Your home stairs might seem sturdy enough now, but after years of use, they’re going to need extra help to stay strong and creak-free. The best way to protect your stairs from years of wear and tear? Getting the best carpet for the job. While some homeowners aren’t thrilled by the prospect of all-over carpeting for stairs, the truth is that it’s worth the occasional trip to your local Chem-Dry carpet cleaning service to keep your stairs in working order. While some homeowners prefer carpeting that muffles sound, others choose material that traps in heat and keeps staircases cozy during the winter months. What you choose is up to you, but if your main goal is protecting your staircase and keeping a safer, warmer home, there are a few basics you should be aware of before making a purchase. From size to price to overall durability, here are a few factors you should take into consideration before buying carpeting for your home stairs.

Cost

When it comes to a purchase of this size, many homeowners will view cost as the most important decision-making factor. However, it helps to remember that the rug type you choose should be able to last you and your entire family years of use without visible wear and tear. It can also come with the capacity to decrease heating bills by helping to trap heat and keep your staircase in better condition for longer, boosting your home’s resale value. Because of these aspects, it’s wise not to think of your purchase as a one-off, but an investment with many potential areas of return. While some carpet runners cost a lower flat rate, all-over carpeting for stairs can end up costing quite a pretty penny, with per square inch costs starting at around $4.50 plus an addition $15-20 for labor per stair. However, if you’re interested in protecting your stairs from harm and keeping your home safe, the price will end up evening itself out in the end.

Size

If you’re buying a carpet for a larger set of stairs, cost and sizing will most likely go hand in hand to inform your purchase. With a runner, you’ll have a bit more room to experiment and play around with style, especially if you’re dealing with a smaller area or an irregular flight of stairs. If you’re thinking of purchasing a custom runner, you’ll need to figure out the length and area of coverage based on your home style, while all-over carpeting will leave you with less control over style and size. Choosing a runner could help create the appearance of a wider staircase, while overall carpeting tends to do the opposite, especially if there are no “stringers” to act as borders on one side.

Durability

If you’re thinking about your rug as an investment, you should always opt for a material that won’t end up indenting or ending up with unsightly discoloration marks after a few years of use. Ideally, the material you choose should be durable but not overly thick, especially if you live in a hotter, muggier environment. If you’re looking for a rug that’s actually going to last without showing any signs of damage for years, you’ll want to find a material that’s synthetic for easy cleaning and tightly woven rather than made of a fluffy but inexpensive variety of fibers. When it comes to thickness, you want to make sure you’re not paying for a lot of air and not a lot of support. The right carpet should be durable and supportive, much like a quality mattress. Too much thickness can lead to an increased risk of slipping, while a too-thin rug could end up failing to protect your stairs or your feet in the long run.

Material

Synthetic material is perfect for an easy cleanup and will resist any mold or moisture retention. However, if heat and protection is your main concern, getting a tightly-knit natural fiber rug could help protect your stairs while trapping airborne allergens and keeping unfinished wood safe from harm. While synthetic rugs are the perfect choice for homeowners who don’t want to spend a ton of time vacuuming and cleaning, natural fiber rugs can often do a better job of trapping heat at ground level, making for a cozier, warmer environment in the winter. A good compromise would involve getting a natural fiber runner to install. This would help decrease sound carry while boosting the temperature slightly without contributing to slippage or gathering a ton of dirt.