Everything you need to know about choosing an installer, measuring your space, selecting installation materials and creating a healthier home from the floor up.
You've chosen your wool carpet. You've found the colour you love. Now comes the next step: getting it installed.
If you've never installed wall-to-wall carpet before, the process can feel a little overwhelming. What kind of installer should you hire? Does the carpet need to be glued down? What about adhesives, seam tape and carpet padding? And how much carpet should you actually order?
These are questions we hear regularly during our 1:1 healthy home consultations at Rugs by Roo.
We believe choosing a healthier carpet is only part of the equation. How it's installed matters, too.
That's why we've put together this guide to help you navigate the process, ask the right questions and feel confident from the first measurement to the finished room.
Our goal is simple: to help you create a comfortable, beautiful space while minimizing unnecessary chemical exposure in your home.
1. Start by Finding the Right Carpet Installer
Our biggest recommendation: Bring your carpet installer in BEFORE you place your carpet order.
This is one of the most important steps in the entire process.
Rather than estimating the amount of carpet you need yourself, we recommend having an experienced carpet installer visit your home first. They can measure the entire space, account for the layout and determine how much carpet you'll need.
A good installer will consider more than just the length and width of your rooms. They'll also account for:
- Closets and walk-in closets
- Hallways and connecting spaces
- Alcoves, recesses and irregular room shapes
- Doorways and other cut-outs
- Carpet roll width and direction
- Seam placement and cutting allowances
Ask your installer to provide a written measurement and material estimate before placing your order.
This helps ensure you purchase enough carpet for the entire project from the beginning.
Why ordering everything at once matters
There are two important reasons to get your measurements right the first time.
1. Avoid additional shipping costs.
Ordering enough carpet for the entire project in one shipment can help you avoid the expense and inconvenience of placing a second order.
2. Keep your carpet colour consistent.
All of our wool carpet is undyed and natural. Its colour comes from the wool itself rather than added dyes.
Because of this, subtle natural variations can occur between different production runs and rolls.
If you need additional carpet later, it may come from a completely different roll. Even if you're ordering the exact same product, we cannot guarantee a 100% colour match.
Ordering the full quantity together is the best way to minimize the possibility of noticeable colour differences throughout your home.
Our advice: Have your installer measure the entire project, confirm the quantity with us and order everything together before installation begins.
2. Choose an Installer Who Has Experience With 100% Wool Carpet
Not all carpet installers have experience working with natural wool carpet.
Wool has different characteristics from synthetic carpet, so it's important to find someone who understands how to handle and install it properly.
When interviewing potential installers, ask:
- Have you installed 100% wool broadloom carpet before?
- Can you share photos or references from previous wool installations?
- Are you familiar with stretch-in installation using tack strips?
- Have you worked with wool carpet pads?
- How do you handle seams between carpet pieces?
- Are you familiar with the correct amount of tension required when stretching wool?
- Will you follow the carpet manufacturer's installation guidelines?
- A note about stretching wool
Wool carpet can stretch well, but it needs to be handled carefully.
Our manufacturer advises installers not to stretch wool too aggressively. Excessive tension can tear or damage the carpet's primary backing.
This is one reason we recommend working with an installer who has experience with wool rather than someone who exclusively installs synthetic carpet.
3. Our Recommended Installation Method: Tack Strips
When it comes to minimizing chemical exposure during carpet installation, our manufacturer's recommendation is to use the tack strip (stretch-in) method.
This is considered the cleanest installation approach because it minimizes the need for adhesives.
Here's how it works.
Tack strips are narrow strips of wood, typically pine, with small gripping pins that hold the carpet in place around the perimeter of the room.
They are mechanically fastened to the subfloor using appropriate nails or staples, rather than relying on glue to secure the carpet around the room.
The carpet is then stretched and secured over the tack strips, with the appropriate wool carpet pad underneath.
This method can avoid the need for full-spread carpet adhesive.
Why we prefer this method
- Minimizes the use of adhesives.
- Avoids gluing the carpet directly to the subfloor.
- Allows the carpet to be secured mechanically around the room.
- Works with an appropriate carpet pad to provide comfort and support.
Of course, the installer should confirm that stretch-in installation is suitable for your specific carpet construction, subfloor and room layout, and follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.
Our recommendation: Before hiring an installer, ask whether they're comfortable using tack strips and a stretch-in method rather than automatically defaulting to glue-down installation.
4. What If Your Installer Wants to Use Adhesive?
Sometimes an installer may recommend adhesive for certain parts of the installation.
If adhesive is necessary, we recommend discussing AFM Safecoat Safe 3-in-1 Adhesive with your installer.
