Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaners (carpet stair tread)

carpet stair tread

The wet/dry vacuum cleaner combination is no longer
just for a workshop. Over the years, the driving
technology has improved a great deal, deceasing
the loud screeching noises that the vacuums were
so very well known for.

When you go out to buy a wet/dry vacuum with both
wet and dry features, you'll need to know some of
the details. The vacuums are available in a variety
of different sizes and HP, ranging from 6 - 22 gallons
and 1.5 - 10.5 HP. The capacity of the wet/dry
vacuum should match your needs in the following
ways:
1. Wall mount vacuum cleaners with 1.5 HP
and a 1 gallon tank are available for quick and easy
cleanup jobs, such as spills. You can also hang
this type on the wall as well, which will keep it out
of your way.
2. The six gallon vacuum cleaners are ideal
for smaller jobs and are easy to maneuver and store
than a larger model. Keep in mind however, that the
smaller wet/dry cleaners are much louder and also
more prone to tipping over. The smaller the tank,
the more often you will have to stop and empty it.
3. Higher capacity models are recommended
if you have a workshop or garage where larger spills
occur. A large capacity tank will decrease the number
of times that you have to empty the tank.

When you looking for the best wet/dry vacuum for
you, you should look for the following options and
features:
- The pleated cartridge filter. It is
reusable and rinseable, and provides more filtration
area than the flat filter and it doesn't need to
be removed when you switch from the dry to wet
vacuum function.
- An automatic shut off device is available
with most newer vacuum cleaners. This mechanism
will shut off the motor automatically once the
tank has become full of water, which will prevent
it from overflowing.
- A wide set of wheels will help to prevent
the vacuum from tipping over.
- There are some of the larger models that
have the ability to convert to a leaf blower, which
is great if you have a lot of trees in your yard.
- Some wet/dry models have a built in pump
attachment as well. This type of attachment will
allow the water to be pumped through a garden hose
that attaches to the vacuum.
- A handy drain valve or sprout will make
emptying the vacuum cleaner a snap. If it doesn't
have this feature, you'll have to remove the
lid and tip the vacuum to the side to empty all of
the water. Depending on how much water you have
in the tank, you could easily and accidentally
spill it on the floor. The smaller types of wet/dry
vacuums normally don't have a spout or drain
option.
- Wider hoses and floor nozzles are great
to have as well. The wider the hose and nozzle
are, the less likely the vacuum will be to clog up
on you.

If they aren't provided with the vacuum you decided
on, you can also purchase the following attachments:
1. Crevice tool - this handy tool will
easily get in tight corners and around floor edges.
2. Extension wand - this will make the hose
longer for hard to reach areas.
3. Hose couplings - this will join the
extension wand to the hose.
4. Combination nozzle - this helps to
alleviate the need of switching nozzles before you
switch functions.
5. Gulper nozzle - this tool is ideal for
the wet vacuum function.
6. Round brush - this nifty little tool
is ideal for scrubbing.
7. Cleaning kit - this kit will include
everything you need to clean delicate upholstery and
other areas as well.

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Tips on Installing Stair Rods

by Derek Rogers

Stair rods are the thin pieces of either metal or plastic that fit to the base of each stair riser to hold your staircase carpet runner in place. This not only protects the carpet and stops it from moving from position, but it also increases safety measures as people are less likely to fall or trip on carpet sections that have come loose from the stairs. You also have the added benefit of a decorative, attractive finish to your carpet, which adds charm and style to your staircase.

Even though stair carpets should be fitted with grippers to help avoid any movement in the carpet, stair rods form an extra means of securing your carpets, but they simply are not strong enough to form the only means of securing them.

Stair rods are available in several materials and several decorative finishes to suit any taste or decor. They range from various timbers or chrome finish to iron or brass, there are so many styles available that you will easily find one available to suit you and your home.

It is possible to order stair rods that are made to measure, but it is important that you get your initial measurements correct to ensure correct fitting and to avoid ending up with stair rods that are too short.

Most staircase carpets are fitted inside each stair riser, so you will need to measure not only the width of your carpet but also add extra length for the finial, or decorative end piece. This means the measurement you supply will be a tip-to-tip measurement from the end of one finial to the end of the other. As stair rods are front fitted, this means you can add them to carpet runners or stairs that are completely carpeted.

When installing your stair rods you should mount the bracket firmly onto the staircase so that it sits directly alongside the edge of the carpet. It is recommended that you drill a pilot hole first for easier installation.

Attach the finials or decorative end pieces to the rods and secure them in place using small screws so they don't come off. Once both brackets are installed, lay the stair rod in the brackets being sure that the rod protrudes an equal distance from the bracket on each end. You should check that the rod overhangs the carpet runner an equal distance on each side, and then carefully screw the top half of the bracket to the bottom bracket piece to secure the stair rod in place.

If you are installing stair rods to fully carpeted stairs you may require longer screws to hold the brackets in place as the screw will need to go through the carpet and the underlay before it can grip to the stair riser.

Once your stair rods are installed, you should be able to enjoy a stylish accent to your staircase that not only looks great but is amazingly low maintenance. Stair rods don't require cleaning with cleaning products; simply wipe them with a clean cloth to maintain their protective lacquer coating and their fine finish.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For flooring accessories, he recommends Completely Flooring, one of the UK's leading suppliers of Stair Rods.

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Custom Carpeted Staircases: 7 Tips for Top Quality Installations

by Russell Webb


There are a few factors that need to be considered prior to any carpet installation on stairs. Now add the complexity of a custom designed & fabricated installation & you have an even bigger challenge. Are you up for it?

Follow these tips for a smooth & fearless custom carpeted staircase installation. First a hypothetical.

I'm going to predict that you have successfully designed & bid the project. Your client loved your design & can't wait to have it installed. You're also getting paid very well for this installation because you're one of the few highly trained rug fabricators in your area. Your client expects to pay for your expertise & you'll probably earn every penny!

Tip #1. Team up with a qualified carpet installer. Nearly all staircase projects will be brokered through a carpet dealer. There will likely be a full carpet install & the staircase is just a part of the whole project. Sit down with the carpet dealer & installer & iron out the strategy for the install.

A) What type of staircase is this? Box stairs, side wrap, spiral, bullnose or is it a custom staircase?

B) Depending on the type of staircase & the design you've created, You may have a simple 'waterfall' installation where you are installing 3-5 or more steps in 1 piece. This only works if the design is simple & straight forward - like a border design - or a stair runner install.

C) When installing a custom staircase, a spiral staircase, or your design needs precision placement - lets say you have a rose on each side that falls exactly on the tread/step. You'll then need to install each step seperately.

Tip #2. Make an exact template of each step. Ideally you would use the exisiting stair carpet & trace directly onto the new piece of carpet - remember to have face fibers down - working from the back. Of course this implies that your client has approved of your strategy and has allowed you to 'borrow' their existing staircase carpet.

The other method is to use heavy brown paper. You can buy a roll from your local home improvement store - you'll find it in the paint section. You can then create stair templates using the paper and a roll of tape to piece sections together.

Either method you choose, you'll need to MARK EACH STEP - first step is #1, next step is #2 & so on.

Tip #3. Prefabricate the whole staircase prior to installation, most improtantly any & all carving & beveling. You won't have any fun trying to bevel your design after the carpet is installed, in fact, it's darn near impossible.

Tip #4. Give yourself an extra 1 inch of carpet all around the perimeter of each side. This will give you a little breathing room in lining up your step during the install. This excess carpet will be trimmed off during the installation.

Tip #5. Be there for the install. Be prepared for any last minute additions or adjustments. Have extra carpet on hand. Have all of your tools available.

Tip #6. Avoid design elements on the pivot point of the tread & riser. Horizontal seams can open & 'grin' - it's not very attractive. Center your designs on the tread & on the riser. Random designs are fine too, just be aware of where they land during the install.

