Vinyl Plank, Carpet, or Hardwood Stairs- Which is Best?

Is Vinyl Plank a good material for the stairs in your home? Let's answer that question by answering: 1. Is it safe? 2. Is it easy to install? 3. How does it compare to Carpet or Hardwood stairs?
Thanks for Checking out the Channel!

[@sourkraut911]

I replaced my stairwell with a fire pole. Going down is easy, but going back up is a little more difficult. Solved the carpet vs hardwood debate.

[@kelmartine00]

😂

[@ohsocalypso]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@katecarr8986]

😮😅😂

[@joeholloway4558]

I am glad you are sharing this message. Inside, it's carpet only for me. Don't take chances with the lives of friends and family. Sadly I lost my sister in 2019. She slipped going down hardwood stairs, and broke her back. It was high enough up, that she lost the ability to breathe on her own, and passed away a few days later. Use the carpet. Your life is worth it.

[@AustinPepp]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[@Giulia2404]

I’m sorry for your loss but I fall a lot on carpet. A lot!

[@maxzarmar8908]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

[@lorrilewis2178]

Amen! And sorry for the loss of your sister.

[@1taylorgibson]

@@Giulia2404 Maybe it is your shoes that are slippery. Be careful!

[@bettier]

I don't dislike carpet on stairs, I can even deal with the fact that they tend to get stains, it's the vacuuming each one of them that annoys me.

[@TheFunnyCarpenter]

I hear you!

[@mangos2888]

This is why I stopped carpeting stairs. Dispite my best intentions, I never clean them enough with carpet

[@WalterMelons]

Also carpet is gross. Traps too much crap.

[@jonmcintosh8653]

@@WalterMelons gradually working my way to being carpetless. Can't wait. It's so gross no matter how clean you think it is, it's not clean.

[@hirukarucm1133]

And even if you do they stay dirty. In most eu countries carpets are old fashioned. And that is my thought. We have boards with a rubber anti slip bar in them works good enough. If you fall then you learn. 😉

[@paulnutter1713]

I solved the "not as comfy as carpet" conundrum by sticking carpet to my feet, problem solved. Keep em' coming

[@TheFunnyCarpenter]

There’s a name for that....slippers:)

[@Goose619]

Hahahaha that intro was sweet!

[@TheFunnyCarpenter]

Thanks Buddy

[@rosefernandez9960]

So glad you didn’t really fall! And the dummy falling down the stairs was HILARIOUS! Thanks for educating viewers on the difference between all these items! Became an instant subscriber!

[@TheFunnyCarpenter]

Really appreciate the comment Rose:)

[@terrybull2903]

Been in floorcovering for 30 years, nearly every customer that gets a hardwood staircase, is back within a few months to get a carpet runner ( assuming they did not get the runner in the first place). Get a high density , low pile , NYLON ( not a polyester or polytriextra or olephin ) carpet for best high traffic performance

[@jobrownsmith116]

The stairs in my son's house are carpet. The carpet the builder used is a bit slippery also the trend don't seem very deep. The home is only a few years old and the rest of it seem well build.

[@curlygalrae]

I grew up with uncarpeted hardwood, and i love the look. But I’m also always barefoot indoors, pretty decent traction. But when I do have a home, I’ll probably have wood or vinyl stairs with a carpet runner installed.

[@healthballnut]

My wife and I lived in our 2 story house for 43 years. We did a big renovation and put porcelain tile in the living room and hallway. There was no question that we wanted to stay with carpet on the stairs and the hall in the front of the stairs for the comfort and safety. It turned out we had to wait for a full month for the new carpet and I made the mistake of removing the old carpet so for one month we had to use hard wooden stairs. Our beautiful home became not very nice. I am 70 years old and can run up and down carpet stairs all day long. The hard wood stairs jarred my old body, felt horrible and why anybody would choose hard wooden stairs over the comfort of carpet is beyond me. When the new carpet stairs were installed over good quality 3/8 foam backing ( recommended for stairs ), my wife and I felt like we had died and gone to heaven. Remember the rest of the house is porcelain tile with a few area rugs and we love that, but hard stairs are something I will never have .

