Event Carpet Installation Guide

Installing event carpet for the first time can seem tricky, but with the right steps, you can achieve a professional and seamless finish. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from preparing the rolls to securing the final edges.

Step 1: Laying Out and Cutting the Event Carpet

  • Start the First Roll: Unroll your event carpet onto the floor and cut the first piece to the correct length. Leave this piece in place.
  • Maintain Direction: Take the roll back to the starting point and unroll the next piece. It’s crucial that you always unroll from the same end. This is because the direction of the carpet pile can change, and laying rolls in the wrong direction can make the carpet look patchy or multicolored.
  • Allow Extra: When cutting, it’s smart to leave a few extra centimeters on each piece. You can easily trim this off later to ensure a perfect fit.

Step 2: Positioning the Carpet Rolls

  • Place with Precision: Lay each carpet piece next to the previous one, ensuring the seams are tightly butted against each other. Place all the pieces in their final positions before you start taping.
  • Check the Fit: At this stage, you can visually confirm that the pieces fit together almost seamlessly. Take a moment to check that the entire area looks uniform and as you intended. It’s also a good idea to measure the distance to neighboring booths to ensure your entire area is correctly positioned.

Step 3: Taping the Seams and Edges

  • Fold and Access the Seam: Gently fold one carpet piece over about 30 cm to expose the floor beneath the seam. The easiest way to do this is to have a partner help you, or you can use your foot to hold the piece down while you fold the other side back.
  • Choose the Right Tape: Use a low-tack event carpet tape. Approved options include blue low-tack tape or yellow low-tack tape. When you unroll the tape, the side with the weaker adhesive should be facing down, ready to stick to the floor. The stronger adhesive, which is under a protective paper layer, will face up to bond with the carpet. For international installations, we recommend using only the blue NEC-approved low-tack event tape.
  • Apply the Tape: Place the tape so that half of its width (25 mm) is under the edge of the carpet.
  • Secure to the Floor: Walk along the tape to ensure it adheres firmly to the floor.
  • Remove the Liner: Carefully peel off the protective paper liner from the top of the tape. Be cautious, as the edges of this paper can be sharp.
  • Lay and Press: Fold the carpet back down and carefully press the seam together with your hands, ensuring there are no gaps. Walk along the seam to ensure it is firmly attached to the tape in every spot.
  • Tape All Edges: Once all the long seams are taped, carefully lift the outer edges of the carpet and tape them to the floor as well. Make sure the tape is completely hidden under the carpet pieces.

Step 4: Final Touches

  • Lay a Protective Film: If desired, place a protective plastic film over the carpet, overlapping the edges. Secure the film to the floor with packaging tape.

Need More Information?

If you need more help with event carpet installation or choosing the right tape, please feel free to contact us for expert advice.