Tradepoint - How to create your own staircase runner

Staircase runners are a great idea if you want to protect your staircase from scuff marks and other wear and tear. Here, NRLA partner TradePoint (B&Q) explains how you can create your own runner, with a step-by-step video explainer.

  1. Firstly, you’re going to need to prepare the staircase. This means smoothing out the surfaces on the stairs, and carefully removing any loose nails.
  2. Next, you’ll need to measure how much stair runner you will need. To do this, measure the riser (the vertical part on each step), the tread – or step itself, and over the nosing (the lip over the edge of each step). Once you have your figure, you’ll need to multiply this by the number of steps on the staircase.
  3. Then, you can calculate how many individual stair runners you will need. Unlike stair carpet, runners don’t take up the whole width of the step, but tend to sit in the centre, so, you’ll need to work out how much of the step you want the tread to cover, and mark this out using tape on every step. Using tape to mark out where each tread should go will ensure an even and aligned finish when it comes to actually fitting the tread.
  4. For a luxury feel to the stairs, you can also consider using underlay too. Pro tip: if using underlay, trim down the outer corners so the edge of the runner itself is neater. The underlay can be stapled to every tread first before you begin to add the actual runner, using a staple gun.
  5. Use carpet tape to align the runner in between the guides you’ve already marked out on the stairs, and once you’ve secure the first runner, use a staple gun to really secure it in place. You’ll want to add staples in every other inch.
  6. To really ensure a neat finish, you then need to use a rubber mallet and bolster. First use the bolster to score an even fold on each step, and then the mallet as well to make sure it sits snugly into the back of each tread and nothing is ‘sticking out’.
  7. You then need to shape the runner around each ‘nose’ – lip – of the stairs to created that nice looking curved finish on every step. Again to do this you can use a mallet to ensure it is snuggled in, and then take a staple gun to affix staples every few inches, just beneath the lip on each step, to ensure it fits tightly in place.
  8. You need to repeat the above for each step on the staircase, and remember you can always use your staple gun to go back over any loose edges.

Watch a video demonstration below: