How to Do a Runner on Stairs

Stair runners add color and style to a flight of stairs while protecting the steps from the wear of daily use. The process of installing a runner is similar to that of installing a floor carpet, except that the stairs have angles to which you must attach the runner. The project may appear daunting in the beginning, but it is straightforward. When you become comfortable with the technique, the amount of time you need to complete the project will depend on the length of your stairway. You can obtain tools and supplies from a home improvement store.

Measuring tape
Carpet knife
Tackless strip
Carpet pad
Nails
Hammer
Staple gun and staple pins
Knee kicker
Carpet tool
Rubber mallet

Instructions

- 1
  Measure from the back end of a step (also called a tread) and down its riser to the point where it joins the next step. Multiply this number by the number of steps in the stairway to obtain the runner length. Add 1 inch to this measurement to allow for the padding. Measure from the edge of the wall to the baluster for the width of the carpet. Cut the carpet for the runner according to these measurements.
- 2
  Cut a tackless strip for each tread. Each strip should be 2 inches shorter than the width of the runner.
- 3
  Measure the distance from the back edge of a tread to the bottom of its nosing. The nosing is the front protrusion on each tread. Cut a carpet pad for each tread to this length and make each 1/2 inch shorter than the width of the runner.
- 4
  Place a tackless strip against the back edge of the first tread at the bottom of the stairs. Ensure that it is 1 inch from the edge of the tread on each side. Nail the strip to the tread. Repeat this step for the remaining treads.
- 5
  Place a carpet pad on the tread so that one edge butts against the front edge of the tackless strip. Staple this edge to the tread with a staple gun. Space the pins 3 inches apart. Pull the bottom edge of the pad to the bottom of the nosing. Staple the edge down. Repeat this process for the remaining treads.
- 6
  Place the edge of the runner against the riser of the first tread at the bottom of the stairs. Unroll the runner up to the first three treads. Staple the edge of the runner to the edge of the riser. Staples should be made 3 inches apart.
- 7
  Pull the runner up the riser to the tread and toward the tackless strip. Place the knee kicker at the center of the back edge of the tread. Strike the tool with your knee to make the runner taut and attach it to the strip. Repeat this process every 3 inches on each side of the starting position.
- 8
  Place the carpet tool at the joint between the tread and the riser. Hit the end of the tool with a rubber mallet to pack the carpet into the joint tightly. Repeat the process along the width of the joint.
- 9
  Staple the runner at each end of the tackless strip on the tread. Staple it again on the riser, along the area that is 2 inches above the joint. Keep the staples 3 inches apart.
- 10
  Repeat steps 7 to 9 for the remaining treads.
- 11
  Push the runner to the top of the last riser at the top of the stairs. Cut the edge so that it is flush with the top edge of the riser. Staple the edge of the runner to the top edge of the riser.

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