Flooring in areas surrounding staircases should be practical, hardwearing and safe, but should also make a statement about the entrance and compliment the staircase as well.
Entrance foyers can create a “wow” factor that immediately impresses those who walk through the front door. The combination of stairs, flooring, lighting and furniture create an impression that says lots about the person living beyond the entry.
The finish on the stairs can reflect the floor in the foyer or can provide a contrast. A marble floor with carpet on the stair is popular and provides the transition between the ground and first floor. Conversely a timber stair with matching timber flooring blends to provide a uniform and more contemporary look.
Unfortunately stairs are high traffic areas so thought needs to be given to finishes that minimise maintenance requirements but are still practical and look good.
Timber stairs look great but because traffic on stairs tends to be close to the centre, the finish on the timber can require frequent re-surfacing. Whilst this is not ideal there are hard finishes available that limit the frequency of re-surfacing. Get the best advice available on the most suitable product for your stair.
Carpet is an excellent finish on stairs providing a quiet, non-slip surface. But again, because the traffic on the stair is concentrated in one narrow strip up the centre, the carpet will suffer wear and will need replacing before matching carpet in the rest of the house does.
There are many alternatives available in flooring finishes, choose the one that suits your style and budget and pay extra for quality hard wearing materials on the stair itself. It will pay off in the long run and reduce maintenance in the future.