[@abutterfly7975]

It stains and has to be vacuumed and looks rundown. Too much work to keep up.

[@mr.c6674]

@@abutterfly7975, some people prefer not to keep their home clean. Some people feel the work of taking off their shoes that they walked around outdoors isn't worth the effort. They rather increase their chance of slipping down stairs. Okay

[@gladitsnotme]

"why anybody would choose hard wooden stairs over the comfort of carpet is beyond me" Because I'm not lugging a vacuum up and down stairs every week, that's why. You can tell who cleans their house and who doesn't...

[@fomin23]

Because carpet on stairs looks like crap.

[@marissastealsmascara5988]

@@fomin23 ✅carpeted stairs are a dated look

[@TheFunnyCarpenter]

If you'd like to help me make better videos and you enjoy absurdly comfortable T-shirts:) check this out-> www.etsy.com/ca/shop/TheFunnyCarpenter?ref=search_shop_redirect

[@danielfortier2629]

I have 40 years experience in the architectural world and although my experience is commercial buildings, not houses, I did not hesitate to follow the advice of the flooring supplier I have done business with most of my career. When I installed vinyl planks on my basement stairs, I also installed rubber nosings. Although it's not the best look for a residence, I know for sure no one will ever slip on those stairs.

[@UMfan21]

We moved into a new home last year with hardwood stairs. It was way too slippery for my liking (we normally walk around barefoot or in socks in our home). We ended up buying fabric for the treads. It looks pretty good, you can still see the hardwood around the edges and of course the risers. But it adds so much more traction.

[@le_th_]

What a great tip for people with stairs, whether commercial or residential. I don't hair stairs, but I appreciate anyone who shares sound, helpful advice.

[@chuckles7524]

Grew up in a home that had the same. If you fell down the stairs it wasn't from slipping...

[@BigRick50]

My builders damaged the treads on my Oak hardwood stairs, that they reckoned couldn't be fixed. This has given me some ideas. Thanks.

[@eternalfizzer]

Epic stunt :-D (Also have done that on carpeted stairs.) The stairs were to shallow, so I installed wood treads that were full depth (and also corrected the start/end riser dimensions). I added sand to the polyurethane coats to give a little more friction. I also added a strip of gorilla tape for a visual reference of the stair edge and a little more traction.

[@carguy1979]

Our first home had ugly worn out rubber treads over the hardwood stairs. When we had the floors redone we didn’t put anything back on the stairs. About a month or so after, my oldest child, about 4 at the time, fell down half the flight of stairs 😬. From there on out it’s carpet or some kind of runner on stairs for us. Lesson learned and no one was hurt thankfully.

[@le_th_]

Ooof, that's a tough lesson for a parent of a little one to learn. So glad your little one was a-ok. That must have been frightening for them AND you.

[@coreyadams1982]

Use the handrail. It's there for a reason.

[@markishabunn4492]

😂 That illustration was funny! My best friend and I used to slide down my wood stairs on purpose when we were kids 😂

[@shirleyboberg84]

Thank you! I am in the decision making place for stair coverings. This helped a lot.

[@luckyduck8297]

Thanks for the best advice on the stairs. You are amazing

[@ThePrk007]

you nailed the slipping scene, extra points for stunt well done :D

[@jeffwilliams9086]

Great video, solidified my decision to stay with carpet on the stairs and upstairs!

[@westernproducerSWP]

Mom always said 'watch were your going' (only because Dad did a crappy job). Great info that I'll have to share with my stair renovatin' neighbours. (Measuring stair tread width and 'untrue' sides - stair tread jig...works like a charm.)

[@ssni6769]

I appreciate how quickly you got to the point, the quick snap transitions and calculation without filler/waste statements. 👍🏿 too many videos ramble. This one did not.

[@georgemallard4120]

Thanks for the experiment! Something I had always wondered about.

[@ickster23]

Hopefully, up here in Canada, the government will keep us safe by banning stairs.

[@viewer3091]

I think their cunning plan is to ban you ! !

[@oliphauntsneverlie6227]

Or socks...

