Carpet Tack Strip
Carpet tack strips with pre-set wood or concrete nails hold stretch-in carpet around the room edge without glue. Choose wood nails for wood subfloors or concrete nails for concrete, then pick 7/8" regular or 1" extra-wide strips in packs of 100 (4' lengths) or 400 ft cartons.
A carpet tack strip is a thin plywood strip with small angled pins. You nail it around the edge of the room so wall-to-wall carpet can be stretched and held without glue. Match the pre-set nails to the subfloor: wood nails for wood, concrete nails for concrete. Most strips come in 4' (1.21 m) sections you can cut to length; widths include 7/8" regular and 1" extra-wide, sold in packs of 100 or 400 ft cartons.
Compare options such as the Fusion Tack Strip with Wood Nail 7/8" x 4' (pack of 100), the Fusion Tack Strip with Heavy-Duty Concrete Nail 1" x 4' (pack of 100), Traxx Certified 7/8" for Concrete Subfloor (400 ft), and Traxx 1" Extra Wide Premium Birch for Wood Subfloor (400 ft).
For stretch-in work, see Tackless & Smoothedge Tools and Knee Kickers. Pair strips with Carpet Underlayment. Questions about a strip? Contact us.
Frequently asked questions
See all FAQsWhat is a carpet tack strip and why do I need one?
A carpet tack strip is a thin plywood strip with angled gripper pins. It is laid around the edge of the area to be carpeted and holds stretch-in carpet in place without adhesive. Most strips come in 4 ft (1.21 m) sections you can cut to length — see the Fusion Tack Strip with Wood Nail 7/8" x 4' (pack of 100) or a Traxx 1" Extra Wide Premium Birch carton for wood subfloors.
How do I choose a tack strip for a concrete or a wood subfloor?
Choose strips with nails already set for your subfloor: wood nails for wood, concrete nails for concrete. For concrete, compare the Fusion Tack Strip with Heavy-Duty Concrete Nail 1" x 4' (pack of 100) and Traxx Certified 7/8" for Concrete Subfloor (400 ft). For wood, see the Fusion 7/8" wood-nail pack or Traxx Premium Birch 1" for wood.
Which way should the pins on a carpet tack strip face?
The gripper pins are set in staggered rows at about a 60-degree angle. Install the strip with the pins pointing toward the wall. Lay strips out first in a dry fit so you see where full lengths fit and where to cut, then nail them with the built-in nails. For stretch tools, see Tackless & Smoothedge Tools.
How far from the wall do I install carpet tack strip?
Leave about 3/8 in (0.95 cm) between the strip and the wall so the carpet edge can tuck into the gap after stretching. Keep that gap consistent around the room, including at doorways where you cut strips to fit. Need underlayment under the carpet field? See Carpet Underlayment.
What tools do I need to install carpet on tack strip?
Besides the tack strips themselves, stretch-in carpet usually needs tools to seat and tension the carpet on the pins. See Tackless & Smoothedge Tools and Knee Kickers, and more options under Carpet Installation Tools. Questions about a tool? Contact us.
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