Need help with my stairs

14 years ago

My stairs are 2 and a half years old. I have three activie kids who go up and down the stairs constantly. Already, the banister is loose and worn out. The light carpet is dim, gray, and worn. I'm guessing that the materials used to build the stairs is standard and meet minimum requirements. I tried painting the banisters to freshen it up, but the paint is now peeling. My stairs are a big eye sore. These stair do not stand up to the constant traffic that it must endure. I thought about replacing the wood banister with a metal banister for easy cleaning and no peeling paint. I just don't know what to do with capeted stairs. It is constantly stained by my 6 year old twin gilrls and my 11 year old son. As a disabled parent the maintenance of my stairs have been a chronic challege. I welcome any and all suggestions, thankyou

Featured Answer

PRO

Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID

14 years ago

Get a price on replacing the stairs with hardwood ones. Consider an iron railing. If you want a contemporary look, you could select horizontal iron railings if they pass inspection in your city. Otherwise, select a commercial grade carpeting for your existing stairway, and get a contractor in to look at reinforcing your railing.

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Comments (19)

PRO
Stanton Designs-online design services
14 years ago
You could go with a metal banister...it would seem to fit the style of your room and match your fan. As far as your stairs... a stair runner could be one suggestion. One that is a little darker in color and a pattern....so that any dirt or abuse will be hidden more then your light colored carpet.
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charliemycat
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
I would see if you can get the existing stairs reinforced first. It's probably a simple matter of some extra bolts and screws. The paint on the top rail and the banister will have to be sanded lightly before you can re-paint. Sand. Prime. Then paint with a high quality OIL based paint, the most durable you can find. I'd choose one in a Satin finish. Carolyn is right. A commercial grade carpet is the way to go for the stairs. If it's not in the budget, have them steam cleaned before you decide. They do sell an adhesive plastic, that can go over the carpet, contractors use it for high traffic areas. Sounds bad, I know. But it might save your sanity while you investigate your other options.
Best Wishes.
PRO
Sterling Rugs
14 years ago
Ship the old Rug to us and we will make you a new one of your choice and color! For more details : info@sterlingrugs.com
PRO
K.O.H. Construction Corporation
14 years ago
I could write for 3 days telling you what the problems are with the stair system, but in a nutshell. Install a metal system. Do your home work and get a very good carpenter to install it. Retro fitting a stair system takes time and can be difficult to do correctly, so again get a good carpenter. good luck to you.
lefty47
14 years ago
HI -- I agree with any of the metal or rebuilding the structure or replacing - just want to say , just use a commercial sheet goods for flooring ,just until the children are older , then put some money into something better in a few years .
charleee
14 years ago
Granted, the metal staircase will withstand the test of 3 kids, but what about the noise factor? Are these things extra noisy I wonder?
PRO
K.O.H. Construction Corporation
14 years ago
Bobbi, the railing and spidles are metal. the steps are wood covered with carpet
charleee
14 years ago
Oh! Of course. duh. Thanks!
judith195
14 years ago
My house was rented by a family with 5 children. No matter what the poor mother did she could not keep the carpeted stairs clean. We tried the plastic traffic mats and then realized that the easiest was to remove the carpet entirely and paint them in a hardy outdoor porch paint. This solution has worked and the stairs are painted to blend with the existing flooring elsewhere. Aren't you lucky to have twins with a big brother!
Tiffany Manley
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks everyone for your great ideas. Keep them coming. I will consider them and make a decision and post an after picture.
charliemycat
14 years ago
Tiffany, In my experience metal railings show metal fatigue and get looser faster over time, more so than wooden banisters, especially with kids using them to ricochet themselves as they are apt to do.

I have 4 kids, (one set of twins also) and the only way I keep myself sane is to allow them only water on a carpeted area, and shoes come off at the door. The kids only drink milk or water anyway, but milk is not allowed out of the kitchen. Just some thoughts :)
Good luck with everything.
Tiffany Manley
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks crazylife for your suggestions. I know exactly what you mean about kids and banisters, lol.
charliemycat
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
Tiffany, Completely close off the stairs.

The best low cost solution is to frame in the wall, and completely get rid of the railing altogether. It would be less money than a new railing, and way less time and aggravation than refinishing the old railing. A new section of wall can be framed for very little money, and it gives you more wall space in your living room for furniture placement flexibility and the stairs won't be visible from your living room. I'd be calling a contractor today :)
Best Wishes.

Diane
summer_night5
14 years ago
When my daughter was a baby I learned to only give her snacks that matched her clothes and the rug. I learned this the hard way after my party meatballs bounced off the guests' plates and went rolling across my new light beige living room rug leaving bright orange stripes behind. Your children must do chores. When you get the steps repainted and the loose banister replaced, give each kid the job of cleaning 3 steps. Work with each one separately until they can do a good job and praise them to high heaven for such a good job. Even young ones can take pride in a job well done and this is a small job.
camillealbert
14 years ago
Stained stairs with white risers and stained railing. Both won't show wear for a long time. But you will need a good carpenter. Chores for the kids can't hurt anyway !!!!
camillealbert
14 years ago
Stained stairs with white risers and stained railing. Both won't show wear for a long time. But you will need a good carpenter. Chores for the kids can't hurt anyway !!!!
camillealbert
14 years ago
Stained stairs with white risers and stained railing. Both won't show wear for a long time. But you will need a good carpenter. Chores for the kids can't hurt anyway !!!!
PRO
Custom Home Planning Center
14 years ago
Build the wall between the stair living room piece it with a three foot circle at the top than attach a plastic pool slide that comes down behind the sofa.