How to choose wood for stairs

Wood for stairs

Are you considering changing the flooring in part of your home? If the flooring meets a staircase, you're probably wondering what to do about it. Do you leave it as is? Doubtful. Why not also give your stairs a facelift? Stairs, hardwood or carpet can be tricky when deciding how to finish them. Several factors must be taken into account when renovating your stairs:

Stick to the budget

You should consider your budget. Finances are always part of a home improvement decision, but they're not the only part. You want to be sure you're getting quality workmanship and materials for the money you're paying for the project. This is why the lowest price is rarely the best price.

An example to illustrate this is with the carpet. The average cost of builder-grade carpet is $9 per yard and typically lasts three to five years. Average quality carpet costs $25 per yard and lasts 12 to 15 years.[1] On price alone they are almost equal, until you consider that the cheaper one will need to be installed 3-4 times over the lifespan of average quality carpet. Not only will you have the expense and hassle of replacing the cheaper carpet more often, but the quality and appearance will be lower than an average quality carpet.

Fortunately, there is a wide range of high-quality hardwoods available at prices to suit different budgets.

Beauty will bring the wow factor!

It is the quality of the floor finishing work that gives the final look and determines the level of protection of the floor of your home. You should also know that sanding the floor of your home greatly contributes to making your home brighter. When a floor has been recently sanded, you can see that the light gives an exceptional shine to the rooms.

Of course, beauty is a matter of personal style and taste, but it's a good idea to consider the flooring you have in the upstairs and downstairs rooms adjacent to the staircase to create harmony in the decor of your home.

You can have carpeted bedrooms upstairs and hardwood floors downstairs. Perhaps beautiful hardwood stairs with a rug in the center of the stairs, leaving four inches on each side to show off the beautiful hardwood, are the answer.

What to do to prepare for sanding your stairs

Before calling a company, it is necessary to ensure that they can provide you with service. dust-free sandblasting with suitable equipment. Then, you will need to clear the space for a period of one to two days depending on the surface area of ​​the floor. After varnishing or oiling, it will take at least 48 hours before reinstalling everything.

It is thanks to sandblasting that the stairs will regain their original beauty. The appearance will be much smoother, making them much more attractive.

Easy to clean stairs

Consider ease of cleaning. This is a big reason why people love hardwood stairs. A dust mop will usually keep dirt at bay with an occasional deep clean with a hardwood floor cleaner.

If you are installing carpet, vacuuming will be necessary regularly. Getting a vacuum up and down isn't much fun, especially if you have a long staircase. Unlike carpets, hardwoods are easy to clean and maintain and are a good material for stairs.

Safety first!

Regardless of the flooring you choose, it is important to think about the safety needs of your family members, including the elderly, young children and pets. One of the advantages of hardwood flooring is that walkers and canes, wheelchairs and other assistive devices can easily move on it without catching on the carpet.

However, hardwood stairs can be slippery.

You can use runners to make hardwood stairs safer and more slip-resistant. A runner is a small piece of carpet that does not cover the entire staircase. It is designed to provide traction to hardwood flooring. You can also use non-slip treads to add traction to your hardwood stairs. They also only cover part of the hardwood floor.

Are you concerned about noise?

Hardwood stairs can be noisier, mainly because there is nothing to muffle the noise of everyday use. However, there are ways to minimize this. For example, when Dave's Floor Sanding & Installation installs a new hardwood floor, we take the time to ensure the subfloor is in good condition and securely screwed into the floor joists to prevent the floor from moving with every step that someone does. We do the same for the hardwood stairs we install.

Call an expert

Planning for hardwood stairs can seem overwhelming, especially since these tips are just the tip of the iceberg. Hardwood is a great investment that will enhance the beauty of your home. It is both functional and durable. But the work and knowledge required to ensure the best results leads many to consult or hire a professional. If you need professional advice or are looking for a stress-free experience from a trusted installer, contact us.