Stair treads vs carpet for basement stairs

May 20th, 2020 6:56 pm

#1

Shop-a-holic [OP]: Deal Addict; Jul 15, 2006; 1033 posts; 140 upvotes; Mississauga, ON

May 20th, 2020 6:56 pm

Stair treads vs carpet for basement stairs

Hey fellow RFDers,

We have flooring throughout the house. Basement has vinyl flooring.

The stairs are standard (painted). Trying to decide between stair treads vs getting carpet done.

I see ourselves using basement enough that we would have to have flip flops/shoes on, so the stairs don't feel too uncomfortable.

Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated, thank you!

May 20th, 2020 9:39 pm

#2

lamin: Deal Addict; Jan 21, 2011; 1466 posts; 837 upvotes; GTA

May 20th, 2020 9:39 pm

Can always put a runner and or individual carpet treads. Prefer stained treads better and no shoes or flip flop in the house.

+1

May 20th, 2020 9:43 pm

#3

Shop-a-holic [OP]: Deal Addict; Jul 15, 2006; 1033 posts; 140 upvotes; Mississauga, ON

May 20th, 2020 9:43 pm

Any idea about how much runners generally cost?

We don't currently wear shoes in the house. However, we notice the basement stairs are always dusty/dustier than the rest of the house. Hence the need to wear shoes on basement stairs or change socks.

May 20th, 2020 9:58 pm

#4

lamin: Deal Addict; Jan 21, 2011; 1466 posts; 837 upvotes; GTA

May 20th, 2020 9:58 pm

For an actual runner, I would guess 1 to $2k depending on number of treads. Don’t hold me to these numbers as I have no clue. Amazon has diy ones, but these might be trial and error. I would worry how well they stick to treads.

+1

May 20th, 2020 10:29 pm

#5

Momentix: Jr. Member; May 15, 2020; 198 posts; 122 upvotes; Thornhill ON

May 20th, 2020 10:29 pm

Home depot sells stair tread kits, you can get a basic idea. Other big box stores should also have them.

+1

May 20th, 2020 10:36 pm

#6

Jerico: Deal Guru; Jan 25, 2007; 12621 posts; 7764 upvotes; Paris

May 20th, 2020 10:36 pm

In 2010ish I was quoted $10/tread for carpet plus the carpet and $100 per tread in labour plus the wood for stained treads. I went with carpet as I wanted to switch the flooring on the main floor first.

+1

May 20th, 2020 10:48 pm

#7

Shop-a-holic [OP]: Deal Addict; Jul 15, 2006; 1033 posts; 140 upvotes; Mississauga, ON

May 20th, 2020 10:48 pm

So it appears treads with carpet or runner would run up to $1000k-ish (based on previous estimates).

I've seen some stair treads on Wayfair. I'll try to drop by Home Depot/Rona.

Any other non big box store recommendations? Also open to recommendations for getting carpet installed on the stairs. Thank you!

Last edited by Shop-a-holic on May 20th, 2020 10:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.

May 20th, 2020 10:50 pm

#8

Jerico: Deal Guru; Jan 25, 2007; 12621 posts; 7764 upvotes; Paris

May 20th, 2020 10:50 pm

Shop-a-holic wrote: ↑ So it appears treads with carpet or runner would run up to $1000k-ish (based on previous estimates).

I've seen some stair treads on Wayfair. I'll try to drop by Home Depot/Rona. Any other non big box store recommendations? Thank you!

The issue with those treads that go on existing treads is that they change the thickness of your stairs. So the first step becomes 5ish and the last step becomes 8ish which are technically illegal steps and feel uncomfortable.

Edit: the treads are also expensive for what they are... cannot be used as the main tread they say. One day i will make my own treads.

+1

May 20th, 2020 10:53 pm

#9

Shop-a-holic [OP]: Deal Addict; Jul 15, 2006; 1033 posts; 140 upvotes; Mississauga, ON

May 20th, 2020 10:53 pm

Jerico wrote: ↑ The issue with those treads that go on existing treads is that they change the thickness of your stairs. So the first step becomes 5ish and the last step becomes 8ish which are technically illegal steps and feel uncomfortable.

Edit: the treads are also expensive for what they are... cannot be used as the main tread they say. One day i will make my own treads.

My apologies, as I may have used the wrong terminology.

I've attached an image of stair treads.

Images

May 20th, 2020 11:19 pm

#10

bubuski: Deal Addict; May 23, 2009; 3622 posts; 2293 upvotes; Mississauga

May 20th, 2020 11:19 pm

Carpet definitely feels more comfortable on stairs but can look out of place if there is no carpet in either floor that it connects to.

We did stained red oak threads for our basement stairs to match the staircase going to the 2nd floor.

May 21st, 2020 7:58 am

#11

Pete_Coach: Deal Expert; May 10, 2005; 36847 posts; 11267 upvotes; Ottawa

May 21st, 2020 7:58 am

We had painted steps to the basement. They were cold and noisy and slippery when we walked on them. We carpeted them and it is much better.
Got cheaper berber type in a colour that won't show dirt so much. We have 14 steps and it cost us $700 with underlay and installation.

The most successful people are successful because they do not care about others’ opinions about them.

+1

May 21st, 2020 10:34 am

#12

stanleyt: Jr. Member; Oct 25, 2014; 165 posts; 57 upvotes; Toronto, ON

May 21st, 2020 10:34 am

Jerico wrote: ↑ In 2010ish I was quoted $10/tread for carpet plus the carpet and $100 per tread in labour plus the wood for stained treads. I went with carpet as I wanted to switch the flooring on the main floor first.

$10/tread for a typically 12-13 steps stair mean $130 for a set of basement stair...
I don't think that's accurate, but let me know where u got that quote cause we need to replace our basement stairs too.

FWIW, last year we had few quotes in, carpet was between $700-$1100, and solid oak stairs $2100. This is for 13 steps

+1

May 21st, 2020 10:38 am

#13

stanleyt: Jr. Member; Oct 25, 2014; 165 posts; 57 upvotes; Toronto, ON

May 21st, 2020 10:38 am

Shop-a-holic wrote: ↑ My apologies, as I may have used the wrong terminology.

I've attached an image of stair treads.

Yea I wouldn't call that "stair tread"
That's just looks like a tiny bath matt sized carpet you put on each step.

I'd be worry about the tiny piece slipping under your foot when someone runs on the stairs unless you glue it down..

+1

May 21st, 2020 12:16 pm

#14

Shop-a-holic [OP]: Deal Addict; Jul 15, 2006; 1033 posts; 140 upvotes; Mississauga, ON

May 21st, 2020 12:16 pm

Carpet does seem to make more sense, although there is none in the rest of the house. Any recommendations of businesses in the west end in GTA?

May 21st, 2020 1:10 pm

#15

Jerico: Deal Guru; Jan 25, 2007; 12621 posts; 7764 upvotes; Paris

May 21st, 2020 1:10 pm

stanleyt wrote: ↑ $10/tread for a typically 12-13 steps stair mean $130 for a set of basement stair...
I don't think that's accurate, but let me know where u got that quote cause we need to replace our basement stairs too.

FWIW, last year we had few quotes in, carpet was between $700-$1100, and solid oak stairs $2100. This is for 13 steps

That was the labour portion and part of a $6k carpet install. I am sure it would have been more if thats all I was doing.