Hear from Our Customers
Your hardwood stairs look beautiful, but they’re slippery, cold, and echo through your home every morning. You want the safety and comfort without losing that elegant look you paid for.
Here’s what changes when you add the right stair carpet runner. Your family moves confidently up and down stairs—no more white-knuckle moments with kids racing around or guests in dress shoes. The echo disappears, replaced by the quiet comfort of a well-appointed home. Your expensive hardwood stays protected from daily wear while gaining the warmth and texture that makes your staircase feel intentional.
The best part? You’re not covering up your beautiful stairs—you’re enhancing them. A properly designed runner showcases your staircase’s lines while adding the practical benefits you actually need.
We’ve been serving St. James homeowners for over 20 years, and we understand what works in Long Island homes. The coastal humidity, the mix of traditional and contemporary architecture, the way families actually live in these spaces—it all matters when you’re selecting and installing stair runners.
We’re part of a 1,000-store cooperative, which means we have access to premium materials and exclusive products you won’t find at typical carpet stores. But we’re locally owned, so you get personalized service that understands your neighborhood’s specific needs.
Our installation team includes craftsmen like Russ, who customers describe as creating “fine pieces of art” in their homes. When you’re investing in your staircase, that level of skill matters.
The process starts with understanding your space and how you use it. We’ll schedule a consultation at your home to see your staircase, discuss your family’s needs, and show you samples that work with your existing décor and lighting.
Next comes precise measuring. Every staircase is different—straight runs, turns, landings, pie steps—and getting the measurements right the first time prevents delays and ensures a perfect fit. We’ll also discuss edge finishing options, from standard binding to custom details that match your style.
Installation happens on your timeline. Our experienced team arrives with everything needed to complete the job, from padding to finishing materials. We protect your home during the process and clean up completely when finished. You’re left with a staircase that looks like it was always meant to have that runner.
Ready to get started?
St. James homes range from classic colonials to modern waterfront properties, and your stair runner should complement your specific style. We carry everything from traditional wool runners in rich burgundies and navy blues to contemporary geometric patterns in the warmer tones that are trending now.
For families with active lifestyles—kids, pets, frequent entertaining—we recommend stain-resistant options that maintain their appearance despite heavy use. If you’re in a historic home with unique architectural details, we can create custom runners that work with curved stairs, unusual widths, or multiple landings.
The Long Island climate means your runner needs to handle humidity changes without shrinking or buckling. We select materials and installation methods that account for these local conditions, ensuring your investment looks great year after year.
Installation costs vary based on your staircase’s complexity and the materials you choose. For a straight set of stairs, expect to invest between $800-$1,200 total, including materials and professional installation.
Simple straight staircases with basic runners start around $800, while custom runners for curved stairs or stairs with multiple landings can reach $1,500 or more. The material itself ranges from $30-$50 per linear foot for quality options, with most staircases requiring 20-25 linear feet.
We provide detailed estimates after measuring your specific staircase, so you know exactly what to expect before making any decisions.
Wool runners perform exceptionally well in Long Island’s coastal climate because they naturally resist moisture and maintain their shape through humidity changes. They also offer the rich colors and textures that complement both traditional and contemporary home styles common in St. James.
For high-traffic households, synthetic blends with stain-resistant treatments provide durability without sacrificing appearance. These work particularly well for families with children or pets, as spills and accidents clean up easily.
Natural fiber options like sisal add texture and work beautifully in casual coastal settings, though they require more careful maintenance and aren’t ideal for homes with pets or heavy stair traffic.
Stair runners dramatically reduce slip hazards, especially on polished hardwood or painted stairs that become slippery when wet or dusty. The added traction helps everyone—from children running upstairs to elderly family members who need extra stability.
The cushioning effect also makes falls less severe if they do occur. Instead of hard wood, there’s a softer surface that can reduce injury risk. This is particularly important for families with young children who are still developing coordination.
Runners also improve visibility of each step edge, which helps prevent missteps in low light conditions. The defined border created by the runner makes it easier to judge step depth and placement, reducing the chance of catching a toe or missing a step entirely.
Yes, professional installation can accommodate virtually any staircase configuration, including curved stairs, pie-shaped steps, and stairs with multiple turns or landings. However, these installations require more skill and custom fabrication, which affects both timeline and cost.
Curved staircases need runners that are carefully measured and cut to follow the stair’s arc without bunching or pulling. This often means creating multiple pieces that are seamed together invisibly, requiring experienced installers who understand how to maintain pattern alignment.
Our installation team has experience with the variety of staircase styles found in St. James homes, from grand foyer staircases to narrow service stairs. We’ll assess your specific situation and recommend the best approach for both appearance and durability.
Quality stair runners professionally installed typically last 8-12 years in residential settings, though this varies significantly based on traffic levels, material choice, and maintenance. Wool runners in moderate-traffic homes often exceed 10 years, while synthetic options in high-traffic areas might need replacement in 5-8 years.
The nose of each step experiences the most wear since it takes the brunt of foot traffic and shoe contact. High-quality materials and proper installation techniques help distribute this wear more evenly, extending the runner’s lifespan.
Regular maintenance—professional cleaning every 12-18 months and prompt attention to spills or damage—significantly extends runner life. Some homeowners choose to replace just the bottom few steps if they wear faster than the rest, which can add years to the overall installation.
Professional installation includes in-home consultation and measuring, custom cutting and edge finishing, all necessary padding and adhesives, complete installation, and cleanup. The installer will also remove and dispose of any existing stair covering if needed.
The service begins with precise measurement of your staircase, including any turns, landings, or unusual features. The runner is then custom cut to fit your exact specifications and finished with binding or other edge treatments that complement your décor.
Installation includes proper padding placement, secure attachment using appropriate methods for your stair material, and careful finishing at top and bottom transitions. We also provide care instructions and warranty information, plus we back our work with the Beautiful Guarantee for complete peace of mind.
Local Resources
Other Services we provide in St. James
