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Is a stair runner doable?

2 months ago

I have a set of stairs leading to my soon to be loft apartment. I would love to do a runner. My issue is the width of the treads change after the landing. The lower portion (about 10 stairs) are 43 inches wide, then there is a split landing and the remaining 4 stairs are 48 inches wide. If I do a 3 ft wide runner, the exposed wood on the edges will be different, but does that matter? Pic to show what the landing looks like.


Comments (9)

  • 2 months ago

    Yes, you can do a runner. The difference in width won't be noticeable because you'll have the turn to hide it. The important thing is to have the width of the bare area on either side of the runner the same.

  • PRO
    2 months ago

    I think this is similar to your configuration


  • 2 months ago
    last modified: 2 months ago

    Do you have the room to change the way the stairs turn so they look like the ones in the photo posted by @BeverlyFLADeziner? The 90-degree turns are safer for navigating than the pie-shaped stairs/landing in your plan.

  • PRO
    2 months ago

    All the wedge shape stair treads will have to be seamed to work.

  • 2 months ago
    last modified: 2 months ago

    First - this will turn out a lot better if you don't use a patterned runner for your staircase.

    If you want the exposed wood on the sides of each step to be consistent all the way down the staircase, you will need to order from a place that makes bespoke runners. Typically, they make a continuous runner for the steps leading to the winder stairs + another continuous runner from the steps starting under the winder stairs + separate pieces for each winder step. This way the runner looks as consistent as possible when viewing it from the top.

    The next two photos were made by a bespoke stair runner manufacturer:





    If you use a single width runner, there will be different widths typically along the outer edge of the steps:






    If you want to try to DIY this - it is possible. You need to fit the runner to both parts of staircase that are straight runs:


    You will then need to cut the pieces for each winder step. It is easier if the runner is installed closest to the inside edge vs. placing it in the center of each step if you are doing it DIY.

    Obviously, the DIY method is the least expensive, then the one that uses the same width but is made and installed by a professional - and finally the bespoke one that keeps the same open tread width on all sides of the runner.

  • 2 months ago
    last modified: 2 months ago

    Due to the ceiling height and the door at the entry, I cannot reconfigure the landing portion, so triangles it is. I would like to try to DIY this. I haven’t had much opportunity to get my hands in on this project as it has been a case of repairing thjngs way beyond my skill level. If I mess this up I can always have a pro re-do it lol. I think it will be fine to do a 36” wide runner the entire way. I will take some pics today.

  • PRO
    2 months ago

    Of course you can.


  • 2 months ago

    I guess I could reconfigure to some extent, but to what end? From a layout standpoint, I will still end up with 2 angled stairs in the turn. The bottom stair is right at the door to the entry, so I can’t extend any into the space.





  • 2 months ago
    last modified: 2 months ago

    Oops. I thought you were posting a 3D plan for building new stairs.