Question 1

How is carpet measured and sold?

Accepted Answer

In the US, carpet is sold by the square yard. Most rolls come 12 feet wide, so carpet is often calculated by linear feet of a 12-foot roll. Internationally it is sold by the square meter.

Question 2

How much extra carpet should I add for waste?

Accepted Answer

Add 10% extra for rectangular rooms and 20% extra for rooms with odd shapes, alcoves, or pattern matching. This covers cutting, seams, seams matching and future repairs.

Question 3

How much carpet do I need for stairs?

Accepted Answer

A typical straight staircase with 13-14 steps needs about 40-50 square feet (4-5 square yards) of carpet. Wider or winding stairs need more. Add the stair carpet area to your room totals.

Question 4

Should I add carpet padding separately?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Padding is sold by the same area as carpet. Most installers add padding cost per square yard separately, typically $0.50 - $2.00 per sq ft installed.