9 Benefits of Investing in Hardwood Staircase Flooring

9 Benefits of Investing in Hardwood Staircase Flooring

It’s unfortunate but many homeowners fail to realize that their stairs are more than just a bridge between floors. When planned and installed properly, they can also make a strong style statement.

While there’s a wide range of materials to choose from when it comes to constructing your staircase (including natural stone, concrete, metal, steel, and glass), the most popular is timber. Similar to hardwood flooring, hardwood stairs lend natural beauty to any space, along with many other functional and aesthetic benefits.

Features That Make Hardwood a Cost-Effective Staircase Flooring Material

When it comes to enhancing the beauty and functionality of your staircase, choosing the right material is important. Hardwood is timeless, luxurious, and warm, making it one of the most sought-after staircase materials. Here are nine qualities that make it an ideal choice for your stair treads.

 

1. Easy Refinishing Option

Stair treads endure heavy wear and tear, making them prone to scratches, stains, dents, and other types of damage. That’s why it’s sensible to choose long-lasting hardwood over carpeting, which is more difficult to clean and maintain.

While hardwood surfaces are durable and can withstand heavy impacts, they too can develop dents and scratches. Fortunately, they’re easy to refinish, meaning you can give them a new look and feel with minimal effort.  Just sand down the top layer and apply fresh stain and lacquer to bring life to an otherwise tired staircase. You can also add wooden handrails, balusters, and other elements to give them an all-new look.

2. Unique Grain Pattern

Wooden grain adds a special ambience to your property, owing to the unique patterns of each tread. Since each wood species has a different grain pattern, you can experiment by either matching that pattern with your existing home decor or set a stark contrast between the two. For example, the grain can either complement your wooden fixtures and furniture or stand out against the abstract wallpaper design.

3. High Aesthetic Value

Hardwood flooring and staircases have a timeless beauty that carpet can’t match. Wooden furnishings leave a lasting impression on visitors, and if you ever plan to sell your property, prospective customers will appreciate your investment. Furthermore, since hardwood is available in an array of species, grades, colours and stains, you’re sure to find a type to match your style and blend with your decor. Your budget will determine the type of wood you choose, from a high-quality distressed look to a more affordable lacquered one.

4. Minimal Maintenance

Unlike carpeted stairs that easily trap dust and require regular vacuuming, hardwood needs only light, regular sweeping and occasional mopping. As for accidental spills, wipe the area as soon as possible with a soft cloth.

5. Part of Healthy Living

Common allergens like pet dander, pollen, dust mites, and mould will inevitably find their way into your carpet. Without regular vacuuming and occasional professional cleaning, these can trigger asthma attacks and trap allergy-inflaming proteins known to trigger asthma, eczema, and rhinitis. If you have children, seniors or allergy or asthma sufferers living with you, this is likely to worsen their symptoms. Wood staircases, on the other hand, don’t capture allergens, giving you a safer, healthier environment.

6. Easily Adaptable

Homeowners worried about hardwood stairs being noisy or creating tripping hazards should consider adding a staircase runner or tread rug. This reduces noise and prevents slip-and-fall accidents, without having to sacrifice the highly luxurious look of hardwood. You can also remove, change, or refurbish your runners according to your need, without having to spend a fortune on replacing hardwood stairs.

7. Environmentally Friendly

Did you know that new carpets can release harmful chemicals that can cause eye and respiratory tract irritation and may also affect the central nervous system? The adhesive used to fix the carpet to the staircase typically contains benzene and toluene, two  of the most harmful volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). Unlike carpets, hardwood is a natural and eco-friendly material that does not contain harmful chemicals.

8. Strength and Durability

High-quality hardwood staircases that are kiln-dried, manufactured, installed, and finished to a high standard can last generations. They’re tough, hard-wearing, last, and withstand heavy foot traffic.

9. Lightweight and Convenient

If you’re looking to add a tall or winding staircase to your property, hardwood stair treads are a great option. While hardwood is typically heavy, there are specific wood species that are light yet durable. For example, Douglas fir and pine are lightweight yet strong. Stairs made out of these materials don’t excessively stress your floor or require extra support.

So, whether you’re planning to sell your property; are tired of old, uneven stairs; or simply want to add a little luxury to your life, hardwood staircase flooring is a perfect choice. AA Floors & More offers a variety of options to choose from. Call us at (416) 201-9611 or click here for a free quote.