How To Use A Stair Runner
By Greg Vanden Berge
What is a stair runner? I've heard of stair climbers and stair
builders but what in the world is a stair runner? Well it has nothing to
do with exercise, jogging, running or climbing. Actually it is a strip
of carpet that you can use in the center of your stairway. The carpet
comes in many different styles and colors plus it comes in different
widths and thickness.
Don't be alarmed if you have never heard of a carpet runner. Over the
years I have been in a lot of homes doing work while remodeling other
peoples houses. I've seem a lot of different things in the form of
protecting the carpet and furniture. A stair runner is basically just
that. A piece of carpet designed to protect the wood stairs.
The stair runner is a great idea for eliminating the constant scrapes
and scratches that simple walking up and down the stairs on a daily
basis will cause. There is very little we can do about them. A carpet
runner will act as a barrier between your shoes and your stairway
protecting the wood from future damage. When I say future damage I mean
minor damage. If you are going to roll a refrigerator up the stairs the
runner might have little effect on the possible damage that can be done
to your stairs.
Stair runners can be purchased over the internet and at some building
supply stores. They come in different lengths to fit your needs. You
will also need to purchase stair rods to install the carpet stair
runner. These stair rods come in different styles and lengths. The stair
rods are normally screwed into your wood stairs so you will be using the
carpet runners from now on.
If you choose to go back to the wood stairway without the carpet
runner you will have some patching to do. This is not that big of a problem
if done right you will not notice the repaired holes. The
reason why I mentioned the screws into the wood stair treads and risers
is because they don't tell you this when you are buying the stair runner
or stair rods. If you don't want to damage your stairs by screwing the
stair rods in find another way to protect your stairs.
The stair runners are pretty easy to install and don't require a
building contractor. It is a simple Straight forward process.
Another advantage to the stair runner is that they can be changed as
often as you like. Your stairway is one of the major traffic areas in
the house. You will save your wood stairs a lot of wear by using the
stair runner. Without using the stair runner you will end up
refinishing the wood stairs in this area. Instead of refinishing the
wood stairs you can install a carpet runner and cover up the minor stair
damage. This will give you a nice new look to your staircase. Great idea
as a alternative to refinishing the stairs.
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