If you're getting hardwood flooring put down in your home, one of the decisions that you'll need to make before you buy your supplies is whether you want to replace the treads of your staircase with matching hardwood. Your flooring contractor can install these new treads at the same time that they install hardwood flooring in your preferred rooms, but you'll want to think carefully about whether this job is right for you. Here are some pros and cons of having hardwood stair treads.
Pro: A Visual Match
A big perk of choosing hardwood stair treads when you're getting hardwood flooring installed is that the stairs will match the floor in the nearby rooms. The result can be visually impressive — and, for many homeowners, better than the look of hardwood flooring with carpeted stairs, for example. You'll need to shop carefully to ensure that you can find hardwood stair treads that are an exact match to the flooring that you're buying.
Con: Louder During Use
You may find that hardwood stair treads are louder as people ascend and descend the staircase than carpeted stairs. This is more of a concern if people wear shoes in your home, and if you have family members — teenagers, perhaps — who stomp loudly when they use the stairs. If you're adamant about getting hardwood stair treads, it may be time to talk to your family members about using the stairs more quietly.
Pro: Lack Of Wear
Carpeted stair treads begin to show their age over time. Because people often travel up the center of the staircase rather than along either edge, it's common for the carpet in the center of each tread to slowly get crushed down. Sometimes, the edge will even become bare. This is a concern because it doesn't look very good, and you may need to invest in new carpeting. With hardwood stair treads, you won't have such a concern because of how well hardwood stands up to use.
Con: Difficult For Pets
If you have pets, you may find that some of them struggle with using hardwood stairs. Some dogs, for example, are hesitant to go up and down staircases at the best of times, and the slick surface of hardwood treads may be a challenge for them. It may be worthwhile to take your dog to the house of a friend who has hardwood stairs to test them out before you make this investment in your own home.
Contact a company like Floorcoverings of Marin County today to learn more.
