skip to main content

Hybrid Carpet/Hardwood Stairs

13 years ago

I'm on decision overload and need some help.

I am remodeling my first floors (kitchen, bath, windows, floors, etc) and part of it is putting in new walnut wide plank random width floors. My front staircase is a "birdcage" style and not particulary interesting but it is central since the house is a center hall colonial.

We will be adding some molding to the staircase and putting in new king newel posts, balusters (white), banisters (walnut). I thought about changing the stair carpet to hardwoods but my husband liked the carpet and I wondered about noise levels with my kids thumping up and down. And then there is the cost, we were already over our plan so I decided to postpone on the stair treads.

Then I saw this:

{{!gwi}}

And I thought- maybe having a hardwood bottom step would be nicer than the fuzzy carpet edges. But I wasnt sure if it would be good or not, but i priced it out. It's like $600 for a bottom walnut step. So now I'm wondering if its a good idea.

Then that sends me back to whether I should just get the treads and do it all. The treads are about 70 each plus labor and i have no idea what labor is.

Can someone help me? Here are some bad angles of the current stairs but you can sort of get the general idea.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

We COULD put the money into it but not sure if the value is there to do it, esp. with everything else that is in play.

THANKS!

Comments (4)

jennifw
13 years ago
I like the first picture you posted, but would probably make the entire bottom step walnut. Good luck.
aok27502
13 years ago
We did this last winter, removed the carpet and replaced the pine treads with oak. Looks lovely, but I will offer one caution: it is SLIPPERY. If you have kids and/or pets, be prepared for someone to come crashing down. We haven't fallen, but our poor dog slid down the steps for many weeks. She was used to the carpet, and did an absolute cartoon rump-over-teakettle fall every time she went down. She finally figured it out, and was never injured, but we felt terrible. I am also extremely careful when carrying anything, it would be very easy to slip. And your steps look especially steep.

If you like the look of just the bottom step, maybe you could leave the carpet. Also, ask around and see if there is a woodworker in your area who could make the step. Ours are not as contoured as the one in the picture, but my DH does woodworking, and made all of our treads, because the purchased ones were so expensive. Perhaps you could come out cheaper that way.
Related Discussions
Carpet vs hardwood "aging-in- place"--carpet or hardwood??
Q
Comments (7)
My mother is 85 years old and has Parkinson's, so she has trouble getting around. I am keeping her in mind with your question. I would go with a low pile carpet, if you were my parent. It is softer for when she falls down. Mom has hardwood in her foyer, dining, and halls, and although they are beautiful, they are mostly covered with throw rugs, which are a tripping hazard, but less slippery for her. She has trouble with getting a "grip" on the floor when standing up, and carpet helps with that. Wheelchairs will run grooves in a hardwood floor.
...See More
Carpet stairs to hardwood
Q
Comments (13)
@Pam P. Above are couple of stair jobs we have done before. Hope they can help to visualize your project a little better. The first used the floor boards and stair noses to build the treads with full white risers. The second used the full treads and white risers. I like the second more than the first, but cost you more too. White riser is where you can save money and still look gorgeous IMO. As K Laurence and Cinar suggested, try to find a specialty wood floor store or hardwood floor contractor in your area with good reputation. They can take you to the right path and deliver a happy result. Good luck with your project!
...See More
Carpeted staircase with hardwood on lower steps??
Q
Comments (3)
My concern with resurfacing the stairs with something OTHER than carpet is keeping the stairs up to code. As soon as you resurface (move from carpet to hardwood as an example) your ENTIRE STAIRCASE must be brought up to code. That includes adding the proper rail for the last three stairs (the wrap around is the awkward part of this set up). I have a sneaking suspicion that today's building codes require more railing on the wrap around. Now we start getting expensive. Renovating stairs to bring them to code can be several thousands of dollars more than you bargained for...and that's if there is an 'easy' fix. If there is a more complicated fix, you will spend $10K+ to do it. Your 'update' could turn into a code nightmare. Be VERY aware of what you are asking about when thinking of resurfacing the stairs. Ask yourself if you have the budget to spend $10K on the stairs.
...See More
Staircase-Leave hardwood or cover with carpet
Q
Comments (3)
I always advise for sellers: if it's not broken or gross, then don't fix it. stage it nicely and let the next homeowners decide what they want. many people would end up ripping out the carpet right away, and it's pretty much going to wind up in the landfill.
...See More
krycek1984
13 years ago
I don't know how much this will help you, but we have a house from 1910. The bottom stair is all wood and comes out at a flair to one side, but the rest of the stairs are carpet. I think it looks very nice and I would recommend you to do it. It seems like it's something you would really like to do.

It's one of those little things that ends up really making a big difference.

Here's a pic of the staircase and you can see the bottom step how it's half carpet/half wood. It looks nice. It's a little hard to see. Please excuse the mess, we were doing some stuff around the house!
From 2010-07-19
adh673
Original Author
13 years ago
thank you so much for taking the time to post a photo! I think I will go ahead with the wood bottom step. I think it might lead me to rip out the rest but we'll see. I also recently read about the step recover-veneer things that you dont have to take the step out and just cover over with hardwood. Seemed sort of interesting...

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

STAIRWAYS 12 Fresh Alternatives to the Carpeted Staircase

By Between Naps on the Porch

REMODELING GUIDES Transition Time: How to Connect Tile and Hardwood Floors

By By Any Design Ltd.

Plan ahead to prevent unsightly or unsafe transitions between floor surfaces. Here's what you need to know

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean Hardwood Floors

By Bonnie McCarthy

Gleaming wood floors are a thing of beauty. Find out how to keep them that way

MATERIALS What to Ask Before Choosing a Hardwood Floor

By Mitchell Parker

We give you the details on cost, installation, wood varieties and more to help you pick the right hardwood flooring

STAIRWAYS The Upstairs-Downstairs Connection: Picking the Right Stair Treatment

By Laura Gaskill

Carpeting, runner or bare wood? Check out these ideas for matching your staircase floor treatment to upstairs and downstairs flooring

DECORATING GUIDES Flights of Fancy: Painted Stair Runners

Instead of carpeting, lay down some paint and give your steps a lift

DECORATING GUIDES Set Staircases Racing With a Striped Stair Runner

By Rachel Grace

Energize your stairway with a carpet runner decked in stripes to go the distance

REMODELING GUIDES 11 Reasons to Love Wall-to-Wall Carpeting Again

By Judith Taylor Designs

Is it time to kick the hard stuff? Your feet, wallet and downstairs neighbors may be nodding

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Get New Carpeting

By Laura Gaskill

Carpeting adds a layer of warmth and softness to a space. Here's what to know about today's materials, costs and trends

GREAT HOME PROJECTS What to Know Before Refinishing Your Floors

Learn costs and other important details about renewing a hardwood floor — and the one mistake you should avoid

Sponsored

Davidson Builders

1 Review

Franklin County's Full-Scale General Contractor

More Discussions

MSI Calacatta Castana

19

What's the safest countertop option for giant island overhang?

25

Crazy BR Vanity Prices!

7

Does MSI Calacatta Izaro or Verona work with my white / grey cabniets?

17

Help me out with my girl's bathroom

6