carpet?

Yes. The pad absorbs footsteps, affects how soft the floor feels and supports the carpet backing. If it is thicker or softer than the carpet maker recommends, the backing can flex too much, which leads to ripples and opened seams. Check the carpet’s specifications for pad thickness and density, and keep in mind that the manufacturer’s warranty may depend on following them.

Why does a carpet estimate include more yardage than my room size?

Rooms rarely match the width of a carpet roll, so some material is trimmed away at walls and seams. Patterned carpet needs more, because each piece has to be shifted until the pattern lines up. Pile direction also has to stay consistent, which limits how leftover pieces can be reused. The estimate should show both the room area and the ordered quantity.

Should I replace squeaky subfloor before new carpet goes down?

It is the easiest time to do it. With the old carpet and pad removed, loose subfloor panels can be screwed to the joists to quiet most squeaks, and damaged sections can be replaced. Once the new carpet is stretched in place, reaching the subfloor means pulling it back up, which can affect the seams and tension.

Ask about your carpet project

Call 404-409-4448 to tell us which rooms and stairs you want carpeted. We can come out to measure, go over carpet and pad choices with you and give you a written estimate.