The Best Stair Tread Rugs

What to Seek

• When shopping for stair tread rugs, look for a product that matches the color of your carpet or flooring, particularly if you want patterned rugs. Take a sample of your rug or flooring, if possible, when you shop for stair tread rugs so you can perform an accurate comparison. Good stair tread rugs should have a strong anti-skid backing that is suited for flooring materials of the stairs. It is also important to look for stair tread rugs that fit over the treads well. For example, if your stair tread is 24 inches wide and has a depth of 12 inches, do not purchase a rug that is 30 inches wide and 14 inches deep because this can pose a safety risk. A quality stair tread rug also does not have any snags, loose threads or seams coming apart.

Common Pitfalls

• Stair tread rugs can easily become dirty, particularly if a staircase receives a lot of traffic. Therefore, look for a rug that is simple to vacuum and/or hides dirt well. The backing on tread rugs may come with an adhesive, rubber grips or require a special tape. Before purchasing and installing a stair tread rug, make sure the adhesive used is safe for your flooring so its finish or sealant is not damaged, particularly if you have wooden stairs. If possible, see if you can test the grip of a tread rug because failing to do so may result in purchasing a product that does more harm than good.

Where to Buy

• You can purchase stair tread rugs from home improvement stores, on the Internet and at retail locations that sell carpeting. Before purchasing a set of tread rugs, make sure you understand the store’s return policy in the event you need to return or exchange the product.

Cost

• The price of stair tread rugs varies by material, size, shape and company. A company may sell several tread rugs in a package or individually. When shopping for stair tread rugs, bare in mind that bulk packages are not always the cheapest option. If, for example, you have 15 stairs, it may be cheaper to purchase the rugs individually, purchase a package of 12 rugs and three individual rugs or purchase a package of 20 tread rugs. Always figure out the cost per rug when trying to determine the best deal.