[@karaperssonart]

😂 😂

[@babymoon5282]

Or maybe you will have to get that one vax that prevents you from slipping by 75%

[@2020Max1]

@@babymoon5282 The only problem is that after you get it, you find out that it's only 40% effective and will require bi-annual booster shots...

[@rjfulgen3726]

No joke; currently sitting on the carpeted staircase in our new home, was looking up videos on how to remove carpet from stairs as we were GOING to have the hard wood beneath the carpet refinished tomorrow along with our floors. Now, I'm looking up places to get new carpet installed lol. Seen too many accident videos on reddit, I'll pick safety over style any day of the week. Cheers

[@mikelewis5152]

Getting ready to my stairs and showed this to my wife. We laughed big time .Good job.

[@NateBraska]

I recall friends and coworkers giving us a hard time about replacing carpet on our stairs with more carpet when we bought our house, but they didn't have kids and the stairs feel a bit steep compare to others. This makes me feel like we made the right choice

[@juanamora710]

Very informative, thanks for helping me clear things up !

[@mephyst]

We just pulled the trigger on some new vinyl planks for our entire downstairs and stairs. We moved into a new construction home a year ago and our stock stair carpet is extremely slippery. It's caught me off guard a few times. Looking forward to getting our new floors!

[@markm0000]

The thing with hardwood is you can make it a coarse finish so it has about as much grip as carpet but looks really good.

[@jbt5553]

I spilled down laminate covered stairs, broke my tailbone, bashed my head and got a concussion. I used skateboard grip tape (sticky on the back, sandpaper like on the front). I put 2 small strips of this on the front of each stair, it worked like a charm and I was able to make the laminate very safe.

[@eros2535]

Excellent sharing! keep it up. God bless you and your family.

[@SeemaPAmir]

Great video, a lot to think about! Thanks!!

[@HFRajuncajun]

I've only redone stairs a handful of times - a cool tool that was introduced to me was a stair tread gauge. You can buy one or make one. Not even the time, but the headaches it saves... worth it IMO. Definitely a good call on PL for the nosing.

[@TheFunnyCarpenter]

Those are definitely great tools to use when it comes to fitting stairs! Maybe next time I'll be smart enough to buy one:)

[@proxy5331]

Wow, you just saved me a bunch of headache updating my stairs. What a great tool. Thanks.

[@perezfamilyadventures3514]

I fell down the stairs the most on carpet stairs 😅. Once a week in my old townhouse stairs and once in a year in my new house basement stairs. So yeah, totally agree it’s all in when the home was built for some reason. I never fell down my hardwood staircase in my new house. Maybe because we know it’s hard and proceed with caution 😅! Those carpet stairs are really slippery barefoot stepping wrong on the edge. Also, most people hate the way carpet stairs look and it gets really dirty fast. If selling your house always replaced them!

[@jonathanlee7355]

Great video! The house we just bought might have wood stairs (wood floors under carpet) going up to 2nd floor.. we were gonna keep the wood floors but not sure about the upstairs. I like carpet in bedrooms, plus it's easier for my dogs to climb. If we kept wood for the stairs, would prolly put a carpet stair runner..

[@stevedixon921]

I saw the 'dummy' falling down the stairs in the preview and had to click. Worth it. If you want to improve stair traction when using vinyl or wood, consider the surface texture and a good toe strip (the piece at the front edge; probably has an official name). Otherwise stick with carpet for the 'cushioning' effect when you face plant your way down.

[@Augustinne]

I may replace the carpet, but not going for the wood bc of my kids. Thank you for the message and helping me with this decision.

[@bobwendoloski6970]

Good video with points to ponder! We replaced every piece of carpet in our home with either hardwood or vinyl and I would never go back. Carpet may be less slippery but it is dirty and impossible to really clean even tough you think it is, We put the vinyl planks on the steps leading to the finished basement and I we have never had any issue with slipping. The steps are up to code and very well lit and have a sturdy hand rail. What we had on those steps before was a indoor/outdoor carpet which was very slippery.

[@stormy7192]

I have fallen on stairs covered in that builder grade cheap carpet in my old house many times. My house now has berber carpet on the stairs to the basement. In 12 years I've never even slipped. And I use them daily to get to the garage.

