Flooring in Rental: Stairs?

Question

From what I have been reading, it looks like vinyl plank flooring is good for a rental. The property I'm putting an offer on has hardwood and vinyl/linoleum on the bottom floor. On the stairs and bedrooms, it's carpet circa 1960.

I've read online that vinyl plank flooring doesn't work for stairs. What do you use? Should I just put commercial carpet (no pad) on the stairs and bedrooms?

Steve Babiak · Answer

Oh, before I bought that house I did that peeking I just mentioned, so that I didn't have to just be lucky.

Josh L. · Answer

Is this true? What's the reason why vinyl plank flooring wouldn't work for the stairs?

I've started thinking about getting vinyl plank flooring for the downstairs public spaces and I thought that I would stick with carpets for the upstairs.

But, since the stairs gets so much traffic, I was thinking about going with vinyl planks for the stairs too.

Brad Z. · Answer

Does anybody have a recommendation for quality, but reasonable priced rubber stair treads? I am painting wood floors in an apt building and want to add treads to improve wear/tear and look better.

Account Closed · Answer

Thanks Geof for adding the proper terminology, I'm glad to learn that too.

Mike said "to me carpet adds better traction so I feel that I'm protecting them from themselves" 
 *grin* that's me!

Mike Haro · Answer

If its a long stairway (more than 12 steps) i like to use commercial carpet on the stairs. If there are less than i use commercial floor paint. My reasoning is when there are many steps people tend to hurry down them faster and to me carpet adds better traction so I feel that I'm protecting them from themselves.

Cheryl S · Answer

Thanks Steve! I'll have my realtor do some peeking. I hope I am as "lucky." =)

Steve Babiak · Answer

I just bought one that had 1960's vintage carpet pretty much all over, including stairs and bedrooms.  Pulling up that carpet in just the corners in various places shows that very nice hardwoods are underneath that carpet - including the stairs and bedrooms.  If you're replacing the carpets anyway, you might as well take a peek to say what's underneath.  If it's just sub-floor, then you aren't as lucky as I was ...

Cheryl S · Answer

Thanks for input Geof. I think that tighter fit looks neater.

Geof Greeneisen · Answer

On stair runs to a basement we use vinyl and have had good luck with wear. If you're using carpet, the tight fit that follows the contour under the bullnose is called a Hollywood style, the more loose fitting installation where the carpet rolls from bullnose to the next tread is called a Waterfall style. I always go with the Hollywood because I feel it wears better, not sure if it really does or not.

Cheryl S · Answer

Thanks Jean! The low pile carpet runner sounds like a good idea. It also seems like it would look better  tacked tighter.

Flooring in Rental: Stairs?

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