The cost to carpet a standard staircase varies greatly, depending on a few factors such as the size of your staircase, the type of carpet (or other surface material if you are not using carpet) you choose, the installation cost, and whether or not you are removing any existing carpets/flooring.
Generally speaking, for an average sized, standard staircase, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500-$2,500 or more depending on the factors listed above.
You can find carpet in a wide range of colors, thicknesses, and patterns, which all affects the cost. If you are looking to carpet a standard sized staircase with basic, midgrade carpet and standard installation, you should expect to pay anywhere from $500-$1,000 depending on the exact size of your staircase and the carpet you choose.
Higher grade and designer carpets will cost more and installation costs will add to that. If you need to remove existing carpet/flooring and prepare the space, as well as install a different type of carpeting such as vinyl, you can expect your total to increase accordingly.
Overall, the cost of carpeting a standard staircase will depend on the specifics of the space, the type of carpet you choose, installation and any other services you may need. To get an accurate cost estimate, contact a professional contractor to discuss the details of your project and get a detailed quote.
Table of Contents
How can I carpet my stairs cheaply?
One of the best ways to carpet your stairs cheaply is to use remnant carpeting. Remnant carpeting is carpet that was cut from a larger piece and sold off at a discounted price. This is a great way to get high-quality carpet at a fraction of the normal cost.
You can find remnant carpet at large home improvement stores, carpeting stores, or even online. When selecting remnant carpet for your stairs, make sure you measure the area and select a piece that is large enough to cover the steps.
You may also need to purchase additional carpeting to piece together to cover the entire area. You can also find stair rods at your local home improvement and hardware stores to help hold the carpet in place.
Additionally, you can use a carpet tack strip to secure the edges of the carpet in place at the base of the stairs.
How do I calculate carpet for stairs?
Calculating the amount of carpet needed for stairs can be a challenging task, especially if you have a unique design or an unconventional staircase shape. However, there are a few basic steps that you can follow to get an accurate estimate for the amount of carpet you will need for your stairs.
The first step is to measure the area of each stair. This can include the width of each tread and the vertical rise of each stair as well as any overhang on the tread itself. You can then add up the total area to get the total square footage of the staircase.
Next, you’ll need to consider the pattern repeat of the carpet you plan to purchase. Different carpets come with different repeat sizes, so be sure to know how large of a pattern repeat the carpet you plan to use has.
Depending on how large the pattern repeat is, you may need to add more carpet in order to allow the pattern to be repeated along the full length of the staircase.
Finally, you’ll need to convert the area of your staircase into square yards. This calculation is simple and can be done by dividing the total square footage of your staircase by 9. Once you have all this information, you’ll be able to calculate the approximate amount of carpet you need for your stairs.
For some, calculating the amount of carpet for their stairs can still be a bit daunting. Fortunately, many hardware stores have carpet calculators that can provide a more accurate estimate based on your staircase measurements and the pattern size of the carpet you plan to purchase.
Utilizing one of these calculators may make the process of calculating the amount of carpet you need much easier.
How much carpet do I need for 12 stairs?
To determine how much carpet you need for 12 stairs, you’ll need to consider the size of the stairs, their shape and the type of carpet you will be using. To calculate the total square footage of carpet you’ll need, you’ll need to measure each step separately, then add all of the measurements together.
For each stair, you will need the length and width of each step. You may need to measure the height and width of the riser (the vertical portion of the stair) and the length or tread (the horizontal portion) depending on the shape of the steps.
Once you have measured each step, you will then multiply the length and width of each tread and riser to get a total square footage for each stair. Add all of the measurements together and subtract 10% from that total for a rough estimate of the materials needed.
You may also need to take into account the amount of extra carpet needed for the edges and corners, if your stairs are not a straight set. Once these measurements are made and added to the total, you should have an accurate total square footage of carpet you will need for the job.
As an example, if you have 12 stairs with a tread width of 2 feet and a tread length of 4 feet, and the risers are 7 inches high, the total square feet needed would be: (12 * 4 * 2) + (12 * 7 * 2) = 192 + 168 = 360 square feet of carpet.
Subtract 10% for wastage and you would need approximately 324 square feet of carpet for the job.
How many square feet is a 13 step staircase?
The exact square footage of a 13 step staircase depends on the size of each step and the width of the staircase. Generally, the average step is 8 inches high, 10 inches wide, and 10 inches deep, resulting in approximately 80 square feet for every 13 steps.
Therefore, a 13 step staircase typically has a square footage of 80-100 square feet. However, if the steps are a different size, the total square footage could be significantly higher or lower.
Is it cheaper to hardwood or carpet stairs?
It ultimately depends on factors such as the type of flooring and the source from where you purchase it, as the cost to hardwood or carpet stairs will vary in different places. Generally, hardwood flooring is more expensive than carpet.
Installing it yourself can help minimize cost, but it is generally easier to have a professional do the work. Hardwood stairs add an aesthetic value to a space that carpets cannot and are generally more durable in the long run.
Carpet will also have a shorter life, depending on the type and amount of foot traffic it endures, and it will need to be replaced more often than hardwood stairs. Carpet will typically cost less than hardwood initially, but can cost more in the long run due to its shorter lifespan and replace-ment frequency.
Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on what kind of look you are going for and the financial resources you have.
