Staircases are high-traffic areas of the home. Since they experience a special kind of foot traffic, they need a special kind of flooring.
The ideal staircase floor should combine safety and comfort, offering reliable traction, good sound reduction, and high durability.
At the same time, it should enhance the home’s aesthetic, with clean lines, precise edges, and a refined finish.
Keep reading to discover the best staircase flooring ideas this year.
What Type of Flooring is Best for Stairs?
You can get all types of flooring for staircases, including carpets, laminate, hardwood, or luxury vinyl. The best floor for stairs is usually a soft carpet, a laminate with stair nosing, or hardwood flooring.
Learn more below.
Soft Carpets
Best for comfort and soundproofing.
One of the most popular staircase flooring ideas is to install a soft carpet. The best option is to pair a soft carpet with a thick underlay. This ensures your carpet feels nice around your feet and spongy to walk on.
The benefits of carpet include that it’s:
- Soft and spongy
- Non-slip
- Long-lasting and durable
- Warm underfoot
- Noise cancelling
Laminate (With Stair Nosing)
Best for its modern, visual appeal and high durability.
Using wood on staircases is a safe flooring for stairs, and laminate offers a cheaper solution compared to using solid wood or hardwood.
Make sure to choose a laminate with stair nosing on staircases. This ensures you have clean edges around each step, which increases comfort, durability, and aesthetics.
You can also install a stair runner alongside laminate to maximise traction and increase soundproofing.
Other benefits of laminate flooring for stairs include that it’s:
- Comfortable
- Modern
- Affordable
- Durable
- Easy to clean
Hardwood (With or Without a Stair Runner)
Best for maximising resale value.
Hardwood flooring is made from solid wood, which makes it a more premium type of staircase floor. A modern interior design trend is to pair hardwood with a stair runner.
This enhances aesthetics, but also offers more soundproofing, comfort, and traction.
The runner also protects solid wood from scuffmarks and wear channels, which minimises the need for frequent repairs.
FAQs
What is Better for Stairs, Laminate or Vinyl?
Both options work well for stairs.
You can get laminate with stair nosing, which is the better option for staircases. It’s specifically designed to fit the shape of your stairs to maximise comfort, durability, and visual appeal.
What Can I Put On My Stairs Other Than Carpet?
You have several staircase flooring options other than carpet – including laminate, hardwood, engineered wood, luxury vinyl, and carpet tiles.
When using hard flooring (like laminate or solid wood), you can also install a stair runner (made from fabric or carpet). This looks attractive and has the added benefit of being non-slip, noise-cancelling, and comfortable.
Shop stair runners in Manchester today.
Can I Put Peel and Stick Vinyl On Stairs?
Yes, you can put peel-and-stick vinyl on stairs. It’s a quick, easy, and cheap solution for flooring staircases.
However, be mindful that using peel-and-stick vinyl on stairs won’t last long. Staircases are generally high-traffic environments, which makes it easier for the vinyl to slip out of place.
A better solution is to use a cheap laminate, luxury vinyl (which is affordable but hardwearing), or a cheap carpet.
Shop Flooring for Stairs Today
Ready for new staircase flooring? At Floor Express, we stock, deliver, and install carpet for stairs in Manchester with care and professionalism.
Shop carpet for stairs or book a free measurement now.