[@donniep.1513]

Thanks for this comment. I’ve slipped many times on my builders cheap carpet on my stairs and I now I understand why … it’s cheap 😆

[@tonyag69]

I slipped on my top stair that had berber carpet on the stairs. Luckily I just bounced down all of the stairs breaking my tailbone. Now I have a high quality carpet and not one fall from anyone.

[@annkovacs8027]

So did I, in socks thinking what the hell as I’m trying to break the fall, my son comes out of his room “mommy what happened? all I heard was dooon, doon, doon, doon” , Hit the back of my head and injured my tailbone, 1st time I’d ever fallen down stairs, I thought carpet was supposed to be safe

[@donnajackson7712]

You said number 2. LOL You're a funny carpenter.

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

Crushed the intro!

[@kathyw3466]

It also depends on whether the carpet is a good quality carpet or cheap nylon mix . I fell 3 times down my rented Gov't owned duplex stairs before I bought my single storey unit. They used cheap industrial carpet that was so slippery.The stairs were also narrow and steep. Cheers from NSW Australia.

[@manolorivera156]

I needed to see this video.thanx broh.im going with the vinyl on the stairs! again thank you!!✌🏾

[@independentinstallations8419]

one way to help is rather than cutting your nosing off the existing steps , build them out using scrap lumber then your left with a deeper tread and its less work adding some boards to risers than it is to cut off noses. We use one piece vinyl stair treads by Cali Bamboo and after fitting the treads you build out risers until they are flush w existing nose then simply use either vinyl plank or desired riser material giving a finished look in crotch as it rests on top of stair tread and deepest tread possible without sticking out beyond stringers.

[@simonwillis6902]

I can vouch for that! Ceramic tile stairs, slipped fourth from the bottom, fell on my spine and prolapsed three disks spent six months having physical therapy! Luckily at that point I lived in Austria and they have top notch medical cover without stupid high US coverage or I would have everything to cover the costs!

[@easypainterslondon]

Felt that intro I flinched cool video good info

[@miketheyunggod2534]

I have vinyl tile on my stairs covered with a rug runner. The runner is adhered to the tile with carpet tape. Very safe.

[@12345jonny]

Good information thanks

[@shannonmcconnell9203]

Our bullnose on laminate had a lip. I just bought a hallway runner carpet and cut it to fit each step. Good for the feet and the dog.

[@jaredbuletza3399]

Love the socks! Go Sounders!

[@ayokay123]

I think a lot depends on the shallowness of the tread. The deeper the tread, the safer carpeting is. The shallower the tread, the greater the chance of slipping on carpet, especially wearing socks.

[@mrliao1000]

Great advice!

[@RPmusic06]

Learned so much. Thank you man!!!!

[@TheFunnyCarpenter]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for checking out the Vid:)

[@RPmusic06]

@@TheFunnyCarpenter ofcourse man !!

[@zhoukastner9858]

Use slip proof tape on the stairs, especially the nosing. It works perfectly for us. Also, pick those luxury vinyl planks with texture on top.

[@marionsutcliffe1119]

That stuff is great. A friend has glossy painted stairs. Very scary before the tape. The tape would be pretty much invisible on wood grain pattern.

[@phillyfathead]

You alway have the most advance,high tech and precision calibrated equipment😂, great video!

[@cmcmillan7987]

Omg 🤣 your stunt double, i actually spat my tea out laughing. Carpet all day! Falling down hard stairs is no joke! And everyone does it sometime. When carpet pile compresses it can get a little slippy, and some carpet types are better than others, its all about considered choices. Thanks for content 👍

[@PatriceBoivin]

For basement stairs, paint with the additional, clear anti-slip finish

[@charisma-hornum-fries]

I used a anti-slip spray. I’m amazed by the longevity of the stuff.

[@dodopson3211]

What about those anti-slip strips? I believe they're made out of rubber. On a side note; why am I watching this? My house doesn't even have a stairs.

[@Galaxylynx12]

This is a video I've been looking for! Many thanks! Q: where I can buy a ready finished vinyl planks.for stairs? Homedepot only carry an unfinished solid wood planks.

