Stair Carpet Runners

Wooden stairs can be a hazard to walk on, especially when wearing socks. They are often noisy when used, and can appear a little cold. The use of stair carpet runners breaks up expanses of wood and gives a feeling of warmth to a hallway and stairs. They add an important design element, especially in open plan rooms where the stairs form a feature in the room. Stair carpet runners cushion the step, deaden noise, provide insulation and brighten up otherwise dull stairs and can add a non slip surface to a potentially dangerous staircase if correctly installed.

Stair carpet runners can be installed fairly easily by the home DIY enthusiast. However before any materials are purchased an accurate measurement needs to be taken. Stair carpet runners consist of risers and treads. The riser element is the area where the carpet rises to the adjacent stair. The tread is the horizontal part, where the foot is placed. Some staircases are not uniform so each step needs to be measured. You then calculate the linear footage you require. When installing, a margin of error exists on the tread, however risers should all be the same height.

To keep stair carpet runners in place, tack-less strips are used at the bottom of each riser. These are nailed to the stairs and hold the carpet from underneath. Once the Stair carpet runners have been laid, a brass or wooden stair rod can be fitted on top. This functions decoratively, and also holds the runner in place. The ends of the runner can be secured with glue to ensure that they do not pose a tripping hazard.

Stair carpet runners range between $28 to $33 per linear foot for man-made fibers, and $30 to $100 per linear foot for wool. Stair rod cost needs to be factored in to the cost of installation. These range from around $4 up to $10 per rod. Most DIY stores will have a good selection and online stores have competitive prices; many offering free delivery with orders over $50.

The appearance of the home can be enhanced with stair carpet runners and if installed correctly they can add comfort to wooden stairs and provide additional safety. Carpet runners can also be used in the hallway, kitchen and many narrow areas around the house to very good effect.