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The Best Flooring Aesthetics For Your Stairs
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best flooring for stairs

  • Flooring
  • September 14, 2022

The Best Flooring Aesthetics For Your Stairs

For some homeowners, the staircase sold them on the home. You enter to a dramatic, sweeping staircase that carries you up to the second floor. It’s the centerpiece for the entryway, which adds to the aesthetics of your space.

Yet no matter how much you love your stairs, sometimes the idea of selecting the best flooring product can be a bit intimidating. What’s the right flooring for your stairs? Should it match the lower level, or feed into the upper level?

The material you use for your stairs is incredibly important to your home’s overall functionality and durability. It’s more than looks alone. Here are a few points to keep in mind while finalizing your decision.

Foot traffic

Families need and require different things to ensure a well-functioning home. Selecting flooring should be determined by how many people use the stairs each day, and how they will stand up to that traffic over time.

  • Kids race up and down as they play between floors
  • Adults move up and down between home offices and common areas
  • Elderly may need more safety features
  • Pets need soft spaces, especially as they age

The Best Flooring Aesthetics For Your StairsSome homeowners install flooring based on what was on the stairs before. We feel you should base your decision on what best suits the functionality of your home. Softly moving up and down each step is entirely different than the constant pounding of teenagers flying up and down multiple times per day.

Noise

Typically, main levels have living space, kitchens, and entryways to the outside. Second levels have bedrooms, home offices, and reading nooks.

Do you have light or heavy sleepers? Do you have early risers or people that stay up all night? A mixture inside a home requires flooring that best suits those who live there. If a teenager is thumping up and down the stairs all night, it might be difficult for a light sleeper.

Keep in mind that there are many different ways to get the look you want and combine it with noise level reduction too. Want hardwood? Consider stair runners for a sophisticated look. That’s where working with one of our flooring experts can help you find the right solution.

Safety

How many stairs are included in your staircase, five, ten, fifteen? While stairs can create a sweeping, dramatic look, they can also create a hazard. Take steepness into mind when finalizing your flooring options for the stairs. Slipping can be shocking and dangerous.

A lot of flooring materials are designed specifically to help with safety. Look at these materials, and find a way to incorporate them into your final design. Carpet is always one of the safest materials for stairs, as they provide traction as well as soften falls. Even if you’re looking for a way to carry your flooring throughout your home – you have hardwood everywhere you can – there are still ways to make your stairs safer with additional features. Again, a carpet runner may be ideal in this situation, as it adds safety and a pop of color.

Durability

High-traffic areas are always some of the most difficult areas to finalize flooring decisions for. You want classic good looks, but for longevity, you have to select the best materials.

Hardwood, by nature, is hard; it will be more durable than soft fibers of carpet. Even in the best conditions, carpet will last 7 to 10 years, whereas hardwood can last for decades. Hardwood may cost more, but may be a better solution when you factor in longevity. It all depends on your needs.

If you choose carpet, and there are great reasons to use it, spend time selecting one that will handle well in high traffic areas. This will increase durability and help it look better over time.

Comfort

If you’ve ever stood on a hard surface all day, you know how it can impact your overall comfort. Hard surfaces like concrete or stone are notorious for longevity and durability, but if you’ve stood on them with your socks on for any length of time, you know just how uncomfortable they can be.

Now add that uncomfortable feeling when you’re traveling up and down the stairs all day, even pounding up and down as you forget things. It can add a lot of pressure to your well-being.

Softer materials may be a more comfortable choice in busy households. It can also add color and patterns to the aesthetics of the surrounding environment. Of course, this should blend in with the overall ambiance of your home.

Cleaning and maintenance

Stairs are usually one of the most high-traffic areas in your home. Because there’s usually only one way up and down, the center part of the stairs will receive a lot of foot traffic. That means you’ll be cleaning the stairs regularly. Hardwood is easier to wipe clean. You can vacuum dust and debris, and wipe down messes easily. Carpet will accumulate debris in its fibers over time. Lower quality carpet may mat easier, and require updating before the rest of your carpet shows wear.

No matter what you choose, be sure you have the appropriate cleaning tools available to make the job easy. A brush attachment can help pick up debris in the corners, further protecting the flooring material over time.