Tip #7 Use double-wide tackless strip on the treads. This can help anchor down the carpet if you have a stubborn piece to work with.

Yes, some staircase projects are easier to install than others. Ultimately you are in the drivers seat during the design phase. If you're thinking ahead during the design phase & you have a strategy in place, then you can avoid unnecessary surprises.

Let's recap: Plan your design with ease of installation in mind. Avoid any horizontal seams on the tread and riser pivot points. Create templates for each step and number sequentially. Prefabricate your stairs prior to install, do as much work off site as you can. Work with the best installation crew that you can. Be prepared for any last minute adjustments during the install.

In the end, if you've focused on creating a quality product, you're client will, no doubt, be amazed and impressed with their new custom carpeted staircase.


Russell Webb, your friendly expert Custom Carpet Maker. If you're ready to launch your own creative and exciting home based business as a custom rug fabricator, and have fun doing it, subscribe to my FREE 4 part minicourse at http://www.erugmakers.com

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Best carpet cleaning machines

by Sabrina Rocca

Having access to proper machinery is vital when cleaning a carpet. This is especially important if you have a lot of carpet in your house. Here are some of the best carpet cleaning machines out in the market:

The Clean Master Express: The Clean Master Express is a very easy tool to use regardless of a person?s age or experience. Its rotating cleaning heads help it easily move in all directions. This makes it easy to push around even though it looks heavy. Its functionality not only focuses on carpets but on hard floors as well. It has a 12 gallon capacity and you don?t have to be interrupted by any noise since the machine doesn?t make any.

Powr-Flite Perfect Heat PFX1085: This machine is compact, stylish, and is easy to maneuver. It has large stair climbing wheels for easy access for houses with stairs. It has a waste dump-out system that drains the water out without having the need for buckets. It has a 38 liter solution tank and has a 3 stage vac motor for better and faster soil extraction and drying.

The Clean Pro: The Clean Pro works with 2 powerful vacuum motors and each of these motors has 3 sets of fans and each vacuum motor can be turned on and off independently, so it becomes easier to switch between carpet cleaning. It comes with a 130 psi Shurflo pump although the recommended minimum spec for an entry level pump is 100psi. This makes the Clean Pro produce professional results.

CFR carpet cleaning Machine Range: This machine uses a high pressure 400-1000psi pump for fast and reliable cleaning. It also has a quick drying system which means you never have to worry about wet carpets.

The Minuteman Ambassador Jr. Carpet Extractor. This cleaning machine is firm and durable and can clean up to 2,500 square feet per hour. It is made of noncorrosive polyethylene. It has a stainless steel solution strainer that filters out those particulates that may harm the pump and it has an automatic float shut-off to prevent damage to the vacuum motor.

Although these are only 5 of the best carpet cleaning machines here, there are still more out there in the market. Purchasing one of these products will go a long way in making carpet cleaning an easy and enjoyable task.


For more great cleaning tips, visit http://www.housecleaningchecklist.ca. While you're there, sign up for your FREE speed cleaning course.

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The Best carpet Cleaning Methods

by Sabrina Rocca


Understanding carpet cleaning methods is critical when it comes to cleaning your filthy carpet. Doing a little bit of research on some of the best carpet cleaning methods should be done first, if you want to avoid messing up your carpet.

You must know what particular type of carpet you have and what type of cleaning needs to be done. Does it need a regular cleaning or a heavy cleaning? Is my carpet made of man-made fibers? Can I clean this up myself or should I employ a professional cleaner? These are just some of the questions that you should ask yourself when it comes to cleaning your carpet since the intensity of your cleaning will really depend on the type of carpet and on how dirty is.

One of the best things you can do is to react as soon as an accident happens. Do not scrub the carpet since that will further damage your carpet but blot it up as much as you can and use a mild detergent diluted with warm water to blot the stain out. If this doesn't work, you can try using hydrogen peroxide but use it first on a hidden part of the carpet. If all else fails, call a professional since they have more expertise on this matter.

