As the focal point of your hallway, it’s only right that you put a good deal of thought into your staircase.
An attractive hardwood staircase will add a touch of elegance to your home. They’re also extremely durable and offer a fantastic return on investment. But should you leave your wooden staircase bare to showcase the natural beauty of the wood, or go for carpeted stairs?
In this blog, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of carpeted and wooden staircases to help you decide on the best option for your home.
Are wooden staircases safe?
You may have concerns around the safety of wooden treads on your staircase.
Most slips on wooden staircases occur when wearing socks without shoes. If you’d prefer wooden treads, then wearing slippers or going barefoot will provide more grip. Additionally, you should never polish the wooden treads of your staircase, as this will make them extremely slippery.
If you have young children or pets, it’s safer to have your staircase carpeted to avoid the risk of accidents.
Are wooden staircases noisy?
They can be. If you have a busy household, with people running up and down your stairs constantly, then it’s important to consider this when deciding whether or not to add carpet.
Carpeted treads will muffle the sound of members of your household ascending and descending your wooden staircase.
Appearance
Whilst carpet offers endless options in terms of colour and style, a wooden staircase can bring a sense of grandeur to your home.
It’s entirely down to your personal taste as to whether you prefer the appearance of wooden or carpeted treads.
Are wooden staircases more durable than carpeted ones?
Your wooden staircase will inevitably see a lot of foot traffic – serving as a vital link between floors.
The centre of your staircase will be used far more than the edges. So, if you opt for carpeted stairs, you’re likely to notice that the centre starts to look worn more quickly, causing an uneven appearance.
Using carpet that is specifically designed for areas of high foot traffic can help to counter this effect. However, once the carpet on your stairs wears out, it will need to be replaced.
Are wooden staircases easier to clean?
Wooden staircases are definitely easier to keep clean than carpeted ones. Carpeted stairs trap dust and stain far more easily than wooden staircases, and vacuuming can be a real headache.
If your family members are prone to wandering around in muddy shoes, then wooden treads may be the best option for you.
The best of both worlds
Do you love the rustic charm of a wooden staircase, but need the additional safety of carpeted treads, and simply can’t decide?
Carpeted stair runners are the ideal solution here. Giving you the best of both worlds, they will provide you with safety and style whilst leaving the edges of each beautiful wooden tread exposed.
Talk through your wooden staircase options with an expert
Every family is different, and you’ll need to consider what will work best for your home when deciding whether or not to carpet your stairs.
To talk through some wooden staircase design options with an expert, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the friendly team here at Abbott Wade.
You can give us a call on 01744 634442, or send us a message using our online contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
