Wood stairs vs carpeted stairs? (before and after pics included)

[HomeWithMyBabies]

:)

I know it's New Year's Eve and everything but I kind of have to make up my mind by tomorrow. :O Having a hard time deciding. The house we bought has hard wood under the carpet. We're (by "we" I mean Dh) done tearing up *all* the carpet except for the stairs. The floors are getting finished Friday so I have to decide about the stairs.

Dh and I are kicking around leaving the carpet, for two main reasons 1) you never know what's under carpet 2) traction and safety especially for the kids.

I'd like to tear it up for two main reasons 1) If I don't do it now, and I want to do it later, it will be a big mess since at this point we are not living there 2) I hate carpet 3) I hate cleaning dog hair out of carpet on the stairs. Ok, that is three reasons...

Here is a pic if that helps. The front door is the door to the left, the door on the landing is a closet. :help

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/ourgiftofgod/IMG_1252.jpg

[Rabbit]

I would rip it up. Get it all beautiful, and polished, and then put down a simple, clean, removable runner that will provide padding and traction.

[klpmommy]

I'd keep it just b/c it is safer for walking on. But then again, I am a total klutz.

[malakoa]

I would rip it up. Get it all beautiful, and polished, and then put down a simple, clean, removable runner that will provide padding and traction.

I agree. Vacuuming it is a pain in the but.

[Rea T]

Rip it up. :yes

[AmyDoll]

I've never slipped on our wood stairs - I slipped all the time on the carpeted stairs in our Townhouse. We have all wood throughout and walk barefoot or in "sticky socks"

In terms of beauty: You can "cap" stairs with wood and have the painted wood riser. It's not terribly expensive to do.

[Drew]

I would definitely rip it up.

[Codi]

Id rip it up too. :yes Not only do I love hardwood, but we had 2 sets of stairs at our last place (now my moms) and we slipped on them all the time. :shrug Carpet doesnt always = good traction, especially in socks. :shifty :doh

[expatmom]

I agree with most everyone else - rip it up!!

We've had hardwood & carpeted stairs in our houses. Hardwood is definitely easier to keep clean & we haven't had anymore safety issues with it over carpet. You could put a runner down or you can purchase little gripper strips to put on the edges if you are concerned. Hardwood is beautiful! I think it would look way better then the carpet you presently have. :yes

[HomeWithMyBabies]

Ok, rip-py rip-py! :giggle I'm heading over now to help tear out the carpet. :yes

[Katigre]

Rip it up! I hate carpet with a passion though so my opinion isn't exactly unbiased :shifty.

[AdrienneQW]

ITA w/Katigre - I hate carpet so my opinion is biased, but I say GET RID OF IT! Woohoo, have fun! :rockon

[Iarwain]

Another carpet-hater chiming in with cheers of support as you rip it up. I have wood stairs and they are SO much easier to keep clean than carpeted stairs.

[HomeWithMyBabies]

:ty4 all for you input. Here are some before and after pics. We still have some carpet staple holes to fill on the non-floor part of the stairs, but I'm really happy with the results!

Stairs with the carpet torn up:
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/ourgiftofgod/IMG_1269.jpg

And now with the wood finished!
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/ourgiftofgod/IMG_1279.jpg

[spatchie]

That's beautiful. You made the right decision. I love it!

[expatmom]

:jawdrop :rockon I can't believe they had those beautiful stairs all covered up with carpet!

[Drew]

Fabulous! :rockon

[something glorious]

they look SO GOOD amy :heart i miss my wood floors :( pout, pout...

[Singingmom]

Great choice! It's beautiful. :rockon

[JessicaNichole]

soooo nice! :clap

[Rabbit]

I'm jealous. :grin