STAIR TREADS: THE RIGHT STEP TOWARD BEAUTY

STAIR TREADS: THE RIGHT STEP TOWARD BEAUTY AND FUNCTIONALITY

A beautiful staircase is the crown jewel of any multi-story home. And what can better enhance such a feature than to add stair treads to provide protection from accidents and to prolong the life of the structure?

Specifically, the stair tread is the flat surface that your foot touches when ascending or descending. This part of the stair step is made from a variety of materials. Without a cover that spans across this surface, you run the risk of not only causing nicks and scratches but also slipping and falling.

When you consider any change to your home, naturally, safety comes to mind. And installing stair treads provides more protection from falling down the staircase.

Benefits relating to safety include:

• Decreased chances of tripping due to added traction
• Improved stability and grip with each step

Furthermore, with their increased visibility, they adhere to ADA compliance regulations.

In addition to the safety factor, stair treads serve well by providing protection and prolonging the life of the surfaces by:

• Protecting stairs from daily traffic
• Preventing scuffs and scratches
• Minimizing maintenance costs
• Providing an easy-to-clean surface

Replacing treads is also less expensive than replacing the actual stair steps, should they wear out over time, which is why they prove to be a wise investment. Plus, they help protect the underlying construction, and installation doesn’t involve reconstructing the steps.

Additionally, you can look forward to a product that requires little effort to keep clean if it’s made from 100% propylene. Plus, this material does not “shed” a great deal which means less wear over time. Not only that, you’ll have added warmth and comfort that takes the chill away from cold, hard flooring.  

Of course, there are many factors to ponder as you shop for stair treads—from size to color to texture. Some details to consider include:

• A preference for bull nose or standard treads
• Type of material
• Moisture/stain resistance
• The need for UV stabilization to protect from exposure to the sun
• Style
• Size

So, looking at the differences between the look and degree of maintenance with different materials is important. For example, you might love the texture of wool, but it might require more effort to keep it clean.  

In relation to style and purpose, you’ll have to choose between a standard stair tread or what’s called a bull nose. The latter of the two wraps around the edge of the step and provides more “fluidity.” The standard, on the other hand possesses a small amount of space between the tread itself and the step’s edge.

In addition to the type of tread, you’ll need to decide what color and/or patterns are suitable for the space. If the walls that surround the staircase already have a pattern on the wallpaper or if it’s painted on, then a solid color would look best. Likewise, if your walls sport a solid color, then patterned stair treads might be a great option to add more zeal to the overall décor of that space.

And most importantly, you’ll need to measure the steps before you go shopping. Having accurate measurements will not only save a lot of time but possibly a lot of money. This is accomplished by:

• Measuring the length and width of the step
• Measuring how you want the treads to rest on the surface (in the case of standard)
• Writing down exactly how many steps will need coverage

By measuring how the tread will lay on the step, you’ll have a better idea of what to look for when deciding if you prefer the bull nose or standard style. This also helps when determining if you’ll need pre-cut stair treads or if they’ll need to be customized.

All in all, stair treads are a stellar option for both decorative purposes and functionality. Plus, there’s a variety of styles and materials to choose from.

Whether you’re just thinking about making minor modifications to your staircase or wanting a whole new look, you can count on the experts at Sussex home to assist you with purchasing just the best product for your home.