Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E Tackless strips may seem inappropriately named, as they consist of a strip of wood that's full of tacks pointing upward. They're called tackless because they eliminate the need for tacking carpet from above.
Special tools designed specifically for cutting tackless strips are also available.
Carpet padding should be laid next to the tackless strips but should not overlap them. Once the carpet is held securely, the edges can be tucked under the baseboard. If you're installing carpet over a concrete subfloor, you'll need masonry tacks to hold the tackless strips in place.