The strips hold the carpet in place and also keep it stretched and free of wrinkles.

How Tack Strips Are Used

In a normal installation, the tack strips are installed around the perimeter of the room before the padding is laid down. The procedure usually goes like this:

Where to Purchase Tack Strips

Tack strips are available at carpet specialty stores but are also commonly available at most hardware stores and home improvement centers. In professional installations, the cost of the tack strips and their installation are part of the quoted cost of installing the padding and the carpet.