What Is The Best Flooring Material For Your Staircase?

Are you walking down your worn staircase, forever grumbling that one of these days you will renovate? Well, this could be the sign you’ve been waiting for, as we’ve got your guide to discovering the best flooring for your stairs! Whether you’re a DIYer or looking for flooring installation in Toronto or the GTA, there is an ideal flooring material for every staircase! 

So read on to discover the most common flooring materials for your staircase and how to decide which is best for your home!

Staircase Flooring Considerations

Before we discuss the different flooring materials that work well with staircases, there are a few “guidelines” or “considerations” that you should keep in mind while selecting suitable material for your space.

• Your design preference and style.
• What is your budget? When considering your budget, you should factor in the cost of materials and flooring installation in Toronto or the GTA.
• Where are your stairs? Are they in the heart of the house; if so, it’s best to use noise-cancelling material like carpet.
• How much time are you willing to spend maintaining your floors? For instance, installing hardwood will require more maintenance.
• The final consideration is safety. No matter what material you choose for your stairs, they should have some kind of tread or traction to prevent slips and falls.

The Best Flooring For Your Stairs

When homeowners think of staircase flooring, they often think of traditional wooden planks or carpets; both are wonderful options, but what about other less traditional options? The good news is that there is an array of exciting materials on the market.

Hardwood

The most popular look for the stairs is always hardwood or engineered hardwood. Homeowners love hardwood, and with many varieties available, there is a hardwood to match every design scheme.

Pro Tip: The primary drawbacks to hardwood flooring are the cost, as it will require professional flooring installation in Toronto or the GTA, it’s creaky when in use, and its slick surface underfoot is a safety risk as it increases your risk of slipping and falling down the stairs. To help combat these downsides, regularly maintain your floors so they last longer, get your flooring installer to use sound buffering strategies during installation (e.g., metal brackets), and use a carpet runner or another textured layer on each step to prevent slips.

Carpet

Carpet may not be the first choice for every homeowner, but it is ideal for noise-cancelling and is great for homes with children, as they are less likely to slip on carpet. It is also a popular option on basement stairs, as it retains heat and doesn’t squeak the way hardwood does.

Pro Tip: If you’re considering carpeted stairs, the main concerns are moisture and stains. Water and carpet do not mix, and for homeowners with kids, there is always the risk of stains. Stains mean constant maintenance to prevent them from setting in. One way to have it all is to use a carpet runner for good traction; plus it requires less cleaning than a fully carpeted staircase.

Luxury Vinyl Plank

Do you love the look of hardwood, but it’s just not suitable for your staircase? A popular alternative is luxury vinyl planks (LVPs). LVPs are also a great DIY project for exceptionally handy homeowners. Other benefits of LVPs are that they are durable, easy to clean, and come in various wood-look finishes. 

Pro Tip: Unlike hardwood, which has a slick finish that poses a safety risk, LVP comes in different finishes, like a textured finish that gives you more traction to prevent falls.

Laminate

Another hardwood alternative is laminate plank floors. Laminate was the primary wood-look alternative flooring until luxury vinyl entered the flooring market. Laminate and LVP boast many of the same benefits, like being easier to install, great for a seasoned DIYer, affordable, available in many colours, durable, and offering a textured finish. 

Pro Tip: A common complaint about laminate is that it can look artificial. While this may be true, you can play with laminate. For instance, you can use contrasting shades of laminate on the treads and risers for a creative look.

Metal

Metal is the final material for your stairs and is very popular in modern design. You can have a flooring installer in Toronto put in a metal staircase or use metal accents, such as the balusters, for an industrial or modern feel.

Pro Tip: Although metal offers a striking finish when found indoors, it also has a cooling effect. Thus, balance the cool metal vibes with wood to warm up your stairs.

Which Flooring Material Is Right For Your Stairs?

Ultimately, the perfect flooring material for your staircase depends on your needs. For instance, if you have a family, carpet is ideal, but hardwood may be the preferred choice for a traditional homeowner. The key thing to remember is that you take the time to consider what you need, and if you are still unsure about which flooring material is best, then reach out to a reputable flooring contractor, like the Brothers Flooring, to ask for their professional advice. Many flooring contractors like us offer free consultations so we can help you decide which material is best for your staircase!