Alternatives to carpet on stairs

snowleopard61

My stair carpet is very tatty (not surprisingly as it's been there for a long time) and I'm wondering whether there is anything I can replace it with other than carpet. Can vinyl or laminate be used on stairs? I much prefer the laminate flooring we have downstairs; so much easier to keep clean and so much more hard-wearing. And if you do use them, do you use edging or something to secure them? Is it more expensive to fit? Unfortunately the stairs aren't in good enough condition to sand and paint, otherwise I'd have done this in the first place years ago.

If I do have to resort to carpet again, I was wondering whether it was worth getting carpet fitters to come out and quote before doing anything else. I gather a lot of people on the forum are in favour of independent carpet fitters rather than the carpet superstores.

I'd appreciate any advice please. Many thanks.

London50

Yes you can use laminate...see link below for instructions

http://www.wikihow.com/Install-Laminate-Flooring-on-Stairs

jellie

QuickStep do edging strips specifically for stairs. Their website has instructions on how to fit.

I looked into having laminate on the stairs (QuickStep). My stairs aren't straight up and down so cost more to cover anyway, but it would have been a lot more expensive than carpet.

Yorkie1

I'd be concerned about slipping on laminate / vinyl on stairs if there was any moisture on my shoes or the floor.

A.Penny.Saved

Yorkie1 wrote: »

I'd be concerned about slipping on laminate / vinyl on stairs if there was any moisture on my shoes or the floor.

I agree, someone will probably end up having a serious accident. It's the wrong type of stuff for stairs IMO.

Personally I would never have the stuff in my house.

snowleopard61

Thank you. I think the cost is probably going to be prohibitive where laminate is concerned. I may take advice from a carpet fitter about the feasibility of vinyl.

Newly_retired

Have you considered the sisal types of carpet?

benson1980

I did laminate on my stairs- laminate on top, the nosing to go with it, and then I painted pine planks to use as risers as a contrast. A bit like this in effect (photos at bottom of page):

http://practicallyrenovating.wordpress.com/tag/laminate-flooring/

It did look good, had loads of compliments, and never had any issues with slipping etc. It was noisy though hence why we've gone for carpet on stairs in the new house. This was DIY though and doing the stairs did take a while compared to laying in rooms so cost to install may be quite expensive.

boliston

If I did have stairs then carpet would be the last thing I would use for them - If they were wood stairs I would probably sand them down and lacquer.