Budget

If you’ve ever priced installing new flooring to stairs, you know there are additional material and labor costs to consider. That may be enough to sway you one way or another when finalizing your decision.

The good news is almost any type of flooring material will work on stairs.

Whether you have an idea in mind, or have avoided upgrading your flooring out of uncertainty as to how to handle the stairs, we can help you finalize your decision and pick a material you’ll love for years to come.

Conclusion

If you have any additional questions about selecting the best flooring material for your stairs, stop by our showroom or give us a call today. We’ve helped families all over the Rocky Mountain region select the right flooring material to suit their needs. We’re happy to help you finalize your choice.

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  • Flooring
  • July 10, 2020

What’s The Best Flooring For Stairs?

When you bought your home, curb appeal set the stage. As you drove up, you assessed the looks in a matter of seconds.

But once you said “yes” to curb appeal, your next opinion was formed based on opening the front door. Was it closed in? Did it set a dramatic stage? Was it dark and ugly? Was it wide open and inviting?

A lot of that was formed on the staircase. And while most people never list the staircase as their number one remodeling project, with just a little creativity, it can change the entire layout of your home.

The architectural details may give you your floor plan for decorating, it’s the flooring itself that transforms the room. Your choice can also make it easier or more difficult for individual family members to move about. Have small children? Pets? Elderly family members? Your final choice for your stair flooring matters.

Like every room in your home, what you install on your stairs is a personal choice. But we do have recommendations for the best flooring for stairs, depending on your needs and desires.

How to choose the best flooring for stairs

If you have a staircase in your home, it connects the different rooms together. To move from living space to bedrooms, you take the stairs. As you do laundry and clean up messes, you use the stairs. If you counted it up, your family might use them dozens of times each day.

Stair use isn’t the same as how flooring is used in a family room or bedroom. It takes more wear and tear. It’s on display more than other rooms. It also has a safety factor. That makes finding the right flooring more important than ever.

Consider maintenance

What’s The Best Flooring For Stairs?Like other rooms, you’ll have to maintain the flooring on the stairs frequently. A stain resistant carpet will ensure you don’t track things as you move from one level to another. Hardwood floors will be prone to scratching if you don’t clean up dust and debris frequently, or install a runner to help reduce it from accumulating. Laminate is often a good choice because it stands up to scratches, stains, wear, and fade-resistance better than other types of flooring.

Safety

In many cases, you’ll move up and down the stairs quickly. And with your hands full, it’s also one of the most potentially dangerous places in your home for accidents. Think about slipping as you make your final choice. Hardwood and socks can be a dangerous combination.

Noise reduction

Have you ever been in a place where it echoes as you walk across the floor? That’s the last thing you want in your home, especially if you’re trying to keep small children asleep, or you work from home. The flooring you choose can aid in how much you hear each step your family makes. Carpet is one of the first choices in flooring for noise absorption, the padding will take in the sound and muffle it well. Laminate alone can create a noisy environment. However, you can install underlayments that will help hide sound reasonably well. That often is why homeowners select laminate and match it up with their hardwood located on the first and second floors. However, if you want to keep your hardwood in place, adding a runner may be the perfect choice for your needs.

Aesthetics

No matter what vision you hold for the stairs in your home, aesthetics is always important. Transition between the different levels should be smooth no matter what flooring choice you decide on. If you’re a wood person and you’re concerned about looks if you don’t carry it throughout your home, stop worrying. There are many ways to create a continuous look while increasing safety and comfort at the same time. Just ask – we’re here to help.

Looking at the best flooring options for your stairs

Now that you have a better understanding of what’s required to care for your stairs and keep your family safe as they move up and down, let’s look at the pros and cons of the different flooring choices.

Hardwood

There’s no denying that hardwood on stairs creates a timeless beauty. If you’re a fan of hardwood and have used it throughout your home, chances are you’ll want hardwood flooring on your stairs as well. Hardwood is easy to care for, easy to clean. Adding hardwood to your stairs can give you beauty as well as ease of use for years to come.

Just keep in mind that hardwood can also be dangerous with non-slip treads. If your family is most often found running around in socks, it could be a potential hazard, especially for kids and elderly. You’ll have to use runners to add more traction, or change your family’s habits and convince them to wear slippers with traction or hard-soled bottoms.

