There are few things more satisfying, when it comes to home design, than a beautifully floored staircase rising from your hallway. However, the decision about whether or not to choose wood flooring for stairs should not be entirely based on aesthetics. Wood flooring is warm to the feet but you should also consider your household’s needs and the amount of footfall your stairs and landing take.

Whether you choose carpet, laminate flooring or wood flooring for stairs and landing areas, you need to make sure that it blends in with the rest of your home and provides you with exactly the finish you need. We have the essential guide to wood flooring for the stairs and landing.

Reasons for wanting wood flooring for stairs

Sometimes the decision to replace stair flooring is born out of necessity, worn carpet or damaged treads are dangerous and need to be dealt with as soon as possible. However, many people make the decision to choose a new stair floor because they want to update their home. There is no doubt that a wooden floor in any part of the house can deliver a significant visual and aesthetic impact. If you are considering selling your home and are going for top-end prices in your market, or want to ensure that your property stands out from the crowd, a wooden staircase can really deliver the results you are after.

Consider your household needs

Before choosing wood flooring for stairs and landing areas, it is important to consider your household’s needs. Wood flooring looks amazing but it can be difficult for young children, pets, the elderly or those with mobility issues to safely negotiate. Wood flooring offers more potential for slips than carpet or stair runners, particularly if your household enjoys running around in their socks or slippers.

Although spills are less likely on the stair than in other areas, they do still occur and it is here that wood flooring for stairs has an advantage with spills being easier to wipe up and less likely to stain than from carpeted stairs. Another household consideration when you are thinking about wood flooring for stairs is the lack of allergens and dust on a wooden floor compared to carpet. If someone in your household suffers from dust-related allergies, this could be a really important factor.

Consider the traffic your stairs and landing will take

The hall, landing and stairs of any home take more foot traffic than other areas. This is an important consideration when it comes to choosing between carpet, laminate flooring or wood flooring for stairs and landing areas. Wood flooring is naturally hard wearing, particularly if you choose a tough, hardwood floor. For example, European oak is around three times harder than pine and walnut is the densest wood flooring available.

When it comes to the slightly higher costs of wood flooring for stairs and landing areas, it pays to remember that the longevity of wood floors when compared to carpet or laminate may well pay for itself in the long run.

Think about the aesthetics of wood flooring for stairs

If you are leaning towards choosing wood flooring for your stairs and landing areas, you can start to consider the aesthetics you are after. Stairs rise up from other floors, making them more immediately visible and allowing them to deliver more positive impact. Wood flooring gives a sleek and elegant look and often delivers a real ‘wow factor’ as you open the front door. Carpeted stairs, although less elegant, can look more cosy and may suit a property with a cottagey feel.

A surprising amount of people who opt for a wooden floor do not initially consider their colour choice but it is as important to consider the colour of your staircase and landing floor as it is for your main living areas. Before you make your choice of wood floor colour, consider what you would like to achieve,

•  A colour that contrasts with the rest of your home will make an impact
• Red shades of wood floors suggest luxury
• Brown wood gives a country feel
• Lighter coloured wooden floors can brighten up a dull corner
• Dark colours make a space seem smaller whereas light colours can enlarge it

Understand the difference between solid wood floors and engineered wood floors

It is important to understand the difference between engineered and solid wood flooring so that you can make an informed decision when it comes to wood flooring for stairs and landing areas. Solid wood floorboards are created from a single piece of wood and given a protective coating. Engineered wood floorboards are constructed from a plywood or HDF base with a bonded solid wood top.

Engineered wood has its advantages; for example, it responds well to changes in humidity and temperature, making it ideal for kitchens, conservatories and bathrooms. However solid wood floors, because of their structure, offer more flexibility of design, can be more easily shaped to suit your stair area and can be sanded and refinished many times should the high staircase footfall cause damage.

Choose experienced professionals to fit your stair flooring

With any stair flooring, but particularly if you choose wood flooring for stairs and landing areas, it is important to make sure that your new floor is properly and safely fitted. The risk of injury from a trip or fall is far greater on a staircase than it is on a level floor.

When it comes to fitting a wooden floor, a professional fitter will make sure that the stairs have been correctly measured and prepared and will understand how to ensure the perfect fit and finish you are looking for. There is absolutely no point in laying out money to buy your dream wooden floor if the finish ends up disappointing.

Choosing any floor but particularly a wooden floor for stairs and landing areas is a financial investment and it is important to consider the options and take professional advice. If you have any questions about your flooring needs please feel free to get in touch with our expert team. We offer professional advice, a wide choice of products for both stairs and other home areas, and expert installation. For peace of mind we also offer maintenance and care advice. For a free, no-obligation quote get in touch with us on 020 8959 2629 and talk to our team.

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