tinan, thanks for those pictures. And the detailed instructions. They are very helpful. Thanks to all of the other ideas too. I think we will see what is under the rug, and try to stain the treads first, then move on to Plan B if that looks horrid. I also saw a really cool idea using wallpaper on the risers, Birch Trees, to be exact. He has a big mural of birch trees at the bottom of the stairs and I think doing something like that might be really cool. Would not do wallpaper but thinking about a stencil. [Eclectic Staircase[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-staircase-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_745~s_2104) by Portland Design-Build Firms Vanillawood

Most economical = carpet. After that, a solid finish (wood, cork, vinyl, tile, stone, etc) will require all the extras. Painted stairs will work...with plenty of elbow grease and with the FULL UNDERSTANDING the paint will wear/chip/"patina" inside of a few years. There are ways to lay a runner on the stairs and then trim out the edges of the tread/riser with wood-looking stuff. This will cut the cost in half of what I mention above. The other option is to place the runner and PAINT out the edges....creating a faux-painted-wood look which could be very handsome yet extremely practical. Notice how carpet keeps on coming up again and again? Yah. There's a reason for that. Those are builder grades stairs made for carpet.

Hi Patricia, I was just looking through old posts and was reminded of this! For some reason I don't get any notifications for posts! I love the look of a real runner but it's too committal for me at this point. Maybe when the kids and dogs are out of the house someday :). For now it's just about the safety of the dogs :). I ended up getting 2 different stair tread carpet and using this: Super Area Rugs Stair Tread Installation Kit, Securing Adhesive Tape Roll https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EZ8AAAM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Supposedly it won't cause any damage -- and it works great - literally zero slippage and now I feel much better about my dogs going up/down both sets of stairs. Thanks!

Thanks for all the feedback. @Patricia Colwell - a couple of them are rough. I'm not sure what type of wood it is. If I don't cover them, I'll have to replace them. I don't want to go back to carpet. That back room and those stairs is the last carpet in the house. I was tempted to consider just carpeting the treads (like the second post I made). I was lucky with the main house stairs, it had oak treads and I just had to clean them up. I guess if I want oak hardwood stairs, there is no magic. Hard work or big payout. As for existing treads, I still can't tell if they are under or butted up against the skirt boards. It doesn't make sense to do it that way, It has to just be well fitted treads. It would take a magician to cut those skirts with every level fitting so well. One more question regarding those three odd shaped treads from the first picture. What is the typical solution? Buy extra treads and use an extra one or two cut fastened together? Or do you order a custom boards from your lumber company? Answer to my own question, for those who are just learning like me. I need to buy/build a left hand winder tread set. Rona and many other places carry them. Done! I have no more questions/concerns with this subject. Thanks for the help. Thanks, Mark.