You should also keep in mind that hardwood stairs will be noisier than other options. You’ll hear every footfall, especially as you pound up and down the staircase in a hurry. You’ll also notice every creak as they appear.

Runners

For many homeowners that desire hardwood, the easiest way to reduce the downfalls is to install a runner down the middle. There are many beautiful, low cost options to adding a soft surface that will make them safer as well as cut down on the noise. What’s better, runners are easy to change out as you upgrade your decor.

Laminate

If you’re stuck on the idea of hardwood to match the aesthetics of your home, but want something a little easier to care for, the solution may be to install laminate on the stairs. It’s not as long-lasting as hardwood, but it’s less expensive, which means it’s easier to replace and still stick to a budget.

Carpet

There are a lot of reasons why carpet is a great choice to add to your stairs.

  • It’s budget friendly
  • It’s soft underfoot
  • It reduces the noise throughout your home
  • It’s safer, reducing slippage and the potential of falling

When you add carpet to your stairs, be sure you keep a good handheld vacuum nearby to help clean up the dust and dirt that will fall into the nooks and cracks as you go about your busy days. You should also be prepared to replace your carpet frequently to keep it looking good, especially if it’s creating a grand entrance from the moment you walk in. Be sure to discuss this with one of our associates, and we can show you the most durable materials for stair use.

Create a stunning look by selecting the right flooring for your stairs

Your stairs are one of the most important, high traffic surfaces in your home.

If you want good looks as well as high functioning materials, stop by today and let us help you create your desired look. We have the perfect solutions for your staircases just waiting for you.

Create the look you’ll love for years to come today. 

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  • Flooring
  • March 31, 2018

Redoing Your Stairs? What’s The Best Flooring Choice

Selecting new flooring for specific rooms in your home is fairly straightforward. With Colorado’s two-story living, many families lay hardwood on the main level to cover living space, kitchens, and dining rooms. Then they opt for softer, warmer carpet in the upstairs bedrooms.

But what about the stairs leading up from the main level to the second? Should you cover them with hardwood? Or should you cover them with carpet?

What should you consider?Redoing Your Stairs? What’s The Best Flooring Choice

Safety

While hardwood creates a sleek, modern feel to your home and can present a dramatic entry to your home, they can also be dangerous. Hardwood stairs can be slippery. And if you do fall, there isn’t any cushion. If you have children or seniors in your home, that can be a problem.

Having carpet on the stairs doesn’t necessarily prevent falls, but it will provide more traction and cushion the fall if it happens. If you carpet your stairs, look at the thickness. Carpet that is too thick can become a tripping hazard over time. Also look for a low-pile carpet to ensure safety.

You can compromise between the two and install stair treads, which are non-slip pads installed on your hardwood stairs. They provide style, safety, and functionality.

Cleaning

Wood flooring provides a low maintenance option for your home. Hardwood doesn’t accumulate dust or allergens in the same manner as carpeting, and cleaning involves occasional sweeping and mopping.

Carpeting your stairs requires more work. Since carpet can harbor dirt and dust, it is important to use a high quality vacuum on a regular basis. Stains are inevitable with carpeting, so it’s also a good idea to have a spot cleaner at hand, especially if you have an active household with pets and kids.

Wear and Tear

Your stairs are often one of the highest traffic areas in your home. Carpet can start to show that wear very quickly if you don’t select the right carpet for the job. Pick colors that can handle daily use. Darker colors can help repel dirt and make it look cleaner for the long term. Texture can also help you hide wear and tear.

While hardwood keeps its good looks for years, think about your daily activity. Pets nails can wreak havoc on hardwood, especially if they are up and down all day. And because hardwood is slippery, it can be more dangerous for pets to move around your home, especially if they are older.

Sound

Wood stairs don’t provide much sound absorption. You may hear every step being taken, no matter what time of the day.

Carpet serves as an insulator, blocking out sounds that are more noticeable. To create a quiet environment, carpet is the logical choice.

Appearance

This is where your personality comes into play. What are your preferences? What style represents your home? For homes with dramatic entryways and hardwood throughout, carpet staircases can feel outdated and out of place. If your home has a mixture, carpeting may be the better choice.

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