How to Choose the Right Stair Treads for Your Stairs

Stair treads may seem like a small detail in your home or building, but they can be very important. They help to keep you safe, make your stairs more comfortable to use, and can even make your space look better. Whether you’re fixing or upgrading old and worn-out treads or tackling a full staircase renovation, choosing the right material and style makes all the difference.

Key Takeaways

• Stair treads improve safety and enhance the look of stairs
• Material options include rubber, vinyl, carpet, wood, and more
• Measure carefully for the best fit and appearance
• Easy-install options make upgrades accessible for DIYers

 

What Are Stair Treads?

Stair treads are the flat, horizontal parts of a staircase—the surface you step on when ascending or descending. They come in many materials and finishes, each offering different levels of traction, comfort, and visual appeal.

Some types of treads are soft and quiet, while others are strong and slip-resistant. Some popular types of stair treads include:

• Rubber stair treads: Strong and safe, they are ideal for high-traffic areas like schools, businesses, and other commercial facilities.
• Vinyl stair treads: Durable, easy to clean, and low cost, these are a great option for a variety of spaces.
• Wood stair treads: Classic and warm, these are a good match for many types of home and interior styles.
• Metal stair treads: Strong and safe, these are best for and often used in industrial spaces or outdoors.
• Carpet stair treads: Soft, comfortable, decorative, and great for reducing noise, these are great for homes.
• S/B stair nosing: Slip-Resistant/Bullnose stair nosing is available in various materials like rubber, vinyl, and metal. It enhances safety and adds a polished finish.

 

Five Factors to Consider When Choosing Stair Treads

While you want to choose treads for your stairs that look good, they also need to work well. Keep these five key factors in mind:

1. Safety and Slip Resistance

Safety comes first, especially for homes with kids, pets, or older family members. Non-slip stair treads are great for this. They can provide better traction and help to prevent accidents.

2. Durability

Do a lot of people use your stairs every day? For high-traffic or outdoor areas, go with strong materials like rubber, vinyl, or metal stair treads that resist wear and weather.

3. Maintenance

Some materials are easier to care for than others. If you want something easy to clean, opt for rubber stair treads or vinyl stair treads that just need to be wiped with a cloth. Avoid high-maintenance finishes in busy areas. Some of these materials may be carpet stair treads, which need vacuuming, or wood stair treads, which need more care such as polishing and sealing.

4. Cost

If you’re on a budget, look to vinyl stair treads. If you are looking for a material that tends to look more fancy and are okay with spending more, hardwood stair treads or other custom options may be what you are looking for.

5. Stair Location

Are your stairs indoors or outdoors?  For outdoor stairs, pick weather-resistant exterior stair treads that can handle rain, snow, or sunlight – like rubber or metal stair treads. For indoor stairs, you have more options such as vinyl, carpet, or wood stair treads. 

 

Measuring Your Stairs for the Perfect Fit

Measuring your stair treads and risers correctly is very important. If the treads don’t fit, they might not be safe. Accurate measurement ensures your stair treads fit snugly and safely. Here’s how to do it in four simple steps:

1. Measure the tread depth: From the front edge to the back of the step, include any overhang
2. Measure the tread width: From one side of the stair to the other side
3. Measure the riser height: If you’re using stair treads and risers, measure from the top of one tread to the bottom of the next tread, for full coverage
4. Count the steps: To make sure you order the right number of treads for your stairs

 

Benefits of Upgrading Your Stair Treads

Upgrading your stair treads offers far more than a fresh look. For instance, non-slip surfaces can significantly improve safety by reducing the risk of falls, especially in busy households or commercial spaces. Treads also add a layer of protection to the underlying stairs, helping to preserve the structure and extend its lifespan. Plus, some materials—like rubber or cushioned carpet—can make using the stairs more comfortable underfoot.

Visually, a well-chosen tread can elevate the style of the entire space by complementing your interior design. Certain materials, like carpet or rubber, even help reduce noise from footsteps, while low-maintenance finishes simplify cleaning routines.

Best of all, upgrading your stair treads can make your home or space look newer without having to deal with the costly, time and energy-consuming task of doing a full remodel. Plus, upgrading these surfaces is also a smart way to protect underlying wood surfaces from wear or damage over time—see Home Makeover Tips: How to Protect Wooden Stairs for more ideas.

 

Installation Options

You don’t need to be a contractor, or hire one, to install these highly important stair details. In fact, many are made for DIY projects. Here are the most common methods:

Popular Installation Methods

• Glue-down: Best for rubber and vinyl stair treads in commercial spaces, strong glue is used to stick down rubber or vinyl tread for a long-lasting hold
• Screw-in: Typical for metal stair treads and for use on outdoor stairs, screws are used to hold the treads in place

If you’re not sure how to start, check out How To Install Stair Treads And Risers for step-by-step instructions.

 

Enhance Your Space With Stair Treads

Upgrading your stair treads is a smart and simple way to improve your home or building. Whether you want to make your stairs safer, more stylish, or easier to clean, there’s a stair tread that fits your needs and looks great. 

With a variety of materials and easy installation options available, you don’t need a big budget or special skills. There’s never been a better time to enhance your stairs.

Whether it’s commercial or residential, indoor or outdoor, take the first step by browsing Koffler’s extensive collection of stair treads and discover the perfect fit for your space.