In this video, we talk about hardwood stairs, how much it costs, how to install it.
That's coming right up.
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So today I'm joined by Deborah Armstrong,
senior interior designer with Brookfield
Residential and we're gonna talk about
hardwood stairs today. So Deborah, first
of all, how much does it cost to install
hardwood stairs?
It's not cheap Karl, it's not. But a lot of people really like the
look of it. You're looking, with labor, and again, depending on the hardwood that you
choose, anywhere from a hundred to
two hundred dollar per step.
Per step? So like, if I have eight steps, that's eight hundred dollars?
That's correct.
Right, and is it any type of hardwood or
obviously the price goes up with the type of hardwood?
Exactly, there's all different. you know, types
of hard without there but generally, you
know, a broad range anywhere you can generally estimate.
I guess really simple question is how do
you put hardwood on the stairs?
Do you just do take out the entire stair that
you already have and put the hardwood in
or do you put it on top?
Yeah, you put it on top so, you know, your
stairs is already there. It's usually plywood base
it's built by the stair manufacturer and then either yourself or you know, your
hardwood supplier would come in and install the hardwood and they would nail
it and glue it. It usually has a little bull nose of solid wood in the
front that's rounded in most cases, sometimes they're square now for
a more contemporary look.
And how durable are these stairs because
obviously everybody uses them.
They're very durable - more durable than carpet,
you know, they don't get a wear pattern
like carpet wood or crushing, you know like a
carpet wood. So a lot of people tend
to think that they want the hardwood
because you know, they're not gonna have that carpet that uglies out,
you know, after a few years.
The funny thing though is, maybe not so funny,
but wouldn't there be a lot more slippage?
Absolutely, hardwood is very, very slippery.
I personally don't recommend it if there's
young children in the home, or lots of pets that run up and down the stairs.
Elderly, if you're not holding onto the stairs correctly. It's so easy and sock feet,
you know, just to slip down those stairs and there's nothing going to stop you.
Oh, and speaking of pets, so does the hardwoods like hard - and any
type of hardwood right?
And remember if you want to know more about
our videos on engineered versus solid hardwood, take a look at our video above.
In terms of pets, does - is it durable in terms of like - you know you've got like
cats or dogs running it up and down,
will you see those scratch marks?
Yes you can, if you've got a big dog that
feels like he's slipping and he's really
digging in as he's going up and down, yes
you're gonna see those scratches on
the stairs for sure.
And now I've seen people put - I don't know what you call those -
Carpet runner? Yeah. Yes, people do, you know, because maybe
they - they like the look of hardwood and it's a little slippery so they'll run a carpet
all the way up in the centre and leave a bit of the hardwood on the side.
Yes, people do that. Some people think that it might be cheaper if they're doing it
and install it themselves just to add a little bit of hardwood on the side of
the stairs to make it look like there's hardwood and then have carpet inlaid.
But for the labor that that costs, you might as well put the hardwood all the
way across and put your - So it's more expensive to put the carpet
and then the hardwood on the side? Yeah, labour wise you know, it's easier
probably just to put the hardwood all the way across.
And is there anything that you can do to
make the hardwood less slippery?
There is a product out there and but it
changes the color of the wood. It makes it
a little more milky but it's a non-slip
type of, I guess - sealer that you can put on the stairs. It - it helps a little
bit. The only thing about that is it attracts the dust and things
like that because of course it's got that little bit of a sticky
rubbery feels so you know, that's another contender that you're gonna have to look into.
And and how often.. first of all - is it waterproof?
Hardwood stairs are not waterproof.
Only way you're gonna have a waterproof is if you're going to
use an LBP product, you know, or luxury vinyl plank which is pure vinyl.
Know you're gonna treat it this exact same ways you would do your to your
hardwood floor. Okay and how often do you need to treat it?
Well I guess for the amount of use that's gonna be on?
Yeah well they're usually pre-sealed so you don't need to treat it if it's an oily
type of a hardwood on the stairs you're gonna oil it.
Okay, okay and how often would you
think you need to do that?
Depending again on the traffic but you're
usually every few years, yeah, in a high traffic area.
Anything - do you want anything to add
in terms of hardwood stairs?
Just really consider if you have
children, elderly, or pets that are using these stairs often, you know carpet is
probably the best way to go. So question of the day for you is,
"Do you own hardwood stairs and what is
your experience with them?"
Let us know in the comment section below.
Thank you very much for joining us and we'll catch you next time
That's another edition of Homebuyer's School.
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