My first thought was particle board ... or press board (in my non-pro mind).

I seem to recall that there are now materials that you can use to clad the steps if they are undamaged and you want to rid yourself of the carpet or want a different material to show on each side of a runner of carpet on your stairs. Perhaps a pro could chime in on this.

Found this:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/stairtek-stairtek-retrotread-11-5-in-x-36-in-gunstock-prefinished-red-oak-stair-tread/3309002?cm_mmc=shp--c--prd--mlw--google--pla--122--sosstairparts--3309002-_-0&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp7OO7tic5AIVyQOGCh3w5ASyEAQYBCABEgJ9bvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Those carpet nails definitely evoke a "nope".

Yes, it is particleboard. And yes, you can clad them with vinyl.

If you intend to install a runner rather than wall to wall carpet, you might consider painting them -- if not white, perhaps even a dramatic black.

Thanks everyone. I’m thinking about painting them and covering with a runner. The carpet looks awful. What kind of paint? Would that work?

you want to paint the particle board? It's possible if covering w/a runner. Read this link. she painted hers. but she used a filler first. (painted raw particle board looks like poo, so you'll have to prep it first.) She coated the treads w/a layer of wood filler, let dry, and then sanded it smooth. then used a porch paint/primer

https://raleighraksnis.blogspot.com/2014/11/particle-wha-particle-where.html?spref=pi&m=1

you sure you just don't want to get replacements? Or did you see the cheap DIY I posted up there? w/the plywood and mdf? go to pinterest and search 'painting particle board stair treads' to get more ideas.

Although I've never painted steps, A lot of years ago I tried painting the back of an inexpensive cabinet that turned out to be particle board/veneer -- microwave cart/cabinet -- and ended up needing to paint the back twice and still gave it away soon thereafter. (Why anyone would put wheels on a cabinet with the back not finished still amazes me and I prefer my own piece built with shelving boards to any particle board veneer piece of furniture.)

Before you paint your steps and risers, you should wood filler any nail holes and imperfections -- uneven spaces - in the particle board. Then give that product a day or so to dry (per label). With particle board, expect to need two coats of paint even if the paint can says otherwise -- one base coat to seal the steps so your finish coat will cover evenly rather than be unevenly absorbed by the different flecks of wood and glue in the particle board.

Found this and hope it helps:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/329607266453517839/?lp=true

In my opinion, the better wood filler is "ZAR". I found it at an Ace Hardware store after trying several other well known brands that did not work/dry well. ZAR is also available via Amazon.

Recently needed wood filler ZAR again and only needed to dampen some really old product to make it flexible/usable again after literally years of storing it in the bottom of the hall closet where it dried around the edges a bit. Used alcohol in a spray/mister bottle to dampen it before kneading it and that worked really well.

https://www.amazon.com/ZAR-31012-Wood-Patch-Red/dp/B000I1EDU4/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_60_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3VRSEXKKJ0HH585MFN6G

They will look like hell when painted. That coarse, rough, flaky particleboard grain will be highlighted--especially with a gloss black. It will look like a mobile home in the backwoods of West Virginia.

And you CANNOT clad them in vinyl! A rounded nose on a stair with a glossy vinyl surface is a serious accident waiting to happen. It is just too dangerous. Don't do it (and it also looks trailer park).

I don't know why anyone would suggest paint or vinyl. Completely inappropriate.

Do it right. Replace the treads.

Yes they are cheap, meant for carpet and can be replaced. Is this your home, a rental or what?

The problem with painting MDF is that it soaks up paint like a sponge and you can never get an acceptable appearance.

Well I certainly don’t want it to look like a mobile home, lol. It’s my house, not a rental. Will look into replacing the treads.

Kate, look at the treads I posted from floor and decor. they have all diff kinds of wood w/diff prices. if it's your own home, then spend what you can and get quality. you don't have to get the $99 ones, but something in the 20-$30 range would be fine. stain (if you want) or clear coat them with a poly meant for wood floors (not regular poly). All total, it should come in under $400. And plenty of tutorials for how to replace treads.

Thanks Beth! What do you do about the larger landing areas?

find some oak plank flooring and stain them in the same color. you could prob get away with one box (don't know your sq footage). do a raw, oak engineered wood plank flooring.

this one is pretty cheap, 6" wide, natural finish.

https://www.builddirect.com/p/Jasper-Engineered-Hardwood-Phoneix-Collection--15269375

or something prefinished, closest to whatever color you're going to do.

but you can shop around. just get your measurements and know that you'll have to get a trim piece or something to run along the edges. for that you can use a solid piece of oak and have it cut to fit. I know it seems like it's a lot of work, but it really isn't that difficult (or expensive if you learn how to do it). that's why I mentioned to watch some good tutorials. they'll explain everything.

This video shows how she removed the particle board stair treads and redid the steps.

***make sure you maintain the proper step-riser measurements according to your code. if replacing the current tread, you must maintain the same height w/the new one*** (the video addresses this)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP8S1DnriIU

another way to redo the stairs is to do the same engineered hardwood flooring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8qj3js1rUw

The treads are particle board. They are not MDF.

No, don't paint particle board. It will look like crap.

Replace them with hardwood. Easy to DIY but get one of these before you start:

Stair Tread Template Jig

Thanks Beth for the detailed info and for everyone’s info. I’ll try to post and after photo.