Why stairs need a specialist
A loose stair carpet is a safety issue, not just an appearance one. Proper tack strip at the nosing, tight stretching into each riser and a clean wrap over the nosing are what keep the carpet from shifting underfoot. This is where certified installers earn their keep.
Carpet styles that work on stairs
A dense, shorter-pile carpet — Berber, level loop, frieze or a tight cut pile — performs best on stairs because it wraps the nosing cleanly and resists matting where the foot lands. Very plush, deep-pile carpets are harder to secure at the nosing and show wear faster on a stair.
Waterfall vs cap-and-band
Waterfall runs the carpet continuously over the nosing for a smooth, modern look. Cap-and-band wraps the tread and carries a separate piece down the riser for a more tailored, traditional look. We'll show you both and recommend based on your staircase and carpet choice.
Stair runners
Partial-width runners over hardwood are a popular compromise — the warmth and quiet of carpet with the wood showing on either side. We measure and center the runner and finish the edges cleanly.
Matching hallway and upstairs
Stairs almost always connect to a hallway and upstairs bedrooms. Running the same carpet through all three is the most common and best-looking approach, so we measure the whole run together.
Installation day
We remove the old carpet and tack strip, inspect and replace tack strip where needed, stretch and secure the carpet nosing by nosing, and vacuum before we leave. A staircase is usually done in a few hours.