If your carpet is made of non synthetic material fibers, you should follow closely follow the manufacturers? Directions on how it should be cleaned. Hot water and steam together with carpet shampoos are the most common cleaning methods for man-made fibers. You can also use dry compounds, dry foams, and dry chemicals since they are also good carpet cleaning methods when it comes to natural cleaning.

Cleaning the carpet yourself will require you a great amount of time and a lot of patience since the process of cleaning carpets is not an easy task. If the cleaning procedure is just a simple one and all your required materials for cleaning are at hand, then you can probably do it yourself. But if you are not sure about the right way and you are afraid to mess up your carpet, then a good alternative is hiring a professional.


For more great cleaning tips, visit http://www.housecleaningchecklist.ca. While you're there, sign up for your FREE speed cleaning course.

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Upright Vacuums: Choosing the Best Upright Vacuum Cleaner

by Stacy Carolin

Choosing a vacuum cleaner may sometimes prove to be frustrating. Almost all upright vacuum cleaners offer a multitude of things, like useful accessories, clean exhaust, and a powerful suction. But very seldom that it actually delivers what it promised. By taking into consideration the recent innovations included in the cleaner such as its HEPA filter and the bagless technology, you have a lot to determine the definite workhorse of the vacuum industry.

A Variety of Upright Vacuums

There are actually several upright vacuums you can choose from and coming from several brand leaders. These are a few of the upright vacuums you can select:

1. Dyson upright vacuums. Dyson is one of the current market leaders in the vacuum industry that promises strong suction power and performance. They have the slim models which saves about one-third of the space originally occupied by the traditional models. They use Root Cyclone Technology™, which is quite helpful to allergic people and asthmatics. It can pick up the finest of pet hairs, loose carpet fibers, debris, and other grime and dirt in the carpet and floor. It comes with accessories that help in the cleaning process such as its telescopic wand. The see-through dirt canister eliminates the need for bags and doesn't have clogging problems as it has HEPA filters. All Dyson upright vacuums are certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation in Britain and America.

2. Halo UV-ST Ultraviolet upright vacuum. This upright vacuum is touted to offer exciting innovations that struck the vacuum industry. It uses its UV-C light to kill the germs that are hiding and lurking in the carpet and the bare floors. This upright vacuum is just marvelous and is perfect for homes that have children and pets. The germicidal light kills the microbes and even flea eggs and also uses HEPA filtration and odor-trapping filters to enclose the vacuumed pollutants.

3. Euro-Pro Infinity Pet Care System NV31. This upright vacuum might cost just half the price of the leading vacuum cleaners, but it offers sheer vacuuming performance. It does not only have a strong suction, but it also has edge bristles on the main head that makes cleaning more efficient. This upright vacuum also has useful attachments such as the Pet Hair Power Brush to effectively remove stubborn pet hairs. Bare floor, hardwood, or tiled floors, cleaning is a breeze with Euro-Pro.

4. Eureka Limelight Green Capture 8803AVZ. This upright bagless vacuum cleaner is rich with features, but is sold at budget price. Its strong suction picks up grime and dirt on carpet floors, upholstery, stairs, ceilings, under the beds, and more. It has a Power Paw feature that has a special cleaning brush designed to remove tiny pet hairs stuck on stair steps, upholstery, or just about anywhere your pet snuggles most often.

5. Bissell Healthy Home Bagless Upright Vacuum 5770. What's great about the Bissell is that it is designed for those who are fighting allergies. It has a dust-mite killing spray that will be used on pillows, upholstery, and mattresses. Its TurboBrush also helps in sucking pet hairs on any floor type. This upright vacuum offers self-adjustments for use on different heights.

The decision of choosing the right upright vacuum for your home lies in your hands. Bank's Vacuum Superstores is just around the corner to help you in getting the definite vacuum workhorse for your home.

