![]() You know all of those stair tutorials that are a lot of work. Well, this is a cheater version (little scraping / little painting) that uses wood caps on top of your existing stairs.Find Out What Carpet Is Best for Installation On Stairs. Stairs are the most common place in the home to have carpet, and yet they are also the trickiest. Even if you prefer hard surfaces such as hardwood or laminate, carpet on the stairs is still a good idea, even if it is in the form of a runner on the stairs. Safety. Having carpet on the stairs is infinitely safer than having the stairs covered in a hard surface flooring. Firstly, and most obviously, hard surfaces are slippery, and can easily lead to a fall. Secondly, should a fall occur, carpet offers a much softer landing spot than hardwood or laminate, which could help reduce the likelihood of injury. Appearance. Many people are worried about how the carpet will look where it wraps around the edge of the stair, or where it has to be cut around railing posts. Common concerns include being able to see the backing of the carpet as it wraps around the edge (especially with Berber) and being able to see the seams where it has been joined together around a post. You will not be able to see the backing of the carpet, except - - perhaps - - in the absolute lowest grade product. Even most entry level or 'builder grade' products will not show the backing when wrapped around the edge of the stair - provided, of course, they have been properly installed. Carpet has a specific direction to the pile, and the direction must run from the top of the stairs to the bottom (not sideways). Not only does this enhance the performance of the carpet and ensure proper wear, it also prevents you from seeing between the 'rows' of fiber when you bend the carpet. To get a better understanding of this, the next time you have a carpet sample in your hand, try folding it lengthwise, and then fold it width wise. You will notice the difference; one way of folding will show a lot more of the backing. The way of folding that does not show the backing is the way that is going in the proper direction, and the way the carpet should be installed on the stairs. If your stairs are open on one side (or both sides), and the carpet has to wrap around the outside edge of the staircase, there is a possibility that, with a Berber, some of the backings could show, because the carpet is now being bent in the opposite direction. With a higher quality Berber, this should not be a problem. I have seen many Berbers installed on such staircases with beautiful results. ![]() ![]() Learn the definitions of common stair terms. With proper installation, the seams where the carpet has been joined around the posts should not be too noticeable. Certain types of carpet do hide seams better than others; longer piles such as friezes and saxonies hide them better than short or looped piles. Installation. There are two methods of installing carpet on the stair: waterfall or French cap. The waterfall method involves simply bending the carpet over the edge of the stair and bringing it straight down to meet the tread of the next step. It is an easy and fast way to install the carpet, and for this reason, many new home builders use this method. The French cap method wraps the carpet around the edge of the stair and tucks it under the lip, contouring the shape of the step. Carpet is less expensive to install. It is more expensive and labor intensive to keep clean. Actual carpet life is seldom more than 12 or more years. There is more color/texture choices with carpet. Carpet is softer, insulates. Something about the beauty of a nicely stained and painted staircase! Our guest today has a lovely hardwood stair remodel to share with us: We LOVED. Best Padding for Carpet Over Cement Slab? Will most people be happy with a 6lb pad when installing carpet over a cement slab or should the padding be heavier? We have been told that the 6lb is top quality and would. If your stairs are closed in, the stringer will run along the wall at the same angle as the stairs. Should you cover this in carpet or paint it? The answer, like so many others, depends on what you prefer. Carpet on the stringers is purely aesthetic; it does not serve any other purpose. If your stairs or stringers are uneven, as with an older home or a rough DIY job, it may be a good idea to cover the stringer with carpet, to help mask the imperfections. Otherwise, the look of carpet on the stringer could be considered somewhat dated. Hardwood flooring and carpet are two of the most popular flooring options available, and in this article we look at them side by side. Hardwood Flooring has become a very popular DIY project for many home owners. Also every DIY program on television has. ![]() The more contemporary style is to leave the stringers uncovered, and paint them the same color as the trim, or stain them the color of the hardwood stairs. Style. Many people ask me what style of carpet they can put on their stairs, and my answer is: whatever you like! Any style of carpet can be used on stairs; my only caution is regarding the thickness of the carpet. A very thick carpet cannot be used on stairs. It is much too difficult to wrap around the edge of the stair and fasten into place. In addition, a thick carpet can actually be slippery, as it prevents you from getting a good foothold, and could be a safety hazard. Quality. Stairs are the highest traffic area in any home, not only because they are often used. The impact of foot traffic is greater on stairs than on flat areas due to the added force of gravity as you descend the stairs. This means that you should be using the highest quality carpet and cushion you can afford. While an upgraded carpet and pad will be an additional cost up front, they will most definitely save you money in the long run, as the carpet will need to be replaced less frequently. Learn how to determine carpet quality. Where should I look for discount hardwood flooring? Hardwood floors are desirable because they are low maintenance. Many carpet warranties do not cover stairs. While this may be surprising, it is due to the 'abnormal' wear and tear that occurs due to the fact that the carpet is not on a flat surface, as mentioned above. Be sure to ask your salesperson if stairs are included in the manufacturer's warranty, and read the warranty information carefully. With proper selection and installation, carpet can create a beautiful finished look on the stairs. Cost To Install or Replace Hardwood Flooring. On This Page: Cost Per Square Foot. Hardwood Flooring Types. Engineered Wood Types. How to Keep Costs Reasonable. When it comes to choosing the perfect flooring for a home, hardwood is often the first choice for many homeowners. While it is far from the cheapest option on the market, with the average homeowner spending about $4,3. They can add value to your home when it comes time to sell, and this material can make any space look more appealing. With the extensive number of wood flooring options available, ranging from traditional hardwood to engineered hardwood floors, you must do your research to find the right option for your home. Additionally, installation can be a big job and it’s one that most homeowners need