Which carpets are best for stairs?

Choosing the right stair carpet can be tricky, it begins by understanding the unique set of challenges you face when looking for the perfect carpet for your stairs. But, if you follow the guidelines below you should have a stylish, durable and most important of all a safe carpet covering your stairs. The right choice of carpet will also be an investment in your home’s interior decoration. Stairs are often a very visible feature and you want to get it right. So lets look at the factors that affect your choice of stair carpet.

Wear Resistance

Stair carpets see a lot of action, even in a quiet household, the stairs see a lot of wear and tear. So your choice of carpet must be resistant to that traffic. A good quality carpet that is durable and stain resistant is a good choice. You don’t want the carpet to be too thick as otherwise it may not fit your stairs well.

Carpet Thickness

To ensure safety your carpet should fit snugly against your treads, especially on the nosing (leading edge) of a stair to ensure that each step finds a firm foothold. Having a carpet that is too bulk may leave the carpet with little or no support under it on the leading edge and that can cause slips, trips and falls. Something to be avoided! Choose a carpet of quality, and not just look at the thickness, good, durable carpets and flooring can actually be quite thin. Also carpet fitters will struggle with a thick, heavy and stiff carpet and thus the installation may be more costly and take longer.

Smiling

Carpets are produced with their rows of loops running lengthwise on a roll. When a carpet is bent side to side you may see the backing, this is known as “Smiling”. To prevent smiling on the edges of each tread when installing carpet on stairs its installed lengthwise. If your stairs are open on the side your carpet fitter may have to bend the carpet over the front “nosing” and around the side or edge of the tread too, causing “smiling” on the sides of the stair. Choosing a carpet with a high density (closely tufted fibres) is important, to avoid “smiling” when installed.

Stain Resistant

It is often thought that because stairs are not subject to the same traffic as a family living room the carpet doesn’t have to be very soil or stain resistant. However children (and adults!) have a habit of spilling food and drink as they go up and down the stairs. This may happen infrequently but when it does you will be glad you had a stain resistant carpet. Another factor that many people over look is walking barefoot on the carpet. This transfers oils from your feet to the carpet which in turn attracts dirt particles. Plus if you have pets you’ll be aware of how they track the dirt into your home. Having a stain resistant stair carpet will improve the overall cleanliness of your home.

Other Areas

Stairs are quite often fitted with the same carpet as Hall, Landing and other rooms in the house. However if the choice of carpet for your hall or landing is not right you can end up with accelerated wear and tear. Or worse, an ill fitting stair carpet stretched from just a few years family use. So, look at your stairs first and find a carpet that will work well on them and then use that in your hall, landing and other rooms.

Warranty Coverage

Carpet manufacturers have historically excluded warranty coverage for all stairs. However things have changed recently and some manufacturers have responded to the gap in the market for a warranty on a carpet that includes stairs. This of course gives you an indication that the carpet may be suitable for using on your stairs. Please check with us if your choice of carpet has a warranty on stairs or steps.

Round Up

Carpeting stairs is tricky because every house seems to have a different set of stairs, different tread profiles and different occupants. So choosing the right stair covering can be quite tricky. A good stair carpet will be resistant to wear, look good after installation, be stain resistance and offer you peace of mind with a warranty.

Whatever your requirements our skilled team of carpet and flooring professionals can help you make the right choice for your home or office. Speak to our team who can guide you on the best buy for your budget.

Call the Hereward Carpets Team on 01733 325 797

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