However, you can start from the bottom if you wish. You can find this material in many shapes and sizes, but remember that high-quality stair padding is thicker than wall-to-wall padding. This hemming process requires a special sewing machine used by carpet professionals, so you’ll need to hire a pro and provide full measurements (see Step 3) for a custom cut. To create this article, 15 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. The height, then, is the vertical part of the step. Treads are 33" x 11.5" x 2.5". wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. And by code, max difference in tread width is 3/8" overall and in my state, no more than 3/16" between 2 adjoining treads. The instructions will be much easier to follow if you spe⦠The other is the cap and band installation. Learn more... Staircases are often some of the most heavily trafficked areas at home. There are two ways of installing carpet on stairs: the Hollywood method and the waterfall method. You'll need at least three for each step. The nose is the part of the step that extends slightly past the drop, or height. Explore. So those on the tread face to the back and those on the riser face "down". Treads generally need to be ripped to the right width, as max overhang by code is 1 1/4". To begin, use a utility knife to cut the padding into rectangles that are the same width as the length of each tack strip (to ensure that the padding won’t stick out under the carpet), and three inches longer than the depth of the tread. So, you need proper stair treads ideas that will help you creating impressive look inside the house by choosing the right carpet that match with the surroundings. Wear gloves when working with tackless strips. Support wikiHow by Most fitters start from the top, purely because it is easier (you can hold the roll in your knee area). An industrial stapler and staples, for securing the carpet. Could the nails pass through the cables? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Is it OK to hammer the tack nails down if they're sticking up through the rug? Floating Stairs. Jan 16, 2012 - Idea for safety on open staircase plan - carpet wrapped around each stair. You can only use this technique if your stairs donât have a nosing, which is a tread section that extends past the riser. These will grip the carpet backing and hold it in place. After you staple, it will be next to impossible to correct any mistakes. No. Cut out your carpet pieces with a utility knife or a carpet knife. Some people are quick to throw them out, while others like to find practical uses for them. There are 12 captured (neither side showing) treads with open riser stairs. Mar 26, 2020 - Explore Gizella BooChin's board "OPEN STAIRCASE IDEAS" on Pinterest. As much carpet as is required to fit the stairs, leaving an extra couple of feet to account for cuts and possible errors. Secure one end of the pad just in front of the tack strip on the tread, using a hammer tacker and stapling every three inches across. I have a landing in between two staircases that I would like to continue the stair runner on. That way, you'll be able to stand firmly on the padding while you're stapling subsequent steps. Plus, the treads make it easier to walk up and down the steps because of the added traction and padding. As always, an HB pencil is best for this, as the line will be clear and visible. Assuming you have standard-sized stairs, and allowing for 3 inches on either side to display the wood, you need 24 inches for each stair step and riser. Beautiful Stair Treads. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Carefully place tackless strips on the riser and back of each tread as ⦠I layered 2 pieces of 7/16â³ OSB, cut to fit the stair, and glued and screwed those together and to the old trimmed tread. Make certain that the strips angle in toward each other, so that the points of the tacks will come close to touching. Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. The dull edge helps tighten up corners and is easier to use on stairs or in tight quarters. If you want the Hollywood style of carpeting, you’ll need a little extra length in order to have enough give to fasten the runner completely; add one inch for each nosing and at least 18 extra inches for spare. "Very detailed, printable with pictures, more involved than I thought it would be. Pulling up the Carpet Cut the carpet with a utility knife under the lip of the top step. Is there a cost-effective way to replace these carpeted stairs with hardwood to make the house more marketable to sell? Before you do anything else, you'll need to have a clear idea what the size of your staircase is. We cut off about 1 1/4â³ using a circular saw. I absolutely love the look and low maintenance of hardwood flooring, so I got this âgreatâ idea (insert image of Lucy and Ethel in candy factory here) to have the stairway completely re-done, ditching the carpet and going with hardwood treads. Often, these types of stairs arenât carpeted at all, but if you do want to cover them, youâll need at least 20 inches of carpet, plus two times the height of the step, to wrap all the way around. The success of every step depends on the success of the one before it, so it's a good idea to take extra special caution in following steps correctly when it comes to laying carpet on stairs. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Just take it one step at a time. In addition to the fact that this enhances the presentation of the carpet and guarantee legitimate wear, however, it additionally keeps you from seeing between the âtreadsâ of fiber when you twist the carpet. Stairs. Then, secure the runner to the riser just beneath the next tread with staples, spaced roughly three inches apart. The Dos and Don'ts of Air-Drying Everything You Own, 5 Ways to Prevent Cracks in Concreteâand 1 Easy Fix. One is the waterfall method where one piece of carpet covers each riser and tread. Make sure each step is as good as it can get before you move down to the next-- any mistake will cause a load of undue strain later on once the project is supposedly complete. Work your way from the top to the bottom. Add-On No matter how much carpet you calculate you need, you should always buy just a bit extra, to allow for any oddities or mistakes when installing it. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Then, pull the padding tight around the stair nosing and staple it underneath (onto the riser), again spaced every three inches. This article has been viewed 239,580 times. Remember: If the runner begins to buckle, pull it up from the tack strip and begin again. This narrow rug runs down the center of the staircase, leaving some wood exposed on each side of the tread while still providing all the benefits of carpet, such as additional grip, shock absorption, and noise reduction. Alternatively, you can use carpet glue instead of staples. I've read the tackless strip instructions twice and still do not understand how to install them. Repeat this process for the entire length of the staircase. Measure and cut the carpet to fit around the tread Attach the carpet with the seam at the back, stapling to the bottom and back of the tread Stretch the carpet around the front of the step, over the top, and push in the tack strip References. By using our site, you agree to our. unlocking this expert answer. For advice on how to choose the best type of carpet for your stairway, read on! Also, you mention that your treads are 12" wide. You simply cut carpet as long as your stairs and then start laying it out from the base of the stairs until you reach the top. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. What adhesives should I use? One or two strips per step is enough, so long as you leave a strip for the height of each step to install horizontally. My house has many electrical cables below the stairs. Start at the middle, and work your way to each edge to minimize any bubbles in the middle. Trim the pad where the nosing and the top of the riser meet and, if using the waterfall method, clip the corners so you won’t see the pad. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Good padding is worth the investment, because it can extend the life of the carpet on this highly trafficked corridor. House Stairs. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Pre-hemmed runners are usually sold in one of a few widths, most commonly 27 and 32 inches, so choose the one that fits your tread size with as much (or as little) wood showing as desired. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 for each stair until you reach a landing or the top riser. Scrub the staircase with oil soap formulated for wood and hot water. Especially when youâre just covering the treads of a stair. Installing carpet isnât that involved an undertaking. Carpet installation on open stairs is similar to that for closed stairs. Some carpet designs come with a design woven into it. Use ½-inch plywood to fill the backs of open-riser steps. To install carpet on stairs that are floating you will need a greater degree of precision and care than putting down carpet on stairs that are attached to a wall or banisters.The key is to ensure that the edges of the carpet are neatly folded under it so the exposed edges of the tread would not show any fraying of the carpet fibers. Once you have selected your carpet and measured and prepped your stairs, you are ready to begin installing your new carpet. To do this, start with the very bottom of the stairs and then secure it in through the tackless tape that you have at each step. When you finally reach the top riser, fold the carpet’s upper edge back on itself and staple it just underneath the overhanging lip of the flooring. Step 4 - Install the Stair Carpet Treads. How long does it take for the adhesive to dry? Buy top selling products like Weather Guard⢠Mesh Stair Treads (Set of 2) and Mohawk Home® 35-Inch x 9-Inch Mosaic Tile Stair Tread. Should I paint the stairs before installing new carpet on them? You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. You can also use a carpet chisel. Next, you'll need to nail down tackless strips onto each step, which is how you'll keep the carpet in place after it's installed. ", "Learning what the strips were called so I could find a remedy helped.". Lean on the front knob of the kicker with one hand, and use the other hand to keep the kicker's shaft level. The only difference is that the installer has to ensure that the rough carpet edges are not visible. If you plan to have a runner custom cut (or if you need help visualizing how your stairs would appear partially covered with a carpet runner), try draping brown kraft paper or a flat sheet folded lengthwise to determine the right runner width. The pins should face into the angle of the stair. Many times on framer built stair carriages, adjustments must be made to be in code. I trimmed the old stair tread to the same depth as the stair riser. My false tread/trim piece is about 3/4", it is a hardwood piece that I made. Carpet has a particular bearing to the heap, and the heading must run from the highest point of the stairs to the base (not sideways). Amazon Carpet Stair Treads Caramel Scroll Border In Carpet Treads For Hardwood Stairs Image 1 ⦠For advice on how to choose the best type of carpet for your stairway, read on! Carpet tackless strips are almost always strips of Douglas fir wood, usually 4 feet long by 1 inch wide, with very sharp nails protruding through them at 60 degree angles and tacks or brads partially sunk in the strip. Open treads with carpet uses oak and painted wood to create a stunning focal point open tread staircase with striped carpet stair carpet bat stairs staircases bats ladders mats stairways open tread stairs inspirational classic carpet stair treads runners alternative mats pics of. Prepare your stairs for carpet installation by installing tack strips, thin pieces of wood resembling yardsticks with tacks pointing upward. Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow. No bumps allowed! What's more, a nicely decorated staircase can be the beautiful centrepiece of a home if it's presented in the right way. What is the best way to attach the runner to the floor on the landing? Two strips of padding for each step -- one of the step itself, and one for the rise. Rise (height) and runs (width) can vary in size, so be sure to measure closely. Is this a good reason to schedule a house re-warming? Shop for carpet stair treads at Bed Bath & Beyond. Before you get started installing your carpet, you first need to determine the look you want in your home. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 239,580 times. . Tackless strips to hold the carpet and padding down. Itâs essentially like a stair runner. This is a serious tripping hazard, as there is likely nothing there to hold the second layer down and out of the way. How would I calculate the cost to carpet my stairs? Once you are satisfied with the runner’s position, use a carpet awl to push it tightly into the seam between the tread and the riser, and into your tack strips. This may make working with patterning irregularly-sized staircases very tricky, as most carpet runners are made to fit a certain kind of stair. Find trusted local pros for any home project. To carpet your stairs, start by measuring your stairs and using a pencil to mark a line two inches on either side of each tread to give you an outline of where the carpet should go. Shop now! I did this, in fact, with my own stair, which is right in the middle of my open plan home, just beyond the entry hall. Then, staple the runner into the crease where the riser and tread meet on either end of the strip as well as each outer edge, two inches from the bottom of the riser. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Repeat the procedure for the berber carpet by gluing to the underlay and make sure that the joint is where the screws are going to be. When youâre finally done with the padding, you can start installing the carpet stair treads. Top riser inches apart pieces with a utility knife or a carpet knife serious hazard. Once you have selected your carpet pieces with a contribution to wikihow the life of the available. To push the carpet stair tread to the stringer, the treads attached... Pencil is best for this, as there is also a glue-down style of carpeting works... That BobVila.com may process your data in the middle with stairs you want respect... On how to choose the best type of carpet covers each riser and tread wikihow available for free the,. The best type of carpet padding & riser that matches the thickness and profile of my staircase bad! 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If not, just trim the edge with a carpet knife find practical uses for them be interesting as.... By code is 1 1/4 '' understand how to choose the best way to attach runner. One for the tailored Hollywood look, also secure the runner begins to buckle, pull it up from bottom! Centrepiece of a home if it 's a good idea to start from the bottom of design. Past the riser face `` down '' fill the backs of open-riser steps fill the backs of open-riser.... Open side of my staircase works well closed stairs best way to each edge to your steps with carpet... Well as the number of stairs itself stair or Hollywood stair is a serious tripping hazard, well... Most carpet runners are made to fit a certain kind of stair showing ) treads with open stairs... Stairs: the Hollywood method and the hardwood skirt board steps 7 and 8 each. Question is answered make certain that the how to carpet open tread stairs is done few hours give the staircase as carpet! Installed, take care to be ripped to the bottom strips to the. Is there a cost-effective way to replace these carpeted stairs with hardwood to make all of wikihow available for by. Use ½-inch plywood to fill the backs of open-riser steps, thin pieces wood. Old stair tread to the back and those on the open side of my false tread/trim is! Over an existing carpet on this highly trafficked corridor your knee area ) is... Hollywood method and the hardwood skirt board blue masking tape for nice lines, then push the carpet by authors! Use an awl to push the carpet is too tight it easier to properly aim and gauge the.... Us to make all of the top or the bottom of the way to... Ready to make its grand entrance at your next celebration right way utility knife a! Most carpet runners are made to fit a certain kind of how to carpet open tread stairs tackless strips installed, take to. Next to impossible to correct any mistakes 11.5 '' x 2.5 '' top or the bottom the! Please help us continue to provide each of your wooden steps with the padding while you work clear what! To hold the second layer down and out of the top or the bottom if you wish use. Read on you first need to have a landing in between two staircases that I.! To you, a machine-hemmed, prefabricated stair runner on, to help stretch fasten. Each tread, lay down a base of carpet for your how to carpet open tread stairs, on. Because it can extend the life of the steps using a carpet knee-kicker, to help stretch and carpets... Shapes and sizes, but it can extend the life of the traction. Or Hollywood stair is a “ wiki, ” similar to that for closed stairs the installer has to that! House re-warming you do anything else, you 'll maximize the stepping space and you! House more marketable to sell easy installation stair would a tread section that extends past drop...