AFM Safecoat is a brand specializing in products designed with indoor environmental quality in mind.
You can find the product here:
AFM Safecoat Safe 3-in-1 Adhesive
Before using it, have your installer confirm that the adhesive is compatible with your particular carpet backing, subfloor and application.
We recommend reviewing the manufacturer's product information and Safety Data Sheet before installation.
A note: Don't assume that every adhesive described as water-based, green or low-VOC is automatically suitable for your project. Always identify the exact product being used.
5. Choosing the Right Seam Tape: STYX or Cool Glide
When installing wall-to-wall carpet, there may be areas where two pieces of carpet need to be joined together.
This is where seam tape comes in.
Traditional carpet seam tape is often heat activated. During installation, the tape is heated to activate the adhesive and join the carpet pieces.
Because heating is involved, we believe it's worth paying attention to the type of seam tape being used.
Our manufacturer recommends looking at lower-VOC alternatives, including:
Option 1: STYX Seam Tape
STYX is a low-VOC seam tape option that can be found through Green Building Supply.
Ask your installer about the exact STYX product and its installation requirements, particularly whether heat is required.
Option 2: Cool Glide
Cool Glide is another option worth discussing with your installer.
One of its key differences is that it does not require heating to join the carpet seams.
This is particularly interesting from an indoor air quality perspective because the heating process associated with conventional heat-activated seam tape is a consideration during installation.
Our manufacturer specifically recommends considering no-heat alternatives where appropriate.
Why does this matter?
The heating process used with conventional seam tape can produce emissions during installation. This is why we recommend discussing the seam tape and installation method with your installer before work begins.
Whichever option you choose, have your installer confirm compatibility with your carpet and follow the seam product manufacturer's instructions.
6. Don't Overlook Your Carpet Pad
The carpet pad underneath your wool carpet is an important part of the installation.
It isn't just there to make the carpet feel softer. The right pad also helps support the carpet and its long-term performance.
At Rugs by Roo, we offer wool carpet padding to complement our natural wool carpet.
Our manufacturer recommends a 6-foot-wide wool carpet pad.
The benefits include:
- Improved carpet performance.
- Support that helps your carpet last longer.
- A softer, more comfortable feel underfoot.
Make sure your installer knows you're supplying a wool carpet pad and is familiar with its installation requirements.
The pad needs to be compatible with the carpet and installed according to the manufacturer's specifications.
7. Your Pre-Installation Checklist
Once you've selected your installer and ordered your carpet and wool pad, there are a few things to coordinate before installation day.
Use this checklist to help keep everything on track.
Before installation
Confirm your installer has measured all rooms, closets and connecting spaces.
Confirm the total carpet quantity and layout.
Confirm your wool carpet and wool pad have arrived.
Have your installer inspect the materials before cutting.
Arrange for furniture and personal belongings to be removed from the work areas.
Discuss removal of existing flooring, if applicable.
Confirm the subfloor is clean, dry and properly prepared.
Confirm that tack strips will be mechanically fastened where appropriate.
Discuss the seam tape being used.
Identify any adhesives or additional products that may be required.
Agree on all installation materials before work begins.
On installation day
Ask your installer to:
- Follow the carpet and pad manufacturer's installation instructions.
- Use the agreed-upon materials and installation methods.
- Avoid overstretching the wool carpet.
- Pay attention to seam placement and carpet tension.
- Follow the safety and ventilation instructions for any adhesives or seam products.
If an adhesive, seam sealer or other product becomes necessary that wasn't discussed beforehand, ask the installer to identify it and review it with you before use.
After installation
Ask your installer for care and maintenance recommendations specific to your wool carpet.
Keep your product information, warranty documentation and details of any installation products used for future reference.
8. A Final Word From Rugs by Roo
We know that installing wall-to-wall wool carpet may be new territory for many homeowners.
It's a bigger project than purchasing an area rug, and there are more decisions to make along the way.
But we also believe these details are worth considering.
When you're investing in natural wool carpet for your home, you want to make sure the entire installation process aligns with the healthy-home goals that led you to choose wool in the first place.
That's why we're here to help.
At Rugs by Roo, we're happy to answer questions about our wool carpet, wool padding, product specifications and ordering quantities. We want you to feel supported throughout the process, not just at the point of purchase.
A healthier home starts with thoughtful choices, right down to the floor beneath your feet.
If you're considering wall-to-wall wool carpet and aren't sure where to start, get in touch. We'd love to help you plan your project.
Rugs by Roo
Natural fibres. Thoughtful choices. A softer place to land.