Need advice on stair remodel. Will this work?

4 years ago

I have decided I want to get rid of the carpet on my stairs and have all wood risers and treads. Underneath the carpet is just the rough wood. I originally thought a wood tread insert could be used to avoid having to touch the spindles and bannister. However, my contractor told me the seam where the new wood insert would not look good and could not be blended well on the stained tread. He gave me an estimate of $4000 to completely redo the stairs. This is more extensive them I was planning. My questions are this:

1. Has anyone done anything like this - putting in a wood tread insert?

2. Would a seam in the stained tread stand out too much?

3. Would a painted tread the color of the wood floor, with white riser look good?

I am trying to find a less extensive and expensive option that tearing out my existing staircase.

Featured Answer

Marigold

4 years ago

There are many beautiful runners available. I am not sure I would rule those out, given the price of redoing the stairs. A runner is also a bit more stable for people who might be prone to slip. If I did just redo the runner, I would probably center it, as it looks a bit unbalanced to my eye.

I am no pro, but I think, whatever I did, I would also paint the newel post to match the spindles. It doesn't seem beefy enough to be different.

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Comments (13)

User
4 years ago
4K is much much too cheap to replace all of the treads, spindles, railings, and have someone do it correctly. I’d expect 3 times that price, minimum.
brooksdeb2 thanked User
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I would remove the carpet, paint the hand rails, newel posts and treads black and the risers white to match the balusters. It is a pretty classic look which works with your architectural details that seem more traditional. "Traditional with a twist" in the photos above is what I'd prefer.
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Jora
4 years ago
Ditto what Andi said.

Stairs remodels are expensive - depending on the material you choose, you are looking at 10K +.

Ditto Helen's suggestion as well - Replace the runner in lieu of a complete overhaul!
brooksdeb2 thanked Jora
ulisdone
4 years ago
Keep in mind bare wood treads will be much louder than your current carpeted stairs.
brooksdeb2 thanked ulisdone
ci_lantro
4 years ago
Underneath the carpet is just the rough wood.

...You need to peel back that runner & take another photo because I don't understand what you have.

Or, are you trying to say that the stairs have false tread & riser end caps? Like these:

https://www.woodstairs.com/product-category/stair-treads-risers/false-tread-riser-caps/
brooksdeb2 thanked ci_lantro
sheepla
4 years ago
Definitely new runner...but centered!
brooksdeb2 thanked sheepla
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I agree to take a picture of what is under the carpet and if it is rough wood then I agree 4K is cheap to replace the treads since everything needs to come out inorder to do that. I would just get a fabulous new runner in maybe dark brown and white. You could still paint the risers and jst get a lighter color and pattern for the runner .
brooksdeb2 thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
brooksdeb2
Original Author
4 years ago
ci_lantro It does have the false treads and risers.

I have thought about a new runner, but really wanted to not have any carpet. I had not thought about painting the risers even with a new runner.
chocolatebunny123
4 years ago
I just went to an open house over the weekend where there was no carpet nor runner on the stairs leading upstairs. I almost tripped twice, once on the way up, and once on the way down. The trip going down was scary as I caught myself and thought I had broken the railing. I'm not sure if the owners had just cleaned prior to the open house, but the stairs were really slippery.

I would replace the runner. I've seen plenty of houses that don't have carpeting anywhere except the stairs.
brooksdeb2 thanked chocolatebunny123
PRO
Green Hammer Construction Consulting
4 years ago
I agree with Patricia and the others. 4K is very low for the amount of work and materials needed to complete the stairs correctly. If a patch is added to fill in where the runner was the 2 woods will take stain differently and never look cohesive. If a cap was added to the tread to resolve the staining issue you will have a much bigger issue with riser heights. A 1/4 inch is enough to trip you up every time on the first and last step causing a huge safety risk. IMO, I would just redoing the runner if your budget won’t allow for a complete replacement.
brooksdeb2 thanked Green Hammer Construction Consulting
emilyam819
4 years ago
New runner! Really, not many people are going to notice your stairs either way.
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Steve Grimes
4 years ago
How about stair tread covers? Look at the "Open Sided Staircase Remodel With Adjustable Iron Balusters" video
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BeverlyFLADeziner
4 years ago
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Need advice on stair remodel. Will this work?

Marigold

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Need advice on stair remodel. Will this work?

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