Let’s Remove the Carpet on the Stairs!

Like many two-story houses or split-level ones like ours, the stairs are carpeted.  At first, I really liked that feature but as time went on, I found that keeping them clean was no easy task. I suppose I could have researched a more efficient vacuum to use; but, then, I DID have a Dyson. Lugging the vacuum up and down those stairs, did get old.  So, I started to wonder how the stairs would look if I just removed the carpeting?  What if there was real wood under that old carpet?! Ooooh, the possibilities!

So, one day, I just went for it and ‘let ‘er rip‘!!

Before pic

Below is the ‘before’ picture of the stairs.  The carpet was not the greatest quality and the color was not in my color scheme for the house. You can see the worn area where footsteps landed on each of the treads.  No matter how much effort I put into the vacuuming, they reverted to this look as soon as anyone walked up or down the stairs.

Supplies Used

• Kilz primer
• Latex paint
  • Medium brown
  • Behr Chocolate Cupcake
  • Behr Sand
• Sealer
• Crackle medium
• Paintbrush & painting pad
• Razor knife
• Hammer
• Needle-nose pliers
• Crowbar
• Sanding blocks
• Carpet treads

Step 1 – Remove the carpet

Before removing the carpet, the first step in the process was to decide where to start. There are two sets of stairs since the house is a split level. Because I didn’t know what to expect, I decided to start with the lower set of stairs. Using a razor knife, I cut the carpet at the base of the bottom riser where the carpet met in the downstairs hall; then used my crow bar, to start lifting the carpet from the top of the riser. The picture below is what I saw first. I wasn’t sure if it was mold or stained wood. I said a quick prayer that all the wood was not going to be that way. I did wash the piece with a bleach and water mixture, just in case it was mold. After it dried, I gave it a good sanding. The stain came up and thankfully, none of the other risers had any discoloration.

After removing the carpet from the lower set of stairs, I moved to the upper set. Once again, I started at the bottom step where the carpet met the entry floor. The top risers were also wood…..with the exception of the very last two, one was wood but pieced together with two screws and the other was particle board, with screws that were also prominent – disappointing as I was also hoping to stain the risers. I suppose I could have covered the two risers that had been pieced with a thin sheet of wood, but I wasn’t planning on this project being that involved.

The carpet pulled away from the risers easily, but the treads were a completely different story due to the tack strips and staples. As I was removing the carpet, I could see what material was used for the risers. All of them were wood, yes!  But, unfortunately, the treads were particle board. I had been hoping for nice wood so I could stain and finish.

The tools I used for removing the staples are pictured above, hammer, needle nosed pliers, crowbar, gloves, kneeling pad.  Since this project, I have discovered a better tool for removing staples. You can find it here. This tool makes it SO much easier and faster. Plus, they are sold in a set of 3!

As I mentioned, my hopes of wood treads were dashed with the very first tread. I should have known they were particle board when I saw the bullnose of the tread, but hope springs eternal and I was still wishing for wooden treads.  Again, I could have removed the treads and replaced them with whatever material I wanted, (they even make preformed treads) but again, I wasn’t planning on this project being that involved. 

Since I was already working on the staircase, I decided to change the flooring in the entry from linoleum to tile – that saga is for another post – but doing so  meant that while I was in demo-mode, I also removed the linoleum.

Step 2 – Paint the treads

Once all the carpet and foam padding was removed from both sets of stairs, it was time to paint.  Before painting, I sanded the risers and treads using a sanding block. The wood was not rough, so I didn’t feel the need to use my orbital sander. If you are doing this project and find the wood on your stairs is rough, you may need to use a power sander instead. After I finished sanding each stair, I vacuumed up the sawdust. When all the stairs had been sanded, I wiped them down with a damp cloth.

I started painting by applying Kilz primer. I used both a paintbrush and painting pad to apply the primer; the pad for the flat areas and the brush to get into the corners. I painted every other tread so we could still use the staircase during the painting process. When the first set of treads was dry, I primed the second set. Then it was time for color. Following the same technique I used with the Kilz, I applied two coats of Behr Chocolate Cupcake which is really a dark olive as opposed to a deep brown. Once those coats of paint were good and dry, I applied a coat of floor lacquer for extra durability.

Step 3 – Paint the risers

Since two of the risers were pieced, I decided to also paint them. For the risers, I chose to use the crackle technique. For the base coat, I applied some latex paint that I had on hand. It was a medium brown color.  Once the paint was dry on the risers, I applied the product that would create the crackle look after the topcoat was applied. The top coat is a Behr paint called Sand. The brown peaking through the top coat gives the staircase a unique look that I just love! I painted a thin piece of trim in the Chocolate Cupcake and attached it to the base of each riser using Elmers Wood Glue. The trim creates a nice transition between the risers and treads.

Finished stairs

We are SO pleased with the result of this project.  I feel that by removing the carpet we have added value to the house. I love how much easier they are to keep clean! I finished this project years ago and the paint on the treads has held up beautifully!

Adding carpet?!

A few months after finishing this project, I did add carpet treads to the stair treads.  I really didn’t want to do so because I LOVED the look of the painted treads! However, after one of my adult sons, who was wearing socks while holding something in each hand, slipped and fell on the stairs, I figured it was the best plan of action. 

I bought the carpet treads online in a color and pattern to match the decor. They have held up very well and I have been pleased with the quality and durability. You may notice that the Berber carpet is gone from the downstairs hall.  After completing the stair project and entryway floor, it just made sense to update all the flooring in the house. 

A few years after removing the carpet from the stairs, I renovated the stairwell. You can read all about that project here.

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