I’ve just renovated my home and it looks stunning really. But what about the finishing touch? I almost forgot! I need carpets to make it look even more beautiful.
So… which carpet type should I choose?
At my parent’s place, we’ve always used low-pile stair runners. But I’ve always liked plush carpets for their comfy touch and luxurious vibe. But the question remains ….Is plush carpet good for stairs?
Later I found out it was really a bad Idea.😓
Hi there, I’m Judie. And I’m gonna share my story of how I found my solution to this dilemma about plush carpets.
For starters, I did some digging and surprisingly found lots of information on carpeted stairs. These helped me decide whether I should choose a plush carpet for the stairs or not.
And What I found is There are 3 major concerns I should look out for –
- Durability Issues.
- Safety concerns.
- Maintenance Challenges.
If you are thinking why these are so big of a deal then you should read till the end. I’ve explained everything you need to know about what is ultra plush cut pile carpet and why plush is not suitable for stairs.
Key Features:
Table of Contents
Is Plush Carpet Good For Stairs?
Not at all. A plush carpet that is made of synthetic fiber isn’t good for carpet.
How am I so confident?
Well, of course, I am. Cause I’ve done my research and every source I found supports my thoughts. Even the carpet manufacturers too.
It’s a common dilemma for most of the homeowners like me. But the one-line fact is –
“The best carpet for stairs should have a low pile. At least 35 to 40 oz. face weight and ¾ inch or less of pile height is perfect for both stability and resilience toward traffic.”
I also learned that carpets including loop pile carpets can be made of various materials, but not all are stair-friendly. Therefore you need to be careful when choosing the carpet for stairs. In average cost too the carpet durability for plush should be no less than 5 to 10 years of life.
Carpet for stairs can be disastrous
I asked an actual flooring expert who said that carpet for stairs can be disastrous.
There are many concerns such as plush carpet can wears well or not. He told me to gain more knowledge about plush carpet vs. low carpet before buying.
Plush carpet for bedrooms that is generous about pile density per square yard and comes in a solid color or maybe neutral color based on your preference, can be great.
But low-pile carpet on stairs that has stain resistance makes up for a more stable surface. Go to carpet stores and look for Berber carpets Frieze carpets or, any other type of carpet. I can bet that among all the carpet options you’d find my advice unparallelly useful.😤
Plush is surely the popular choice but these carpets already wear out fast compared to other types of carpets. And that makes them automatically unsuitable for being used on the stairs due to heavy foot traffic.
The carpet fibers of plush tend to be slippery a lot because of their smoothness. Which again makes them unsuitable due to the high risk of falls. think if you have a carpet of darker colors on your stair treads.
But because of the daily wear of the wool carpets it has gained an extra layer of dirt color on it. At this point, you’d be saying hardwood floors are better than this.
Keeping the softy soft plush carpet clean is one hell of a daunting task. But on stairs, they’ll get dirty quite fast. Thinking of which you would not want to use as your stairs carpeting.
What’s this? You need more explanation with logics?
Not to be worried. You’ll find your answers soon. Go through the reasonings I explained below and then you can decide for yourself.
After all, on average, “stairs receive 2x the amount of foot traffic compared to other parts of the house.”
Reasons Behind Plush Carpet Not Suitable For Stairs
Plush carpets are not suitable for stairs because –
- Durability Issues
- Safety Concerns
- Maintenance Challenges
Durability Issues
“Please note that the value used above is exemplary only. Thus do not support any survey report or research data.”
| SL | Reason | Occupancy Rate |
| 1. | High foot traffic | High |
| 2. | Heavy wear and tear | Moderate |
| 3. | Pressure from edges | Low |
You already know that plush carpet is known for its soft and thick texture. But the catch is this very feature makes it less durable for high-traffic areas like stairs.
Based on a study, stairs are one of the highest wear areas in a home. On average, stairs receive 2x the amount of foot traffic compared to other parts of the house.
Therefore, the plush carpet can quickly become matted down, losing its aesthetic appeal and comfort in the process.
