.carpet-calculator {
font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
padding: 25px;
border-radius: 8px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
max-width: 700px;
margin: 20px auto;
}
.carpet-calculator h2, .carpet-calculator h3 {
color: #2c3e50;
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.carpet-calculator-form {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 20px;
}
.carpet-calculator .form-group {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
}
.carpet-calculator .full-width {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
}
.carpet-calculator label {
margin-bottom: 5px;
color: #34495e;
font-weight: bold;
font-size: 0.9em;
}
.carpet-calculator input[type="number"], .carpet-calculator select {
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 1em;
width: 100%;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.carpet-calculator .checkbox-group {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 10px;
margin-top: 10px;
}
.carpet-calculator input[type="checkbox"] {
width: auto;
}
.carpet-calculator #landing-dimensions {
display: none; /* Hidden by default */
grid-column: 1 / -1;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 20px;
margin-top: -10px;
}
.carpet-calculator button {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
padding: 15px;
background-color: #3498db;
color: white;
border: none;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 1.2em;
cursor: pointer;
margin-top: 10px;
transition: background-color 0.3s;
}
.carpet-calculator button:hover {
background-color: #2980b9;
}
.carpet-calculator #result {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
margin-top: 20px;
padding: 20px;
background-color: #eaf4ff;
border: 1px solid #b3d7ff;
border-radius: 4px;
text-align: center;
font-size: 1.1em;
}
.carpet-calculator #result h3 {
margin-top: 0;
color: #2c3e50;
}
.carpet-calculator #result p {
margin: 10px 0;
}
.carpet-calculator #result .error {
color: #c0392b;
font-weight: bold;
}
.carpet-calculator .article-content {
margin-top: 30px;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #333;
}
.carpet-calculator .article-content h3 {
text-align: left;
border-bottom: 2px solid #3498db;
padding-bottom: 5px;
margin-top: 25px;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.carpet-calculator-form, .carpet-calculator #landing-dimensions {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
}
function toggleLandingInputs() {
var landingCheckbox = document.getElementById('includeLanding');
var landingDimensionsDiv = document.getElementById('landing-dimensions');
if (landingCheckbox.checked) {
landingDimensionsDiv.style.display = 'grid';
} else {
landingDimensionsDiv.style.display = 'none';
}
}
function calculateCarpet() {
var numStairs = parseFloat(document.getElementById('numStairs').value);
var treadDepth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('treadDepth').value);
var riserHeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('riserHeight').value);
var stairWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('stairWidth').value);
var installationMethod = document.getElementById('installationMethod').value;
var carpetPrice = parseFloat(document.getElementById('carpetPrice').value);
var includeLanding = document.getElementById('includeLanding').checked;
var landingLength = parseFloat(document.getElementById('landingLength').value);
var landingWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('landingWidth').value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result');
if (isNaN(numStairs) || isNaN(treadDepth) || isNaN(riserHeight) || isNaN(stairWidth) || isNaN(carpetPrice)) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter valid numbers in all required fields.';
return;
}
if (numStairs <= 0 || treadDepth <= 0 || riserHeight <= 0 || stairWidth <= 0 || carpetPrice < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Input values must be positive numbers.';
return;
}
var lengthPerStep = treadDepth + riserHeight;
if (installationMethod === 'bullnose') {
lengthPerStep += 2; // Add 2 inches for wrapping around the nose
}
var totalStairLength = lengthPerStep * numStairs;
var totalStairAreaInches = totalStairLength * stairWidth;
var totalStairAreaFeet = totalStairAreaInches / 144;
var totalAreaFeet = totalStairAreaFeet;
if (includeLanding) {
if (isNaN(landingLength) || isNaN(landingWidth) || landingLength <= 0 || landingWidth <= 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter valid dimensions for the landing.';
return;
}
var landingAreaInches = landingLength * landingWidth;
var landingAreaFeet = landingAreaInches / 144;
totalAreaFeet += landingAreaFeet;
}
var wasteFactor = 1.15; // 15% waste for cuts and matching
var totalAreaWithWasteFeet = totalAreaFeet * wasteFactor;
var totalAreaYards = totalAreaWithWasteFeet / 9;
var totalCost = totalAreaYards * carpetPrice;
var resultHTML = 'Carpet Stairs Calculator
Waterfall
Bullnose (Wrapped)
How to Calculate Carpet for Stairs
Calculating the amount of carpet needed for a staircase can be tricky. Unlike a flat room, stairs have multiple dimensions that must be accounted for. This calculator simplifies the process by breaking it down into key measurements, helping you estimate your material needs and costs accurately.
Understanding the Measurements
- Number of Stairs: The total count of individual steps in your staircase.
- Tread Depth: The horizontal part of the step that you walk on. Measure from the back of the step to the front edge (the "nose").
- Riser Height: The vertical part of the step. Measure from the top of one tread to the top of the next.
- Stair Width: The side-to-side measurement of the step.
- Landing: A flat platform area at the top, bottom, or middle of a staircase. If your stairs have a landing you wish to carpet, measure its length and width.
Installation Methods: Waterfall vs. Bullnose
The installation method significantly impacts the amount of carpet required.
- Waterfall Method: This is the simpler and more common method. The carpet flows from the back of one tread, over the nose, and straight down the riser to the next tread. It creates a clean, straight line.
- Bullnose (or Wrapped) Method: In this method, the carpet is tightly wrapped around the front edge (nose) of each tread and secured underneath. This provides a more tailored, custom look that highlights the shape of each step. Because the carpet must wrap fully around the nose, this method requires slightly more material, which our calculator accounts for by adding 2 inches per step.
Example Calculation
Let's estimate the carpet for a standard staircase with the following dimensions:
- Number of Stairs: 13
- Tread Depth: 10 inches
- Riser Height: 7.5 inches
- Stair Width: 36 inches
- Installation: Waterfall Method
- Carpet Price: $35 per square yard
Calculation Steps:
- Length per step: 10″ (tread) + 7.5″ (riser) = 17.5 inches.
- Total length for all stairs: 17.5 inches/step * 13 steps = 227.5 inches.
- Total area in square inches: 227.5 inches (length) * 36 inches (width) = 8190 sq. inches.
- Convert to square feet: 8190 sq. inches / 144 = 56.88 sq. feet.
- Add 15% waste factor: 56.88 sq. feet * 1.15 = 65.41 sq. feet. This accounts for cuts and pattern matching.
- Convert to square yards: 65.41 sq. feet / 9 = 7.27 sq. yards. Since carpet is sold in whole units, you'd likely need to purchase 8 sq. yards.
- Estimated Material Cost: 7.27 sq. yards * $35/sq. yard = $254.45.
Note: This calculator provides an estimate for material costs only. The final price will also include padding, tack strips, labor, and removal of old flooring.