Stairs are often the first thing you see when you walk into a two-story home, and carpeted stairs are usually the first carpet to look worn. Replacing that carpet with wood or wood-look treads is a popular upgrade, especially when new flooring is going in upstairs or down. It is also a job with more details than it looks.
What is under the carpet?
In many homes, the treads under stair carpet were never meant to be seen. They may be construction-grade lumber, plywood or particleboard, with gaps and fastener holes. Until the carpet comes up, you cannot always tell. The usual paths are:
- Refinish: if the treads are real hardwood in good shape, sanding and refinishing may be enough.
- Cap or overlay: new treads and risers installed over the existing structure.
- Replace: remove the old treads and install new ones when the existing material is not suitable to build on.
Why the stairnose matters
The stairnose is the front edge of each step, the part your foot lands on first and the part that takes the most wear. When stairs are finished with laminate or LVP, the nosing is what keeps the edge solid and safe. Generic nosing pieces do not always match a particular floor's color, texture or thickness, and mismatched edges are easy to spot on a staircase. A stairnose made to match the flooring gives a seamless look from the floor up the stairs.
Step heights and the code
Adding new material to stairs changes their dimensions. If new treads are added on top of old ones, the bottom step can get taller and the top step shorter. Residential codes based on the International Residential Code limit how tall each riser can be, set a minimum tread depth, and limit how much riser heights can vary within a flight, because uneven steps are a trip hazard. A good stair remodel plans for this from the start. If your project includes structural changes or changes to railings, check with your local building department about permit requirements.
Railings, balusters and risers
Many stair projects also update the railing, balusters or newel posts. Painted risers with stained treads are a classic look and are easier to keep clean than you might expect. If balusters are being replaced, the spacing has to meet code so small children cannot slip through.
Planning stairs with new floors
The best results come from planning stairs and flooring together: the flooring color and the stair treads are chosen as a set, transitions at landings are worked out, and the nosing is matched to the floor. Doing the floors first and the stairs "someday" often leaves a mismatch that is hard to fix later.
What to ask any contractor
- What do you expect to find under the carpet, and what happens if it is different?
- How will the stairnose match my flooring?
- How will you keep the first and last step heights even?
- Are railings, risers and paint included in the quote?
Frequently asked questions
Can I put LVP on stairs?
Yes, with a stairnose on each step that matches the flooring and is installed to keep the edge solid. Planks should be fastened as the manufacturer recommends for stairs.
Will new treads change my step heights?
They can. Material added on top raises the bottom step and lowers the top step, so a good plan accounts for this to keep risers even and within code.
Do I need a permit for a stair remodel?
Replacing finish materials like carpet and treads often does not, but structural changes or changes to railings may. Ask your local building department.
What is a custom stairnose?
A stair edge made to match your specific flooring so the color, texture and thickness line up, instead of a generic piece.
General information for homeowners, not a substitute for an in-person assessment or your product manufacturer's instructions.