to hire professionals to complete. Use this cost guide to get a better understanding of the various expenses associated with installing hardwood floors in your home. Cost Per Square Foot. When it comes to budgeting for this project, you have many factors to consider. Two of the largest considerations include the cost per square foot of the materials and the cost per square foot for installation. To help you understand the potential costs of installing hardwood, we researched the average cost per square foot for traditional and engineered flooring at three different price points. Traditional Wood Flooring. Traditional wood flooring typically comes in narrow boards that are 3 inches wide or less, or planks that measure 7 inches or more. The cost you can expect to pay depends mainly on the type of wood you choose. The planks tend to fall into distinct pricing groups. For example: Low: Soft woods, such as pine, typically cost $3 to $6 per square foot for the flooring, and another $3 to $5 per square foot for installation. Mid: Some of the most popular flooring options include mid- priced varieties such as teak, American cherry and oak, which costs $5 to $1. High: Some of the most expensive wood floors are made of exotic woods such as Brazilian walnut, tigerwood, mahogany and cypress. Costs tally $8 to $1. Engineered Wood Flooring. This type of flooring has a real wood veneer bonded to multiple layers of lower- cost wood backing. With the variety of engineered hardwoods available now, you can enjoy greater options in where you install — even below ground level. This versatile, resilient option offers greater moisture and heat resistance than solid hardwoods do. Low: Basic engineered hardwood has three core layers topped with a layer of wood veneer between 1/1. It costs an average of $3 to $5 per square foot, with installation costs running between $3 and $1. Mid: Upgraded mid- range options usually have a thicker veneer and a five- layer core. This type costs an average of $5 to $1. High: Some of the top- of- the- line engineered hardwood products have seven or more core layers with a top veneer that's around 1/6- inch thick, often made of exotic wood. These cost around $8 to $1. Installation Cost Considerations. The amount you pay for installation depends on a variety of factors, including where you live and the intricacy of your project. For example, furniture removal and replacement, repairing the subfloor and removing and disposing of the old floor all bump up the overall cost of the project more than simply having an installer come in and lay the flooring does. To illustrate, some installers charge 2. Others may charge a per- appliance fee for moving appliances. Compare Local Wood Flooring Pros. Return to Top. Hardwood Flooring Types. Hardwood floors are not the best option if you have pets, although some options are still more durable than others if you want solid wood. When it comes to spills and accidents, you must clean them up quickly to avoid damaging the wood. Although many people speak about hardwood floors as a single building material, it’s important to understand that they can be made from dozens of different tree varieties, and each has a different color, price and durability. Here are a few of the most popular hardwood flooring options, along with some unique characteristics of each and average pricing: Maple: Very hard and dent- resistant, making it appropriate for high- traffic areas; creamy white to pale red in color; can be hard to work with ($3. Popular places to shop include: Online: Vendors such as i. Floor and Hosking. Hardwood. com specialize in hardwoods and carry a variety of hardwood flooring options. Local Retailers: Local home improvement stores often carry a variety of in- stock options. Additionally, local flooring stores are often fantastic resources because they typically offer samples that let you see how the floor will look in your home. They also can give you on- site estimates to provide a good idea of how much the project costs. Discount Options: If you’re looking to stay on a budget, you can consult lower- priced retail options such as Lumber Liquidators or Overstock. Return to Top. Engineered Wood Types. With their increased durability and moisture resistance, engineered wood floors are a better option than traditional hardwoods if you have pets or spill- prone kids. Additionally, you can install engineered wood flooring in places that hardwoods typically can't go, including basements, kitchens and summer homes in high- humidity climates. This type of flooring is available in a variety of widths, colors and styles, including glue- down and floating floors. All varieties provide increased durability over traditional wood, but buying engineered wood with more core layers and a thicker veneer offers the most durability. Engineered flooring is available in a wide range of woods, colors and finishes. Here are a few of the most popular engineered flooring options, along with some unique characteristics of each and average pricing: Maple: Colors range from creamy white to rich red; can be fastened, glued down or glued together ($1. Heart Pine: With nail holes, gouges and attractive knots, this engineered floor has vintage charm ($1. Popular places to shop include: Online: Vendors such as Build. Direct. com and Hosking. Hardwood. com offer a variety of engineered wood options. Build. Direct. com also lets you order flooring samples so you can see how your preferred options look in your home. Local Retailers: Local home improvement stores often carry a number of engineered wood flooring products in stock. Additionally, local flooring stores can provide samples that let you see how the color and style of the engineered floor will look in your home. Either option may offer you an on- site estimate to give you a better idea about what your project could cost. Discount Options: Start your search with Lumber Liquidators or Wayfair. Lumber Liquidators has a vast selection of engineered wood flooring to choose from. Hire a Wood Floor Professional Now. Additional Cost Considerations. No matter which type of flooring you choose, if the subfloor, joists or other structural elements need work, you can expect to pay considerably more in both labor and materials. Plywood for the subflooring averages $2. For a 1. 2- foot by 1. Additionally, carpenters often charge $2. If you want intricate details such as borders or inlaid patterns, you can expect to pay more. Keep the layout simple and you can save $1 to $2 per square foot in extra installation costs. Other ways to keep costs down include: Shopping Around: Once you find a wood type, style and color that you like, price similar options online, at local retailers and at discount flooring stores to get the most competitive pricing for your budget. Getting Multiple Estimates: Installation is a considerable cost for this project. Get estimates from two to three licensed, insured installation contractors to get the best prices. Saving on Labor Costs: Removing and disposing of the old flooring, moving furniture to another room and prepping the area can help reduce the amount you pay for the extra fees or rates that most pros charge for these tasks.
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