Help! Retread carpeted basement stairs (tight space)

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hi! I'm hoping that someone might have some ideas/suggestions for us on how to retrofit boxed basement stairs with tight space on both sides. We literally just got done refinishing our basement and the stairs were the final thing that we're looking to change, so that the entire room is aesthetically pleasing. We ripped up the ugly carpet on our basement stairs, thinking it'd be easy to reinforce the current stairs and add retrofitted treads and risers over them, rather than replacing the current treads/risers, since they're still in good condition. However, we're now realizing that this project is going to be harder than we'd expected because the walls jet over the stairs/stringer on both sides. I'm not sure if you can tell by the pictures, but the current treads are tucked under the walls. We've had one carpenter come take a look and said that the only option to retread would be to break down the walls in order for the stairs to fit, or he could sand and stain the current treads and add a runner on top to make things easier. Obviously, tearing down walls is not an option for us, since we just refinished the basement and are looking to cut our costs at this point.

We'd love to find a way to either retrofit the current stairs without tearing down walls or re-carpet them, as a last resort. We don't think it'd be cost efficient or worth the time to pay to have the stairs sanded/stained just to cover them with runners (especially since we're not sure how nice they'll turn out, given that although they're sturdy, they're not the most beautiful looking treads).

Has anyone experienced a similar issue and if so what did you end up doing? Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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Comments (14)

houssaon
5 years ago
I think I would get a low pile carpet for the stairs or sand and repaint the stairs.
PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
I have had a stairway similar. We did paint and put a runner (cheap, cause we had 4 kids and no money! Lol). Then I went crazy vacuuming carpet AND cleaning side wood and along edges of carpet where everything collects. So eliminate one problem and just carpet with wool if you can afford it edge to edge. Find a cool look.
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Flo Mangan
5 years ago
Here are some examples.
ShadyWillowFarm
5 years ago
We painted ours.
acm
5 years ago
agree with a paint (usually dark is good for basement steps) or an inexpensive Berber-style carpet, wall to wall.
User
5 years ago
I'm trying to figure out what shotty walls means. Is the o supposed to be an I? I'm guessing it's a typo but I'm weirdly fixated on trying to figure out what it means....
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
What are shotty walls?

Edit: We painted our stairs. They look fine.
PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
Hate Berber carpet. Everything catches on it. Sorry just avoid that style.
pleballerina
5 years ago
If you decide to do carpet, don’t go too cheap: it gets slick over time. I had cheap carpet on the stairs in my first house and I slipped on it and fell. Wool would be ready nice if you can swing it!
Maureen
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I’d strip and sand a few stairs so you can see their condition. We did this and had a pro prepare a stain that matched the rest of our floors and once stained they were not perfect, but we are the only ones to notice.

You could also paint them and given their location could have lots of fun with your choice https://nextluxury.com/home-design/painted-stairs-ideas/

If you are finding the paint is getting worn too quickly, at that point you could add padded treads.
User
5 years ago
I think the walls look nice - that's why I'm so confused about some of the statements, which I think (?) have since been edited. It looks like a nice space.

I had basement stairs exactly like this. Sand, paint, add a runner and it's perfectly fine.
Sammie J
5 years ago
I agree with some of the other posters - sand, paint, and add a sturdy runner.
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
5 years ago
Perhaps “shotty” is meant to be “shoddy.” As in poorly done.
SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
I would carpet in a colour that matches the basement flooring. The reword of these types of stairs is HELL! And I mean a SUPER EXPENSIVE hell-on-earth situation.

I would hate to have the paint on the treads show up as 'lead based'. The age of the stairs indicate this could be very possible. Don't touch those treads (if you want to do something other than carpet) until you have the paint tested for lead.

The age of the house will tell us if lead based paint is a reality or not. How old is the house?