Pros of Carpeted Stairs
Not everyone likes carpeting on the stairs, and most of the time, the decision to place carpet over wood is based on personal preference and style. But, there are times when the decision may be based on the many benefits of stair carpeting, which include, style and comfort, noise reduction and safety.
- Style and Comfort: Carpet adds a touch of warmth to a home that makes it cozier and more inviting. The colour can be chosen to match or complement your home’s décor, such as the furniture, other flooring, curtains and other accents or the walls.
- Noise Reduction: Wood stairs typically creak under the pressure of feet, but carpet can remedy the problem of noisy stairs. This is especially needed if you have a house full of kids who may run up and down those stairs all day long and make a lot of noise.
- Safety: Wood is slippery, and wood on the stairs can be dangerous in a home with children and the elderly. For this reason, carpet is the better choice, as it will greatly reduce the chance of a slip and fall that could cause serious injuries. Carpeting provides a softer landing, no chance of slipping on spilled liquids, less slipping and less injuries.
Cons of Carpeted Stairs
Carpet on the stairs has its advantages, but it doesn’t work for everyone and every home. There are some issues with carpeting that can make it less attractive for some, such as its cost and installation, the damage it causes to the wood underneath and the difficulty of keeping it clean.
- Installation and Cost: The better the carpet’s quality, the more expensive it will be, and you’ll want to have the best carpeting you can afford installed on your stairs. You may have to pay more to ensure that you get the safest, most durable carpeting. Installation can be expensive and complicated, as well.
- Damage to the Wood of the Original Stairs: Carpet is installed using adhesive glue, industrial staplers or wires. Any of these things can cause permanent damage to the wood below. If the carpeting is ever removed, the stairs below will definitely have to be refinished, which is another major expense.
- Hard to Keep Clean: Carpet is not the easiest flooring type to keep clean, especially in high traffic areas. There aren’t many areas more high traffic than the stairs. This means that you’ll be doing a lot of vacuuming, spot removal and deep cleaning. Wood stairs simply require occasional sweeping and mopping, which is way less maintenance than what is needed to keep carpeted stairs looking nice and clean.
If you’ve got questions about carpeting stairs, or you’re looking to redo the flooring on your stairs, get in touch with us.
