Stairs are generally neglected during home renovations. Frequently, home owners either fail to see the poor state their stairs are in or just decide to focus their time and budget on living areas. However, a quick flooring update on your stairs can really make a difference in the overall appearance, flow, and value of your house.

Flooring Options:

Sure, carpet is the most common flooring material on stairs, but it isn’t the only option. After all, avoiding the cumbersome task of vacuuming individual stairs is a strong motivator for finding an alternative. Wood, tile, laminate, vinyl, and even specialized paint can be used to create a dramatic effect to complement any home decor. If you’re worried about safety, then consider using a material with more tread or installing individual stair rugs.

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A word of caution, however, some stairs will need extra work or remodeling if a different covering is going to be used. Please consult with us about your specific project before buying the new flooring.

Preparation Work:

Whether you’re simply replacing carpet or going through a full-scale remodel, the right preparation work must be done while renovating stairs. Any trim should be carefully removed, and, if it’s being saved, marked for replacement. Afterwards, the existing flooring will need to be pulled up. Depending on how it was installed, this process can take just a few minutes or potentially a few days, especially if it was glued down.

After all the old flooring is removed, this is a good time to closely inspect the stairs. Over time, sections of wood can rot, nails can come loose, etc. It’s better to catch major structural defects now when repairs will be easier. While you’re at it, consider touching up the paint in the stairway; you’ll never have a more convenient time.

New Installation:

Now with all the preparation out of the way, your new flooring can be installed. If you’re going with a different flooring than used before, switching from carpet to tile for example, then additional installation steps may be needed. Don’t let the potential for extra work through you off from what you really want, however; it’s just a little bit more time until you have the stairs you’ve always really wanted.

No matter which flooring option you’re using, installation is best handled by professionals; give Alair Homes a call for a stress free no obligation quote on renovating your stairs and more.