Carpeting your home brings both comfort and warmth. Not only is carpet soft underfoot, it also helps to reduce noise. Carpeting can work in many rooms of your home, including on your stairs. However, the type of carpet you put on your stairs is important, as there are more factors to consider than if you were carpeting a floor. Stairs are a high traffic area of your home, so the carpet needs to be durable as well as attractive. Here are some of the best stair carpeting options for your Kansas City home.
Patterns
If you have hardwood both upstairs and down, but you still want to carpet your stairs to give them a bit of traction and softness, patterns are the way to go. Patterns have many purposes. Patterns create visual interest. They can also help to hide dirt, stains, and soiling. But you need to be careful with certain patterns, as they can create an optical illusion that makes it difficult to judge distance, and can even make steps “disappear”.
You also need to consider installation in regards to patterns on stair carpeting. Certain patterns are difficult to match up, as the carpet has to be bent and folded over the steps. This becomes even trickier if the staircase is curved or angled. For the best results, choose a carpet with a small pattern that has a short repeat.
Colors
The best color for the carpet on your staircase will depend on a few different factors. First, if you have carpeting on either floor of your home, you should choose a color that matches your existing carpet (or the carpet you are planning to lay down on either floor). If you are simply carpeting your stairs, but leaving your floors bare, choose a color that works well with the color of the flooring.
Length
The length of the carpet for your stairs depends on you and your stairs. If you are only carpeting your stairs, the carpet will start on the very first step. You can have the carpet stop on the last step, or you can have it continue to the base of the bottom step. You will need to measure the steps themselves as well as the base below. And if the steps have lips, these measurements also need to be taken into consideration. If you are having the rest of your floors carpeted, this will also play into the measurements.
Durability
Your stairs are possibly one of the highest traffic areas of your home. As such, you are going to want a carpet that is going to be able to stand up to the wear and tear of normal use. You don’t want the fibers to wear away to show the backing. You are also going to want a carpet that can resist soiling. As shoes and animal feet are constantly up and down the stairs, dirt and oils are sure to be left behind. You don’t want to have to break out the vacuum every time someone treads the steps, but you also want to make sure that the dirt doesn’t leave permanent stains. Wool and nylon are some of your best options, even polyester can stand up pretty well. You do not, however, want a carpet that is too thick. Thicker does not necessarily equate to durability, and a carpet that is too thick can create a hazard, making it quite easy to slip or trip.
Carpeting your stairs has both a functional and anesthetic purpose. But there are extra considerations that need to be kept in mind, which can make shopping for stair carpeting more difficult. This is where Windows Floors & Decor comes in. Our showroom is the perfect place for you peruse the latest name-brand carpet samples. Still not sure? We can give you our expert opinion. Contact us to schedule your consultation today!