Upright Vacuums: Best Upright Vacuum Cleaners only at http://www.banksvac.com/

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How to Clean Wool Carpets

by: Keith Wroblewski

This guide is written to help you maintain your wall to wall wool carpet. It is not meant for wool Oriental rugs. These rugs may have loose dye that will bleed or crock. I reccomend that you have these rugs taken to a rug plant that specializes in wool rugs. Oriental rugs should never be cleaned at your home since the dies may bleed.

If you have recently purchased a wool carpet please go to your pantry which holds all your carpet cleaning spotters and throw them away. Never use a soap or carpet cleaning chemical on wool carpet unless it has a PH between 4.5 and 8.5. To be completely safe you could stay below a PH of 7 (neutral and will not cause the dyes to bleed) or look for your carpet cleaning product at http://www.fernmark.com. Be especially careful of using bleach products near your wool carpet. Bleach will actually dissolve wool carpet and leave you with a giant hole. Bleach is a great way to test your carpet for wool content if your not sure if your carpet has wool in it. Now that we have discussed what not to do, we can establish how to better maintain your wool carpet.

Vacuum as often as you can. This is akin to washing your hair.How many days a week do you skip washing your hair? Only use low PH cleaners. Using over the counter products on wool carpets is like using Tide on your hair!High PH cleaners will break down the cuticle or hard scaly surface that holds the fiber together. Breaking down the cuticle would leave us with a fuzzy mess. When using a wool safe product - blot. Scrubbing will also cause the fiber to fuzz out. I also recommend that you blot up the wool safe spotter with an acidic rinse ( 1 part white vinegar 3 part water). This will remove any residue and leave the wool fiber slightly acidic which will help maintain the wools softness. You also want to speed dry your wool carpet. If the carpet takes too long to dry it can turn yellow or brown. Using too high a PH cleaner on your wool carpet can also turn the fibers brown or yellow. We call this PH browning.

In conclusion vacuum as often as you can. Spot clean with wool safe products. Blot rinse with an acidic rinse and never use bleach (causes wool to dissolve) or products with a high PH. Have your carpets cleaned by a professional at least once a year by a professional carpet cleaner who uses wool safe products. For more information on carpets, carpet cleaning, carpet repair, water damage, allergies please go to http://www.colorado-carpet-masters.com


Keith Wroblewski is an IICRC Master Carpet Cleaner who has been in the cleaning industry for 20 years. He has produced several free help guides and now offers these guides at

http://www.colorado-carpet-masters.com

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Accessorising Your Wood Floors

by Ruth Shann

Accessorising Your Wood Floors

You have just purchased your beautiful wood floor - it is now laid and looks fantastic. Now all you need is to accessorise the floor. The following suggestions will help you enhance your wooden floor.

1. Wood Doors

Change the interior doors to matching wooden doors. There are a large variety of wooden doors now available especially oak doors. There is a full range of veneered oak doors, walnut doors, cherry, beech, pine, pitch pine and white doors - almost any colour to match any wooden floor.

Bespoke doors are also available however these are more costly due to the individual manufacturing processes. The doors can complement a wood floor perfectly and come in a variety of finishes. A large number of oak doors are unfinished when purchased so they can be sealed to match the floor with either an oil or varnish - they can even be colour oiled to blend with a similar colour oiled floor. Oils are the most common finish for doors however varnish / lacquer is adequate. The majority of doors are veneered hardwood for both conservation and stability however there are a small number of solid wood doors available.

Most doors have an identical style in half hour rated fire doors which will pass all building regulations where 30 minute fire doors are required. A new line of supermodel doors also contain glazed fire doors which enable more flexibility with style and design.

External doors also come in various timbers - usually veneered again for stability due to the high exposure to cold, heat and moisture. A new front door is a perfect finish to the front of your house.

Wood doors range in style from Victorian style, 1930s style to the modern and contemporary - there is a door style to suit all tastes, colours and styles.