Safety concerns
“Please note that the value used above is exemplary only. Thus do not support any survey report or research data.”
| SL | Reason | Occupancy Rate |
| 1. | Slipperiness | High |
| 2. | Tripping hazards | Moderate |
| 3. | Uneven surface | Low |
If you have kids who’s gonna have the most spending time on the floor then plush is the most convenient option you can ask for. But that is when it’s not about staircases.
Besides comfort safety comes first for me when I think about carpeting. And a carpet that is critical to the safety department which plush carpet is doesn’t sound convenient to me, now does it?🫤
By the way – “Did you know that, the method where the carpet is brought directly over the tread edge and drapes down the riser creating a seamless and continuous flow is called the waterfall method!”
This method is especially popular among professional installers. Why? Because, it doesn’t matter whether it’s spiral staircases or, the basement steps of a business space. It lives up to your expectations of having beautiful floors of aesthetic choice.
Carpet installers say that while confirming a proper installation in the waterfall method tack strips are a must on your stairs. That’s to keep the carpet in place as it is stretched and fitted over the carpet padding. Where again you can see how unsuitable high-pile carpets as plush are.
Based on research and personal experience too, I can surely tell you that –
“Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries in homes, and stairs are a common site for these accidents. Around 46,653 people die yearly because of it.”
Thick carpets on the stairs can lead to uneven footing which increases the risk of slips and falls even more, especially for children and the elderly.
Maintenance Challenges
“Please note that the value used above is exemplary only. Thus do not support any survey report or research data.”
| SL | Reason | Occupancy Rate |
| 1. | Dirt accumulation | High |
| 2. | Difficult to vacuum | Moderate |
| 3. | Stain retention | Low |
Keeping your plush carpet clean on stairs is more challenging than I thought it would be. The dense fibers trap more dirt and debris, requiring frequent vacuuming and professional cleaning.
Research shows that 70% of homeowners find stair carpets the hardest to clean compared to other parts of the household.
So, are you sure now about the decision to use plush carpet on your staircases? I bet you’re not gonna use it anymore, now are you? Let me know what you think.
- No way! I ain’t gonna use it.
- Hmmm…. I get it but you could’ve just said so earlier.
- Was wasting this much time necessary? Such a drag.
- Thanks for explaining so well. I really appreciate it.
- Not interested please mind your business.
Regardless of what may your opinion be (that I’m curious to know) I care and so if you need further help I’m already there for you. Consider watching this video for more clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Plush Carpet Good?
Yes, plush carpet is good in fact it’s an excellent choice for areas where comfort is your priority. A bedroom or living room would be perfect. However, you shouldn’t be using plush carpets for the staircase for the sake of durability and safety concerns.
Will Plush Carpet Show Wear Quickly On Stairs?
Yes, plush carpet tends to show wear quickly on stairs compared to other types of carpet. If exposed to constant foot traffic it will look more worn and matted because of the fibers being compressed.
What Are The Benefits Of Plush Carpet?
Despite the drawbacks of not being a good choice on staircases plush carpet has their own benefits. Such as research shows that these types of rugs can reduce noise levels by over 20 decibels.
Is Plush Carpet Slippery On Staircases?
Yes, plush carpet indeed is slippery on staircases. Because of its thick and smooth surface, it lacks the traction needed for safe stair navigation. And so for the subject of stairs, plush carpet increases the risk of falls.
Does Plush Carpet Wear Well?
Yes, for low-traffic areas plush carpet does wear well. That’s because in these areas the fibers of your carpet don’t get compressed constantly. But that’s a totally opposite story for high-traffic areas.
Moral Of The Story Is!
Plush carpeting for stairs is just not a good idea as a whole in my eyes and experts too. It doesn’t matter whether you have loop carpets Polyester carpets or any other synthetic nylon carpet. It still isn’t the suitable choice for being your stair covering or carpet runner.
And so I’d highly suggest you give these facts a brief thought before buying the carpet. And extra safety concerns consider professional installation instead of average.
Now the choice is up to you. Hope, I was able to be of good help. Happy carpeting.🥰
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