A stairrunner is a piece that does not cover the entire width or stairway. It is usually installed on hardwood or tiled stairs. You can find runner in almost any color and pattern, and they are also available in different widths.
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Why not add a runner to your team?
A runner can be added to a staircase for a variety of reasons. Safety is one of the most important and obvious reasons for adding a runner to a staircase. Safety is a key reason for tiled or wood stairs. This can pose a danger to children, pets and people with mobility problems.
A runner provides safety and comfort for those who are unable to climb stairs. Carpet absorbs sound better than hard surfaces, so a runner can make it easier to climb and descend the stairs.
A carpet runner is a great way to add style. A staircase with a runner can create a focal point for your home. However, it is important to choose the right runner.
A carpet runner is a great way to add style. A staircase with a runner can create a focal point for your home. However, it is important to choose the right runner.
You have two choices when it comes to securing a runner for stairs: either a pre-made one, which is usually patterned, or a custom made one, which is often made from broadloom.
Runner Width
A common question when considering a staircase is what width should the carpet runners be. This will depend on how wide your staircase is.
We recommend a width of 27 inches for stairs with a maximum width of 3 feet. This width provides good coverage, so you don’t feel like your steps are on a narrow strip. It is also not too wide to overwhelm the stairs.
A 32-inch or 33-inch runner would be a good choice for wider stairs, which are approximately 4 or 5 feet wide. It will show a lot of floor on both sides and will not be affected by the staircase’s size.
You can have a custom-made runner made if your staircase is not within the range of standard sizes. This will allow you to tailor it to your needs to ensure that it fits your desired scale. For more information about making a broadloom runner, see the following.
Type of pattern
Beautiful, pattern-based runners come in an endless variety of colors and designs. Make sure the pattern is compatible with stairs. Some patterns work better on long flat surfaces like a hallway runner. They don’t work well if they are folded or bent over stairs. This is especially true if you have a winding or curved staircase.
We recommend that you avoid using any type of pattern on stairs unless your staircase is straight. It can be challenging to match a linear pattern on straight staircases. It is possible to ruin the effect if the pattern is not perfectly aligned. You should have a professional install it if you are serious about this pattern.
Non-geometric designs such as abstracts and florals found in Oriental rugs are good choices for stairs. These designs are not as precise in matching as geometrics, and create a beautiful finished look.
The pattern size
The pattern size
It is best to choose a small size stairrunner for the scale of your pattern. Larger patterns will be lost as the carpet bends around each step. The treads and risers will be more prominently displayed if the patterns are smaller. A small pattern will make narrow staircases appear wider. Multiple patterns can trick the mind into thinking that the staircase is larger.
Custom Runner
You might prefer a runner that has no pattern or a subtler design, such as a cut-and-loop style. A broadloom runner is the best choice in these situations. You can customize the runner to fit your needs and finish the edges by binding or serging.
A custom-made broadloom runner can be cheaper than buying a premade one. You don’t need a lot of carpet to cover a staircase. Therefore, you might be able to buy a remnant at a discount and have it cut to your specifications.
You don’t have to search for remnants that are long and narrow. Runners should not be installed on stairs in one piece. Pre-made runners can be cut into sections to fit the stairs. A remnant, or a piece, of carpet can be cut into sections and installed on the stairs.
Stair Treads
You can cover the tread only with a runner, leaving the back (or riser) of the stairs unprotected. This can create a different effect than covering the entire stairway. It is a great choice for minimalistic and modern decors.
Decorative rods
Stair runners can be equipped with rods as an optional accessory. An aluminum rod is attached to the back of the staircase, between the tread and the riser. The rod does not hold the runner in its place. Stitches, tackles or any other method deemed necessary by the installer are used to attach the runner. The rod is decorative only and is entirely optional. To enhance the overall appearance of the rod, ornamental finials are often placed at the ends.
Unterpad
Even though the carpet runner is only a small piece, it still needs a cushion or an underpad. A thin cushion is the best to use under a carpet runner. It should not raise the height of runner. It should be dense to support the runner and not allow the carpet to move around.
For under a stairrunner, a pad of one-quarter inch thickness is ideal. Because rubber is very dense and firm, it’s a great option to use under a runner.
To allow the cushion to be seated against the staircase, the cushion should be slightly wider than the runner.
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