[@bluedragonfly5]

I have had to go up and down carpeted stairs with crutches....broke my leg skiing and many years later broke my knee. I had many near misses going down the stairs that could have been falls. I love the look and cleanliness of wood and have wood floors but will keep my carpet.

[@kubtastic]

Wood at top, then carpet for the rest. I've got 2 sets of 14 steps straight in 11 feet. Wood at top step, then carpet, and never had a slip. But other set with carpet at top step: several misses, always the top step. Friction won't save a heel that misses the structure under the step, but the soft steps below make the ride survivable.

[@randyd9805]

I clean carpets mainly for a living for many years. One of the largest rental property owners I work for has removed carpets from their rentals with the exception of the stairs for the very reason you mentioned. I suspect they don't want to be held liable for an accident. Btw, guess where the dogs urinate now? Not long ago one of my customers had her son fall down the stairs to the basement she said he fractured his neck. I don't know how bad the injury was, but I'm well aware of what can happen with such an injury. The thing is, those stairs were covered in carpet and had a proper rail. It's the only time I'm aware of since I started out in 1987.

[@birdqueenxx1532]

Ty amazing to watch not to slow gets to the point funny and not corny hehe

[@TheFunnyCarpenter]

Thank you😀

[@davidcattin7006]

Was just thinking about this for my house. Thinking that you could more easily catch your foot on carpet and fall than on a smooth surface... Bottom line- be careful, move slowly, and use the hand rail.

[@le_th_]

I have no stairs...why am I watching this? I purposely bought 1 level because of how many serious home injuries happen on stairs. lol This is SUPER helpful for people who may have never considered this. Nice.

[@b9y843]

Ripped off dirty carpet from the stairs and installed oak wood treads. Just beautiful. As for slippery? We wear slippers around house, no issue.

[@TheFunnyCarpenter]

Nice! Slippers are the way to go:)

[@miraclemicahentertainment3824]

Great to be here ..new subscriber

[@WreckinMachine]

I’ve been installing all types of flooring for 32yrs now and in my house the stairs will always be carpet. Lost count how many times I’ve lost my balance on stairs considering I have a below knee prosthetic for the past 18yrs. 1000% recommend carpet. On another note make sure your installer wraps the underlay over the nose of the stair. Big difference!!!!!!!!

[@helenmak5663]

Carpet is the safest for older folks, one slip is enough to kill them. Sometimes they can’t control their movements or sometimes they feel dizzy suddenly.

[@lindaj171]

My late husband didn't want to convert our carpeted stairs to hardwood because he thought it would be too slippery. When he was dying from cancer his sister would come over a couple of days a week to help me out looking after him. Ironically, one day while she was over my sister-in-law slipped on our carpeted stairs and broke one of her toes. 😣 The problem with carpet, especially if it's thick carpet, is that the edge gets slippery over time and if you're rushing . . .

[@TheFunnyCarpenter]

Ouch!

[@terrybull2903]

That is a problem with any surface on the stairs , especially if you are rushing!

[@sheelfjohnson]

Thanks for this! I live in the Pacific Northwest and have off-white (!) carpeted stairs 😂😭. So I'm going to steal your idea and just change to a darker carpet ✔ Maybe mud-colored.

[@TheFunnyCarpenter]

:) heck of a plan

[@jjj8182]

i slipped on carpet stair once and so did my friend. i think the thing for us is, we walking more carefully when we expect the hard wood floor may slippery.

[@danyfilion6024]

Nothing classier than a nice runner on hardwood staircase

[@bp7770]

They sell a jig for fitting stair treds . It’s effortless and fast. And I would go with a hardwood stair all day long keep the vinyl in the bathrooms

[@detzlerangela]

I would have loved to actually see a video of you putting on the v, plank on the basement stairs. I think that's my next project.

[@b-raddad1334]

I love your hardwood floor. What kind and stain is it? Thanks!

[@juliamontalvo9717]

Omg I laughed so hard. Loved it had to subscribe

[@TheFunnyCarpenter]

Thanks Julia:)

[@christineagnew7372]

I have slid down the staircases throughout the years because they all had carpet. like land on your butt, continue sliding down sorta slide. I have vinyl on them all now, no sliding.

