I'm considering upgrading my stairway by replacing the carpet with red oak and white backing. It seems pretty popular lately. The cost for 15 stairs is around $4,000. I'm curious to know if others have made this switch and whether they regret it or are happy with the upgrade. Also, is that a fair price for this kind of work? I'm located in North Carolina, and I'd love to hear some opinions!
3 Answers
I removed carpet from my oak stairs, and I can tell you it was a mistake! I slipped down in my socks and ended up with a burst fracture in my T-9 vertebra. I definitely wouldn't recommend wooden stairs unless you're careful or have treads or a runner installed.
Wow, that's scary! I'm genuinely reconsidering now about my future hardwood plans.
Honestly, I can't stand carpet. I switched to hardwood and love it! The look is so much nicer, and easier to clean too. If you’re in socks, just be careful; that’s the only thing to watch out for. My husband and I manage fine, but we do have some non-slip treads for safety.
Agreed! I went from carpet to hardwood and never looked back. We added some treads just in case, and it works perfectly.
Same here! My old dog had some trouble at first, but now he’s gotten used to it.
Both carpet and hardwood have their pros and cons. If your home is mainly occupied by adults, hardwood is often a great choice. However, consider the slip risk if you have kids, seniors, or pets at home. It might be tempting to add a runner later to the hardwood stairs, which could negate some of the aesthetic benefits of removing the carpet in the first place. Just keep that in mind as you decide!
I get what you're saying! I've slipped on carpeted stairs more than on hardwood, but I think it also depends on the person and how they navigate stairs.
Totally! You can always add anti-slip paint or treads to boost safety without going back to carpet.
That sounds rough! My dog nearly fell down too. We ended up putting a runner on just to be safe.