Our kitchen remodel has expanded to 'freshen up' the downstairs (new flooring, paint and lighting). In removing the carpet on the staircase, which had been there since we purchased the house years ago, to our delight we found a solid oak staircase. We will sand and stain to match the flooring, but I want to put a runner on the stairs. My concern is mostly noise reduction, but also aesthetics, since the oak won't match what our flooring will be in the rest of the downstairs.

We are newly empty-nesters, so not too much running up and down, but I want the carpet to stay nice.

My question is what type of carpet will do best - something with more synthetic or mostly wool? I haven't purchased carpet in years, so a little behind the times in terms of what's out there now. We were also toying with the idea of purchasing a second 'strip' of whatever is installed so that we can replace down the road (assuming we still love what we pick now...).

Also (silly question): do they install the carpet on top of the stairs, or do they cut in to the stairs so the carpet is flush with the wood on either side? We're early in this part of planning, so I haven't even asked the contractor yet.

Thanks Houzzers!