Your stairs’ flooring improves your household’s safety. If your home has at least two storeys, redoing the flooring helps you secure this high-traffic area. However, there is a wealth of choice in the market, and if it’s your first time to consider a renovation, you might not know how to select the right material. Here are some things to consider when choosing the flooring for your stairs.

Is it safe to use this material?

One of the most significant considerations in choosing material for your stairs is safety. Although a single-stringer staircase looks sleek, you must think of other factors, especially if you have injured family members, seniors, or toddlers in your care. 

Securing your stairs is a priority; you should look for non-slippery surfaces. Doing this is vital for homes with children and family members with limited mobility. Get durable material with extra traction, so you don’t need to replace your floors frequently.

How noisy is the surface?

Stairs in homes are often beside or close to living spaces like living or dining rooms. As such, you might want to use flooring surfaces that muffle noise. Choosing this type of flooring enables people to move through the home without bothering household members in their rooms.

Does the material make aesthetic sense?

Consider the style of your home when remodelling your stairs. For example, wood and tile look great for the main stairs in a traditional home. A floating steel staircase looks perfect for modern builds, and carpeted stairs are suitable for several architectural styles.

Types of floor covering you can use

Often, stairways withstand the highest amounts of traffic in a home. It can be challenging to ensure that stairs balance comfort, durability, and design. Here are some options for covering you could choose from.

Short-fibre carpet

Short or loop pile like Berber is the ideal flooring for stairs. Dense carpets like these could take the battering from heavy traffic, outlasting longer fibres and providing some cushioning. Get a high-quality pad; with it, you reduce your carpet’s risk for wear and tear. If you have a higher rise, carpeted stairs are also a great option.

Ceramic or stone tile

Natural stone or ceramic tiles offer several design possibilities. Tiles come in various colours, sizes, shapes, and textures, and you can use it as an accent for other materials like wood. Tile is durable, although it can be a little chilly when you walk on it barefoot.

Hardwood

Hardwood stairs are a popular choice for many homes. They are easy to maintain and can add elegance to any home. Engineered hardwood, in particular, is resistant to dents, scratches and moisture. A downside to it is its comparatively larger price tag. With the style and function you get from hardwood flooring, though, the price is well worth it.

Laminate

Laminate is a more affordable option to get a wood look. It is versatile and easy to maintain; laminate’s firm surface will not show dents or scratches the way hardwood or carpet does. Note, though, that some laminate floorings have a click-together design, which could complicate installation depending on your stairs’ dimensions.

Conclusion

Identifying the stairs for your home involves taking stock of what matters most to you. Are you an active family that must prioritise durability, a new one that needs to protect young kids just learning to walk, or a busy one that needs something that cleans quickly and easily? No matter what type of family you have, there is undoubtedly an option for you!

If you want top-notch staircases for your home, turn to Aussie Balustrading. We are a leading Perth custom staircase manufacturer; whether you’re looking for a modern fixture or a traditional one, we have the supplies and installation services for a high-quality build. Get in touch with us today for enquiries!