There is a lot more that goes into choosing a carpet for your home than just the color or texture. In addition to these, carpet must also be durable. This is especially true if you are installing carpet on a staircase. Staircase carpet must endure heavy foot traffic, while at the same time keep up with the overall look of your home. There are also angles to work around as the carpet bends with the stair design. It is therefore especially important that you know what to look for when choosing a carpet for the stairs. Let’s explore what factors make a carpet ideal for stair installation to make your choice a little easier.
What Factors Make A Carpet Ideal for Stair Installation?
Durability
Durability is really a universal quality for carpet, but it is also an important factor when choosing stair carpet. Stair carpet must endure some of the heaviest foot traffic in the house. In addition, children like to play in the stairwell, which means even more time spent on the carpet. Needless to say, you should choose a carpet that looks great, compliments your walls, and can withstand a lot of foot traffic.
Density
Just because some carpets are denser, or thicker than others, doesn’t mean they are any more durable. In fact, many office or corporate buildings use very thin carpet that must also be extremely durable to stand up to high foot traffic. Dense carpet is not only more difficult to install, but also risky in some cases. Denser carpet tends to be more cushioned, which means there is not as much support for your foot. As a result, slips are very common on denser carpets, making them hazardous for the staircase.
Soil Resistance
Soil, not stain resistant, is an important quality if you like to walk around barefoot or have pets. The bottoms of your feet produce natural oils that leave a residue behind as you walk. As a result, you should choose a carpet that doesn’t retain foot residue and attract dust or dirt particles.
Smiling
Smiling occurs in looped carpet when it is bent, or installed the wrong way. Looped carpet is stitched together lengthwise. As a result, it is installed lengthwise on staircases from top to bottom and not from side to side. If looped carpet is installed the wrong way on a staircase, the smiling effect occurs, revealing the backing between the rows of carpet. Looped, or berber carpet is therefore not a popular option when it comes to stair carpet.