Are you thinking about stair renovation for your home? When it comes to home improvements, few investments combine both beauty and elegance like a hardwood staircase. Offering durability, function, and long-term value, wooden stairs can change the entire aesthetic of a house.
Like any home improvement project, hardwood stairs have some considerations – pros and cons.
Here are the benefits and drawbacks of hardwood stairs – because every home improvement project has a few of each.
Pros of Hardwood Stair Installation
1. Boosts Aesthetic Appeal
Hardwood comes in a variety of wood types, grain patterns, stain options, and finishes, making it ideal for creating a home aesthetic that is uniquely yours. Match the stairs to your existing hardwood floors or change them up and create a stunning focal point. If you decide in the future that you want a different look, it’s simple to refinish and achieve an entirely new appearance. The options are endless.
2. Enhanced Durability
Stairs are a high traffic area in any home, so it is paramount to install ones that can withstand constant wear and tear. Hardwood is an extremely strong material, naturally scratch-resistant, and damage resistant. This makes hardwood the perfect long-term investment for such a high foot traffic area. Instead of replacing them every 5-10 years like you would carpet, well-finished wooden stairs can last for generations.
3. Increased Home Value
Many homebuyers hunt for houses with hardwood floors, stairs, and accents. This is because hardwood indicates a level of sophistication and home care that carpet or laminate just can’t match. Homes with hardwood stairs tend to sell faster and at a higher price than those without, making them a smart investment even if you don’t plan to sell in the near future.
4. Simple Maintenance
While carpet stairs can be soft on the feet, this material easily becomes dingy and worn through years of constant foot traffic. Hardwood stairs, on the other hand, are easy to maintain. Spills, allergens, and other debris don’t sink into wood the way they do carpet fibers. All it requires is a sweep, vacuum, or light mopping to restore wood to like-new condition.
Cons of Hardwood Stair Installation
1. Cost
As many would expect, hardwood stairs are more costly to install than laminate or carpet stairs. This cost includes the actual wood price, finishing materials, and installation if you decide to go the professional route. However, the increased home value and durability often offset this cost for many homeowners.
2. Noise
Carpeted stairs can soften the impact of feet, but hardwood stairs do not have this benefit. Wood is often louder than carpet with both squeaking and hearing foot traffic, and some homeowners may find this deterring them from choosing hardwood. If this is you, there are options to lessen the noise, such as soundproofing underlay or adding a stair runner.
3. Slipperiness
Also unlike carpeted stairs, hardwood can easily become slippery, especially if it is recently polished or there is a liquid spill. In homes with small children who like to run up and down the stairs or carry open liquid containers, hardwood may not be the best choice until they are older. Again, though, adding a stair runner will help with this slippery effect.
Ready to Upgrade? Hardwood Stairs by Cameron the Sandman
While the initial up-front cost may be high and they can be both noisy and slippery, hardwood stairs are an investment in home-value, durability, and aesthetic appeal. Ultimately, the choice is yours, but when it comes to long-term investment, hardwood stairs are worth it for any home.
If you decide to choose hardwood for your stairs for your Metro Detroit home, rely on the pros at Cameron the Sandman. Our hardwood flooring services have been trusted and referred for more than 80 years.