How to Install a Stair Runner

By: Jefferson Kolle, This Old House magazine

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. STAIR RUNNER

2. TACKLESS STRIPS

3. CARPET PAD

4. LATEX CARPET GLUE

5. 3/4-INCH CARPET TACKS
for temporarily holding runner pieces on winder stairs

6. DECORATIVE STAIR RODS
optional

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Knee kicker,
  rent from carpet store or rental center
- Electric stapler with 9/16-inch narrow-crown staples
- Carpet knife
- Carpet tool
- Rubber mallet
- Sheet-metal snips
- Framing square
- Tape measure
- Tubing cutter or hacksaw,
  for trimming carpet rods
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Product Gallery
Product selections for this project
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Introduction
Overview
Steps:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7

6 to 8 hours
$28 to $33 per linear foot (synthetic runner); $30 to $100 (wool)

Difficulty: Easy to moderate (more difficult for winding stairs)

Add a touch of elegance, texture and color to your home’s interior staircase by installing a carpeted runner. The narrow strip of carpeting is set on a pad and then attached to tackless strips nailed to each tread. The thin, dense pad helps to quiet and cushion footsteps, but it also prevents the runner from wearing out prematurely. Don’t use standard foam padding; it’s too soft to provide the necessary support.

Installing a stair runner on a straight staircase is a relatively easy project, even for novice do-it-yourselfers. Winder stairs that turn corners are more challenging, but still doable with our expert instructions.

Stair runners are priced by the linear foot, and available in two widths: 27 inches and 32 inches. They’re made of synthetic fibers, wool, or a combination of both. Visit a carpeting outlet to see samples of the patterns and colors available.