Putting laminate floors upstairs..what should I do with my stairs

genyaf · 01-02-2008, 04:13 PM

Hi,

I am planning to pull out pet-stained carpet in my townhouse and replace with laminate floors. I already have laminate floors throughout the first floor. The carpet leads up the stairs to the second floor where there is a landing which leads to two bedrooms. There are pet stains throughout the landing and master bedroom area so I'm sure I want to pull out the carpet there. The carpet in the second bedroom is fine so I plan to leave it. I've been hearing that it's not a good idea to put laminate on the stairs, but I'm concerned that having laminate on the first floor, and the landing/master bedroom but carpet on the stairs will look goofy.

What options shoudl I be considering?

thanks

Floorwizard · 01-02-2008, 06:10 PM

Carpet is fine, it will just wear out quicker.

Lam is way more durable and easy to clean although it takes more effort to install.

it can be slippery, that is the only reason why it would not be recommended.

stair runners can help with that.

mike costello · 01-02-2008, 06:27 PM

Wilsonart makes a full size star trea that looks pretty cool. Made just like a wooden tread only out of laminate. It is super slippery in socks though ,so I would recommend a carpet runner down the center.

The only downside to the Wilsonart is it has no good way to finish the edges if you have open stairs at the bottom (meaning there is no wall on both sides of the tread).

You can do the risers with the laminate planks or just use pine and paint it.

Other brands of laminate make a stair nose that you use along with the planks on the stair. The disadvantage here is the stairnose overlaps the plank and there will be a slight lip on your stair. The advantage is you can frame in an open stair with this .

Klint · 01-02-2008, 10:57 PM

I have it in my Livingroom and hall way.... I love it .. The only thing is if you get water on it and leave it it will start to warp .... I love mine though.

pavola · 01-02-2008, 11:52 PM

There are bullnose pieces which overlap the laminate flooring and cap the carpet, in your case, on the last stair riser. It's a decent looking transition, just make sure it's secured good.