Stair Renovations

You can also paint the treads of stairs. Choose a paint designed for floors or porches. Latex is easier to work with and dries faster. Benjamin Moore floor paints, for example, do not require a protective finish coat. “But for added Remodeling your staircase can transform this functional aspect of your home into an intriguing design feature in your home. protection, apply two coats making sure that each coat is completely dry,” says company spokesperson Lisa Jasper. “All floor paints such as enamels may become slippery when wet. We recommend adding a small amount of Industrial Maintenance Coatings aggregate for slip resistance.” When painting, work carefully from top to bottom so you won’t need to lean down awkwardly and risk losing your footing. Maintenance: Sweep or vacuum stairs using the brush attachment. Clean as necessary with water or any gentle cleanser to avoid rubbing away paint. Be sure surface is dry before walking on it. Safety: Just like unpainted stairs, avoid wax, keep dirt and debris off the steps, and wear rubber instead of leather-soled shoes. When sweeping or vacuuming, work your way from bottom to top. Adding Some Cushioning Stair treads are pieces of carpet that sit on the horizontal surface, covering just the middle and leaving exposed wood on either end. These are available in many price ranges; latex-backed synthetics are the least expensive. Just like scatter mats by your front door, though, these inexpensive treads often slip out of place, creating a safety hazard. If you want to create your own stair treads to match carpet elsewhere in the house, have a professional bind or serge the edges. For a safer, more uniform look, Jim Walker, CEO of the International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI), recommends encasing all four edges of each carpeted tread with angled metal or vinyl, creating a smooth transition from wood to carpet, “otherwise, it becomes a tripping hazard,” he says. Liza Phillips, who designs the high-end ALTO Steps treads, says none of her customers have complained of tripping problems. Her treads come with a sticky mesh material that is not an adhesive from Colonial Mills. “When you step on it, it grips,” she says. “It’s nontoxic and won’t hurt the wood.” Maintenance: Regular vacuuming is the best way to keep treads clean. Check edges frequently to ensure a firm grip on the stairs. Braided treads may not last long since the braid must run the width instead of the length of the stairs. Each time you walk up and down, you slowly pull at the stitching that holds the braid together.

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