Tips on Selecting the Perfect Stair Runner for Your Home
A carpet stair runner is typically installed on hardwood stairs and does not cover the entire width of the stair. It is bound on both sides to prevent fraying and carpet stair runners come in virtually all colors and patterns and can be cut and bound in different widths, depending on how much hardwood you want showing on each side.
Purpose of a Carpet Runner
There are many reasons homeowners add carpet stair runners over hardwood. One of the most common reasons is for safety. Hardwood stairs can be very slippery, which can present a danger, especially for children, pets or the elderly. Adding a stair runner over the hardwood stairs reduces the danger by providing traction, and a safe place to walk on the stairs. In addition, it also adds comfort. Carpet stair runners also reduce noise. Carpet absorbs sound much more than hard surfaces do, so adding a carpet stair runner will make trips up and down the stairs much quieter. A carpet runner also adds style. A hardwood staircase with a beautiful carpet stair runner creates a focal point in your home but be sure to select the proper runner. Homeowners have two options when shopping for stair runners:
1. Pre-Made Runners – These can be purchased in most box stores and give homeowners very little choice in pattern or width.
2. Custom-Made Runners – Flowers Flooring has thousands of carpets to select from for custom-made runners. We provide binding and installation service as well. During your free in-home estimate, our estimate technician will recommend patterns and widths that work well with your décor and color scheme.
Carpet Runner Width
Customers always ask our installers “How wide should the carpet runner be?” The answer to this question completely depends on the width of the staircase in your home. For stairs that are approximately 3 feet wide, Flowers Flooring suggests a 27-inch carpet runner. This width allows a good coverage of the hardwood and doesn’t make it feel like you are walking on a narrow strip, yet it’s not too wide to overpower the entire stair and leaves enough hardwood exposed on each side. For wider stairs that are 4 or 5 feet, Flowers Flooring recommends a 33-inch runner. If you have a staircase that falls outside the standard sizes listed above, a Flowers Flooring estimator will recommend the appropriate size during your free in-home estimate.
Patterned Carpet Runner
A patterned carpet runner can be a stunning choice. There are thousands to select from, so be sure the pattern will work on your stairs. Some patterned stair runners are more effective on long, flat surfaces, such as a runner in a hallway and do not look as nice on a stairway. If you have your heart set on a patterned design, Flowers Flooring recommends using a small pattern. Large patterns will get lost and will look uneven, as the pattern is bent over each stair. A small pattern will nicely showcase the design of each stair tread and riser.
Carpet Runner Padding
Just like the carpet throughout your home, a carpet runner needs a pad under it. The best carpet cushion for under a stair runner is a thin pad so that it does not raise the height of the runner by much. The pad should also be dense, to properly support the runner so that it doesn’t flex to much when walked on.
Stair runners are a great addition to your hardwood staircase for safety, style and comfort. Call Flowers Flooring (704) 445-7750 today to get started on your carpet runner project. You can schedule a FREE in-home estimate. A Flowers Flooring estimator will bring carpet samples that can be custom made into a carpet stair runner that’s perfect for your home. You may also have a remnant left over from a carpet installation that is perfect for a carpet runner. Call today to learn more.
