How to
lay Tackless strip Correctly by Michael Lassetter June 10, 2009
Tackless strip is just tackstrip, right? No! Tackstrip has a very important role in the installation of carpet in many applications. Following is an explanation of the types of tackstrip, its various uses, and tips to remember when selecting and installing tackstrip. Types of Tackless strip
Q.E.P./Roberts
10-750 Carpet Installation Tool Kit
Pin Height
Length of the Tackless strip
Bevel Angle of the Tackstrip
Aluminum Tackstrip Aluminum tackstrip is an effective alternative when layinging carpet in areas where water damage, termite damage and other types of damage to plywood strips are risks. It is also a practical solution for high traffic areas such as entry ways and doorways where tall pins penetrate through carpet and pose danger. Shorter than J-pins, aluminum strips 1/8-inch pins are angled to grip through the carpet instead of sticking up through it. Aluminum carpet tackstrip can be installed with any carpet, but it is particularly useful with low-profile carpet. The tackstrip is 1-inch wide, over 240 pins per 4-foot length and contains a groove for adhesive beading when nailing is not feasible. It will not rust or rot and is made with 100% high strength aluminum. Problems That Can Occur When Using the Incorrect Tackstrip 1. The one-inch strip contains nails that are farther from the wall. Tackstrip that is narrower in width can cause more missed hits and increased damage to the wood or painted wallbase. 2. Tackstrip that is narrower than one-inch in width makes it more difficult to attach the carpet to the tackstrip, especially with heavily latexed carpet backings or over a thick cushion. Note: Cushion should never be higher than the tackstrip. 3. Narrower widths of tackstrip are not a strong as wider ones, causing a greater risk of broken tackstrips and an increased need for double stripping. Tackstrip Use Appropriate tackstrip must be used for different substrates and carpet backings. Gypcrete, also called elasticel or acoustical concrete: tackstrip is available prenailed with a 1-1/4 inch spiral shank concrete nail for this specialty concrete. Architectural and Tri-tack tackstrip are to be used with most woven carpets, carpets with heavily latexed backs, berber style carpets and on any areas that exceed 30-feet in length. It is acceptable to double the 1-inch tackstrip. Installation of Tackstrip 1. The tackstrip is securely fastened around the perimeter of the room with the pins pointing toward the wall. 2. The gully, which is the space between the edge of the tackstrip and the wall, is slightly less than the thickness of the carpet; not to exceed 3/8-inch. 3. lay the tackstrip to follow the exact contours of the walls. The tackstrip must be cut to the proper lengths to accomplish this. 4. A minimum of two (2) nails must be used to secure each section of tackstrip to the floor. 5. The tackstrip may be glued to certain types of flooring when nails are not an option, such as with radiant heated floors or drainage systems. Tackstrip nails cannot be driven into conduit or tubing. 6. Urethane construction adhesive sets up quickly and is stronger than normal construction adhesive. 7. Tackstrip can also be layeded using hot-melt adhesive designed for this procedure. 8. Carpet should never be stapled to the tackstrip. 9. When installing carpet onto all substrates, the tackstrip must be properly secured. 10. Do not place tackstrip in doorways or across openings to rooms where the carpet flows continuously and is not interrupted by different types of flooring surfaces. 11. Avoid installing tackstrip to join two carpets at an inside doorway or across door openings. 12. The carpet sections are to be seamed. Tackstrip Recommendations for Double-Glue Installations 1. Tackstrip can be used, but is not necessary. If tackstrip is not used, it is recommended that wallbase be layinged. If vinyl or rubber wallbase is used, it must have toe. 2. If tackstrip is used, the carpet edges can be tucked into the gully and secured without the use of wallbase. This procedure positions and holds the carpet in place during the curing of the adhesive. 3. The use of tackstrip is determined by the thickness of the cushion and carpet to assure that the pins do not penetrate through the carpet. If tackstrip is used, the cushion must be at least as thick as the tackstrip or at least -inch in height or it will create a picture framing appearance because the cushion is thinner than the tackstrip. 4. Tackstrip also assists during patterned carpet alignment by maintaining stretch as needed. 5. If difficult situations should arise, the use of tackstrip will assist in solving the problem. 6. Use shorter pinned tackstrip with lower-pile height carpets. If not available, shorten the height of the pins by using binding tape, ActionBac backing or similar products. Tackstrip Recommendations for Aligning Patterns Matching patterned carpet is ALWAYS a challenge. The tools that CFI has introduced or re-introduced to installers in the last 16+ years have certainly made a difference. Should you encounter pattern elongation in a direct-glue installation; a situation that exists when a pattern on a breadth of carpet is larger than the pattern on the adjoining breadth, use the information that appeared in an earlier issue of Floor Covering Installer. This method is designed to take the place of stay nails. Tackstrip on Stairs 1. Tackstrip placement is very important and must be secured to the riser and the tread. 2. The gully is less than twice the thickness of the carpet. 3. Measure the width of the riser to determine the length of the tackstrip. 4. The tackstrip pins point down on the riser, approximately to 1 above the tread. 5. The proper gully must be maintained throughout the tackstrip installation. 6. Secure the tackstrip to the tread with the pins pointing toward the riser above. 7. Next, secure the tackstrip evenly around each spindle, leaving a gully of 3/8 or less. 8. Hold each section in place with a minimum of two nails, pointing the tackstrip pins toward the spindles. As you can see, tackstrip and the correct application of the tackstrip are the trademarks of a professional flooring installer. If you have discovered additional uses for tackstrip, let CFI know so we can share this information with other installers.
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Michael Lassetter
Michael Lassetter is National Director of Technical
Services for CFI. He is the recipient of the Charles R. Gress Award, CFI
Certified Intstaller #3411, and is very proud of his long association with CFI.