What is the best flooring for stairs?
Your staircase is a focal point in your home. It’s also a high-traffic area. Finding the best type of stair flooring can be a challenge. You want to find something that enhances the character and charm of your dwelling and something that ensures your loved ones are safe as they maneuver through your home.
While there are many options when it comes to your stair flooring, let’s consider what is the best flooring for stairs.
Factors to selecting the best stair flooring
There are many factors that you’ll need to consider when deciding on the right stair flooring for your home, such as:
Stair floor plan
The layout of your home and your staircase may reduce your flooring options.
Level of noise
If your stairs are next to bedrooms, you may be concerned about noise. You’ll want to look for stair flooring that muffles noise. It can be very annoying to hear people going up and down the stairs when you’re trying to rest.
Safety concerns
Nearly 1,800 Canadians are injured in falls each day, according to media reports. Staying safe while enjoying your stairs is possible, and your stair flooring plays a big role. It’s best to look for a slip-resistant material. If you have younger children in your home, consider stair flooring that offers additional traction to protect them.
Durability
Your stairs are one of the highest traffic areas in your home. To ensure your stair floor holds up for the long run, you’ll need to find a durable material. You may also want to pick a flooring type that is easy to clean.
Staircase appearance
You also want to look for stair flooring options that fit into the style and personality of your home. For example, if your stairs are wide, you can enhance their appearance with wood or tile. On the other hand, if you have more narrow stairs, carpet may be the best choice as it offers a cozy look.
Cost
Another consideration for stair flooring is the price. There are a wide variety of materials that you can use for your stairs, and they all come at a different cost. So, you’ll be able to find something that suits your home and your budget.
Types of stair flooring
Each type of stair flooring has its benefits and its drawbacks. Here are the main types of materials available for your staircase flooring.
Carpet
Many people choose carpet as a stair flooring material because it is one of the safest choices. It is slip-resistant, so you can be sure your loved ones and guests will be safe in your home. It also provides a softer landing if someone does slip. Carpet is also one of the most affordable stair flooring choices. Keep in mind that you don’t need to have fully carpeted stairs. You can opt to have a carpet runner over hardwood stairs. This ensures that you have the safety of a non-slip material with the character of wood stairs.
One advantage to selecting carpet for your stair flooring is the variety of styles, colours, and textures. You may want to choose a durable carpet style that hides stains well.
Stair runner
Rather than covering your stairs with carpet, you can install a stair runner for a new look. These pieces of carpet are designed to protect just the middle section of your stairs. It can be used as a nice compliment to hardwood flooring. And it offers a safe and slip-resistant option for your staircase.
Hardwood
Another popular stair flooring is hardwood. Wood stairs provide a strong, traditional look and can add to the charm of any home. Hardwood is also a sought-after material for homebuyers. Adding some to your stairs can increase the value of your home if you plan to sell it at some point in the future.
This material is also one of the most durable ones available. You can also refinish it to keep it looking new.
Wood stairs are easy to clean and don’t trap allergens and dust in the same way carpet does. For safety, you can install no-slip treads, reducing the chances that someone will fall.
Cork
Homeowners who want an environment-friendly option for their stair flooring should consider cork. It’s biodegradable and renewable, and it also provides a slip-resistant surface for your staircase. Additionally, cork is more affordable and easier to install than hardwood. However, it’s important to seal it properly so that it lasts a long time.
Stair tiles
Tiles can be a beautiful material to use for stair floors. They also offer an easy-to-care-for cleaning and maintenance option. Stair tiles are also made strong, so they are durable enough for high-traffic areas. To help reduce the chances of falling, you can choose a tile with a textured surface.
There are lots of colours and styles to choose from, so you’ll be able to find the best tile for your staircase. Some homeowners choose to use neutral tones on the floor tread and a vibrant tile on the risers for a unique look.
Stair tile flooring can also be used on outside steps and basement stairs. To find the right tile to match the character and style of your home, talk to the flooring professionals at Ottawa Diamond Flooring. Sometimes an in-home consultation is needed to help you select the perfect design from the vast range of stair flooring tiles.
Avoid laminate and luxury vinyl for stair flooring
While laminate and luxury vinyl offer a beautiful flooring material, they are not well-suited for stairs. These materials tend to be more slippery and can be a falling hazard. To keep your family and guests safe, it’s best to avoid laminate and luxury vinyl for stair flooring.
When it comes time to redo your staircase, let the professionals at Ottawa Diamond Flooring help you find a suitable material for your stair flooring.
