The potential problems with removal of runner are dependent upon how the runner was installed. Some dearies actually tack the runner to the steps, tread and riser. Ouch, because removal leaves those holes to be filled and stained to match (very difficult to conceal). An alternative method is to use carpet bars which come in wood or metal, in an assortment of finishes. This is slightly more expensive but imo, also *looks* more luxurious. The carpet is barred at the back of the tread where it meets the riser; best practice has the runner tacked beneath each tread rather than slanted from top-front to the back of the next lower riser. Note that under-tread tacking also uses the most running feet of carpet, so the most finished appearance is going to cost. There are several other methods, so discuss intent with the installer before s/he does the work. One thing for sure, is to not use any sort of sticky-back tape: it either doesn't hold well, or holds too well and removel is labor-intensive. Because of the carpet pile height, if possible choose treads that are slightly deeper than usual so as to maintain fully safe depth.

It would help to let folks know where you hail from. A furniture repair person would be able to melt in a colored shellac repair stick material to fix your problem. Some hardwood floor experts can do that as well. Or, an expert can repair the damage with a piece of oak shaped to fit and then colored and finished to match. Or, eopxy wood restoration paste can be applied and then shaped to gain a smooth result and then grain painted to match the wood to blend in the repair...top with finish and it's done. See?...lots of ways to do this, but you have to find someone who does this type of work or do it yourself. Forget about tread replacement...is not necessary and would just make matters worse.

About a month ago, we removed the old (and nasty) carpet runner on the stairs. Underneath were the original hardwood stair treads. The wood looks pretty good with a little clean up. My original thought was to just leave the stairs like this. I think they look ok. But there has been two falls on these stairs since. So now I'm going to have to cover them again. I found carpet at DIY Stair Tread Carpet that appears to glue or stick to the treads. Or I could have an installer come and install the carpet like it was. Has anyone had any experience with this type of product? Here is a link that might be useful: Stair Treads

Sorry but this is too obvious to me. I see plenty of green in the vinyl (brown with green and gray tones) while I see plenty of orange/red. Some people have a hard time seeing undertones. It takes a trained eye that does not have any colour-blindness concerns (up to 30% of men have some form of colour blindness...which could explain some things). The treads are too close to a 'bad match' to make this work. I'm sorry but you would be better off gluing down vinyl on the treads and then figuring out a nosing. BTW: have you measured everything to ensure your stairs will maintain 'code'? Once a stair changes finish (like carpet to hardwood, vinyl, laminate, etc) the stairs must be reassessed to ensure code compliance. A finishing carpenter is the person needed to make sure stairs remain to code. The top of the stairs and the bottom of the stairs are where you would see issues when changing finishes.