Installing Free-Formed Carpet

Q: We have wall-to-wall carpeting throughout the house and I am going to install vinyl tiles in my dining room. I will be cutting and attaching an area of carpeting with a slight curve to it. I want to free form the carpet at the end of the tiles without using one of those metal or plastic strips usually installed on ends of carpet. What would I use to tuck the carpet under and attach it to the new tile flooring? What would I use to keep the carpet down?

A: The best thing to use for laying carpeting free form is a metal strip called a Z-bar. This bar is installed under the carpet rather than on top and secured to the floor with special nails. Then the carpet is stretched over the top of the metal and tucked under the side of the Z-bar that is not secured. After the carpet is tucked under, the strip is bent down to hold it in place.

It is important that the carpet be properly stretched, which can be especially tricky on free-form areas. If you can't get satisfactory results on your own, remember that professional carpet-cleaning companies which also offer carpet repairs and stretching will have the proper tools, training, and expertise to get the job done right.

Kathy Maynard has been matching homeowners with home improvement contractors since 1990 and has written scores of articles advising homeowners how to find, hire and work with reputable service professionals. She also authors Weekend Warrior, a weekly home improvement column in The Sacramento Bee.