If your stairs do not curve the Shaw carpet should layout fine. I don't know if you are going wall to wall. If you are using this as a runner on stairs as you stated, you will serge the edges and they will come in about 3" on each side from wall exposing the wood of the stairs on each side. There will be the serge lines on each side that will create a frame for runner. Serging is when the carpeting is cut and then the ground color thread is used to wrap the unfinished edges.