Stair covering material options - New apartment bldg

[Jon Bennin]

We are in the process of designing a new apartment building in upper Midwest where we have snowy winters and hot humid summers.  The units are all lined up next to each other townhome style.  Each unit has there own ground level garage, with a small 5' x 8' heated mud/utility room in the back of each garage, and "L" shaped stairs leading up to the main floor that has the kitchen, living, dining.  So from the front of a tenants car to the stairs would be a distance of roughly 8'.  Based on your experiences, I am looking for advice on what type of floor covering you think we should, or should not, use on these sets of stairs.  Assume cost of material/installation is not a main concern.  The units will target the mid to upper range of tenants for the area.  I'm in disagreement with my business partner on this issue, so I'm refraining from offering any more information as it may seem like I'd be trying to sway the opinion. Thank you.