Staircase landing HELP! Tall walls, tan carpet...
Annie Bryant
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
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Annie Bryant
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Solid wood stairs or carpet on stairs...which would you do?
Comments (26)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....See MoreStairs - replace carpet with hardwood
Comments (12)handymac's description is an excellent one. The key to remember is that it's the top and bottom stairs that are the potential bugaboos. If they are equal to start with, then any increase/decrease in tread thickness (like his 2" --> 1 1/4") will make the top stair shorter/taller by that difference, and the bottom stair taller/shorter by that difference. (Hope I didn't totally confuse you.) So if your new material is 1/2" thicker than the old material, the top step is 1/2" less than it was and the bottom step is 1/2" more. Now they're an inch different from each other, which doesn't meet code. But if you change your flooring on the bottom floor or top floor, those will impact it as well. The other thing to keep in mind is that your stairs may or may not be constructed as handymac describes. Our carpeted stairs actually had 1x pine treads. So that's 3/4" thick + 1/2" carpet = 1 1/4" total. Swapping out to oak treads had no impact on the rise between stairs. Or your existing stairs may have a top (or bottom) stair that has more or less rise than the rest of them. So the change in tread may still keep them within the code-required tolerance. The best way to know the answer is to remove the carpet and see what you've got, and measure each riser. Listen to what he said about gaskets or rosin paper. We didn't do that on ours and chased squeaks for quite a while....See MoreCarpeting only on the stairs- Why just the stairs?
Comments (25)If you've ever fallen on stairs, both carpeted and not - you would want carpet on them. I hate carpet and have wood everywhere but carpet on the stairs. When I was building my house I did a lot of research and discovered the bulk of it recommends carpeted stairs for safety. I considered wooden stairs with a runner, but I've had that before and found all the nooks and crannies were horrible to clean. And I've had a 1920's era wooded staircase (two sets actually - one for the family and guests and the second hidden one for servants that sadly didn't come with the house when we purchased it) - had to add these rubber stair treads on them so they weren't so slippery for my older relatives which sort of ruined the beauty of the wood. rubber non-slip stair treads...See MoreRefinish stairs or new wall to wall carpet?
Comments (6)1916 house here. I recognize the newel post because it is like mine. Our staircase is also set up in the same ways yours is. Our first floor, landing and stairs are all oak. Our second floor is maple floors. We used to have carpeted stairs and then pulled it up and had the stairs refinished. We also got an expensive surprise that some of the oak treads were in such bad shape that they needed to be replaced. Originally we had thought about installing a runner, but it's been six or seen years now and we still just have the wood stairs. I don't think we'll end up doing a runner since these are just fine the way they are....See Morecalidesign
2 years agopricklypearcactus
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoThe_Lane_Duo
2 years agoMaureen
2 years agolast modified: 2 years ago
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