[@Giulia2404]

Me too! I fell so much on carpet stairs. Don’t know why.

[@jenniferford2067]

I always fall on carpeted stairs. I hate them.

[@luispineda8915]

You make sense 👍

[@wtfMYRONL]

This was so funny.. what a funny carpenter

[@StarBeautiful718]

What is the color and brand of flooring did you use? I love it

[@thedon98677]

Yeah I have still slipped on carpeted stairs. We have a set of wood and a set of vinyl now. Just have a runner for both.

[@SherryeGlaser]

Carpet isn't the prettiest, but everyone in my family has fallen down the stairs at some point. Carpet = not even my elderly mother got injured. The cushioning is literally life saving. Sometimes function is more important than form. We just replaced our carpet with new carpet.

[@Mr101racecar]

I broke 4 toes because of a hardwood spiral staircase. A well polished hardwood is slippery as hell when carrying tools.

[@TheFunnyCarpenter]

🤕 ouch

[@bobbrown3469]

Esp in socks

[@Falconlibrary]

The trend is to install vinyl plank on stairs. I've warned people not to do this, but Chip and Joanna Gaines did it, so it must be, like, you know, cool?

[@strawberryme08]

Good to know.

[@yvonnetaylor2038]

Love the color of the vinyl plank, is it rigid core? Can you tell me make and color please?

[@timwhite5872]

They do make pre made stairtreads out of vinyl plank now. The old method you cut the nose off of the stair and install a stairnosing. That usually is not in code for building codes. It shortens the tread. If you are installing vinyl on your stairs use pl remade vinyl treads.

[@psalmsreader7997]

Funny demo!

[@backsidebside]

Can you show an example of the stair nose track that you used in this video with the vinyl? I have vinyl stair nose on my stairs and it's just glues down, but it's starting to crack when it overlays the plank on the step.

[@howtodoitdude1662]

Can you post the vinyl materials used? Tracking, glue? Thanks!

[@aj07257]

Lol great video thank you

[@cricketlovely8541]

Remember that if you're putting carpet down... Make sure the nap is layed correct. "Against the nap" as you go down adds friction.

[@llc1976]

Oh and I have hard wood floors middle level and upstairs and hard wood Leading upstairs which I’ve never found to be an issue. They look Great and I simply dust them.

[@maryjanesilliker8554]

I use carpet treads for the top of the stairs only. Best of both worlds.

[@Catbirdmom2]

We have a steep staircase with vinyl plank. It looks nice but I hate it. The stairs are a bit narrow for me and they put a vinyl corner piece over the edges so walking in socks means a bump right under the ball of your foot as you are walking down. I’ve learned not to wear slide type house shoes and my 16 year old daughter actually slipped down the last 4 steps the other day and bruised her back. Seriously thinking of somehow just carpeting the stair area...

[@courtneybauman8795]

Thanks for this video, I would never have thought about that. I will say tho, I don’t want carpet in my house, rugs are fine because they are easily replaceable, so I’m guessing we’ll have to get a runner for the stairs when we remodel!

[@shanew7361]

I don't care for carpet or wood, both suck. Have animals, move anything heavy, drop something forget it. Never again 🤣💥

[@courtneybauman8795]

@@shanew7361 add in 3 kids and exactly carpet is a no go! Lol

[@shanew7361]

@@courtneybauman8795 Preach! Yea I will do vinyl or tile on all my floors next house.

[@courtneybauman8795]

@@shanew7361 same here. Tile would be nice, but I think vinyl will be more in our budget at the moment.

[@shanew7361]

@@courtneybauman8795 Amen on that lol I'm sticking with carpet and wood until next house lol

[@cerberus6654]

When I decided to re-do the stairs in hardwood I didn't want the kids slipping and falling down them - so I hammered nails through the bottom of each step leaving the points exposed on the top surface and then I spread a layer of glue on each step, sprinkled them with sand, gravel and pieces of broken glass for the best no-slip surface possible. The stairs look great and we're all safe!

[@gizmo9006]

Dare you to try this with various types of shoes on wet flooring. even polyaspartic in a garage can be extremely slippery when wet.