Stair Treads, Types and Cleaning

For safety and beauty, stair treads are a necessity in the home. If a staircase is made of hardwood, stair treads are a smart idea to prevent any falls.

The most common and popular type of stair treads are the rubber ones. Many of them have a simple horizontal bar pattern with a taper return nose that makes them fit much better. Cleaning is easy and must be done within each bar. These stair treads are mainly used in commercial locations such as offices, Bowling alleys, apartments and other such locations.

The treads that are used in the low cost housing are made mostly of vinyl. These are also very plain and easy to clean, however, they come in more different colors.

Braided stair treads are very attractive for the home and their friction will prevent any accidents on those hardwood stairs. There are also stair treads that come in a scroll. The microfiber ones are very popular and effective.

The most decorative stair treads for the home are actually made of hardwood, such as oak, and there are also stair tread carpets that look wonderful in the house. They can be very pretty and can match the furniture in the room, and also go very well with the balusters. If the balusters are white, an elegant wood stair tread would offset the white very nicely.

The only disadvantage to having wooden stair treads is that they can and will take a beating. To have them looking as good as new, they can be sanded. The best way to do this is to use a belt sander. It is very important not to sand off too much of the wood. Another thing to use to finish the wood to a satin-smooth finish is a scraping tool. If you aren’t comfortable doing this yourself, a professional would be able to come in and do the job perfectly.

The wooden stair treads can also be stained. This is another method that needs to be done carefully. The stain should instantly be wiped as soon as it is applied to avoid too much staining. Three coats of stain should leave the stair treads looking fabulous once again.