Top Flooring Options for Stairs

The staircase is a high-traffic area in any home with up and down movement daily. This makes stairs a focal point and a noticeable space that requires style and sturdy flooring material. Because staircases are not water-prone, there are a variety of flooring materials that can suit them.

Factors to Consider When Installing Stairs Flooring

There are various factors you should consider when renovating your staircases:

1. Consider the flooring you have in upstairs and downstairs rooms and choose a harmonious staircase.
2. You should consider your budget; there are high, medium, and low-cost flooring materials in the market.
3. Consider the ease of cleaning. Do you want a staircase that you will vacuum or mop?

If you install a carpet, then it will require regular vacuuming. Most importantly, it would be best if you consider safety and noise levels. You should consider the needs of your family members, especially if you have senior citizens, babies, and pets.

When installing stairs floor, you should prioritize safety, durability, ease of maintenance, and style.

That said, you should also consider the type of staircase you have. Regular stairs are continuous and should do well with different flooring materials. If you have a unique staircase, then it should be left the way it was designed. In case you need to remodel it, you should call an architect to re-design. For example, staircases are designed like ladders.

Flooring Options for Indoor Staircases

Innovations in the flooring industry have given way to many high-quality staircase flooring materials, giving homeowners many near-perfect options. It is possible to install any flooring material, with each having its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

1. Stair Runner Carpet

The flooring is great for stairs. A carpet has good traction making it safe, with no risk of slipping or falling. A carpet is comfortable on the feet, and it is also the most soundproof option around. Besides that, it is also budget-friendly. However, it can be challenging to keep the carpet free from dust, dirt, and allergens. A carpet may also not withstand constant use and may need regular replacement.

The best carpet to use for stairs should be dense and woolen because of reduced chances of allergens.

2. Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)

If the rest of your house is wooden, and you want a non-wooden flooring option, you can consider luxury vinyl tiles. The material gives you the option of a wood-look alike. Nevertheless, you can still install an LVT floor in its own right. LVTs are easy to clean, durable and there are stair-sized planks that make for easy installation on a staircase.

3. Laminate Flooring on Stairs

Laminate flooring has become a popular stairs flooring option. The flooring is durable, of course, not as durable as a hardwood floor. However, it is much more affordable than hardwood. If you also consider the process of installation, it is also easy to install it. This makes it more affordable because you will incur lower installation costs.

4. Luxury Vinyl Flooring on Stairs

Vinyl is a good flooring material for a staircase because it is easy to clean and not slippery. It is also an affordable option that also comes with an easy installation process.

There are different types of vinyl that come in sheets, tiles, and planks. Therefore, when buying vinyl, be sure to buy an appropriate material for your stairs.

5. Hardwood Stairs

You can choose hardwood for your stairs, especially if the rooms upstairs and downstairs have a hardwood floor. Hardwoods are classical and have a timeless beauty. There is a wide range of hardwoods offered at different prices to suit your budget.  You can choose from a variety of tree species. You can also consider engineered hardwood vs. solid hardwood. Unlike carpets, hardwoods are easy to clean, maintain, and good material for stairs.  However, hardwood stairs can be slippery, noisier than other options. It is also more expensive than other flooring types.

How to Make Hardwood Stairs More Slip-resistant and Noise Proof

You can use treads and carpet runners to make hardwood stairs safer and slip-resistant. A carpet runner is a small piece of carpet that doesn’t cover the whole staircase. It is designed to provide traction to the hardwood floor. Additionally, you can also use non-slip treads to add traction to your hardwood floor. They also work like runners, covering only part of the hardwood floor. The materials will also reduce noise. But for more effective noise reduction, you can put a flooring underlayment under the hardwood floor.

6. Stair Tiles

Tiling is a popular flooring option in many homes and is ideal for high-traffic areas like stairs. It is resistant to wear and tear, is water-proof, and boasts of a long life span in the flooring industry. Furthermore, it is also easy to clean tiled stairs. However, tiles are slippery, which can be a safety risk, especially to senior citizens. If all the other rooms in your house have tiles, you may also want to extend it to the stairs.

How to Make Stair Tiles Slip and Noise Resistant

You can also make tiles slip-resistant in several ways to prevent falls. The materials will also reduce the impact of footsteps on the stairs making the tiled stairs less noisy. Select slip-resistant materials that are harmonious in color and design with the upstairs and downstairs room flooring.

You can install carpet runners to give traction to your tile staircase. You can also use non-slip treads on your tiled staircase. Treads are rubber mats with an adhesive backing. There are various options of treads, including budget-friendly options if you are working on a tight budget. There are basic designs and more decorative designs to select from.

You can also use slip-resistant tapes on tiles. However, they are not an attractive method of making your carpet slip-resistant. The advantage is that the tapes have an adhesive and are cut to size, so fitting them is fairly easy and DIY-friendly.

Stair edgings are another way to make your carpet more slip-resistant. They are metallic and work by creating a texture for a grip for your shoes or feet. However, it is a more complicated method because it can damage your stairs if not installed properly. Select a model you can attach using adhesive strips or glue, but not screws or bolts.

Final Thoughts

You are not restricted to any flooring type in your stairs flooring. Therefore, choose a style that is compatible with your personal style. However, if you choose a hardwood floor or tiles, you should put measures to prevent slips and falls. You also have to consider the costs of purchasing the materials, installation, ease of cleaning, and durability.