2. Skirting, Architrave and Door casings

The best way to complement a new wood door is to accessorise with the matching door frame, architrave and skirting. There is a large range of door casings, architraves and skirtings available to complement the wood flooring and doors you have chosen in many styles and timbers.

The most popular is the oak - there are both engineered and solid door casings. There is very little difference between the solid and engineered casings however joiners will often specify the types preferred or there will be a preference due to location (ie. In below ground applications) There are two types of door casings - rebated door casings and door linings which come with a loose stop. They are both suitable for all types of doors however where a fire rated door casing is required there are ready made door casings with the intumescent strip for the building regulations.

Architraves also come in both solid and engineered timber. Sizes vary from approx 45mm - 90mm or wider depending on the application. A standard size is usually around 57mm for most houses dating from 1900's. The style of architrave varies and matches most skirting board profiles. It is also possible to have architrave blocks - small squares on the corners - an older design now becoming popular once again. Styles of architrave include original designs such as torus, ogee and lambs tongue, plus other more contemporary styles such as pencil round (bullnose), chamfered and square edged.

Architraves are available unfinished, prefinished with oil, lacquer / varnish or colour oiled to match the flooring or doors.

Skirtings can make your new floor look completely finished - they enhance the hardwood floors giving clean lines around the edges of the room - the floors look like they have been part of the home for some time. Once again, oak skirting is the most popular timber to blend with the oak floors.

Engineered and solid skirtings are available in numerous sizes. The engineered skirtings are veneered with a top layer of real wood and give the option of more types of timber such as walnut which is very rare in a solid skirting but more widely available in a veneer.

The standard sizes of skirtings range from 95mm to 220mm however the most popular ones are between 95 and 140mm. Often you will be guided by the size of skirting previously fitted as sockets and plaster will dictate the height. Styles of skirting match all the architrave styles - original designs like torus, ogee and lambs tongue along with contemporary designs such as square edge, bullnose (pencil round) and chamfered.

Skirtings are available unfinished, prefinished with oil, lacquer / varnish or colour oiled to match the flooring or doors. Oak skirtings have often been used to complement light coloured carpets as well as oak flooring to break up the room between light floors and light walls - this is often done in bedrooms where people often want the comfort of carpet but with a hint of wood.

Window boards in the same timber as your floor will brighten up any window and make them look like new - as with the skirting, doors and architrave - the most popular ones are oak. The window boards can come in the original bullnose edging or with a square edge for a contemporary look.

The sizes of the window boards are available between 100mm - 350mm in both a solid board or veneered oak MDF board. The window sills are available unfinished or prefinished in a lacquer / varnish, oil or colour oil to complement the room.

These boards can also be used as stair cladding to clad over an existing staircase. The bullnose is perfect for the tread of the stair and square edge can be used for the riser - no need to rout out the existing overhang as the stairs can be packed first for the cladding to go over. A perfect accompaniment for all wooden floors.

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Make Your Stairs Safer With Carpet Stair Treads

by Ben Andrews

Millions of people are injured each year from falls in the home, but you can help prevent them in your home by using carpet stair treads. Protect your family from dangerous falls and slip related injuries. Stair treads are one easy and inexpensive way to keep your family safe.

Stair treads should be a must in your home if you have children or elderly adults living with you, as these two groups have the greatest risk for fall related injuries. For older adults, a fall can have devastating consequences if it breaks a hip bone or creates another injury. Of fall injuries, a significant number happen on a home's stairs and a study on insurance costs found that only car accidents created more insurance costs than fall injuries.

Many people overlook their stairs when they are making their homes safer. They install alarms and locks, buy mats for their bathtub, and put in smoke detectors. While these safety features are all important, protecting your family from falls is also important. We often take for granted that hand railing will keep everyone safe on the stairs, but this just isn't the case.

Stair tread should provide a non-slippery surface on your stairs. Whether your stairs are concrete, wood, or carpet, you can add additional protection to them. You can find stair treads made out of rubber, metal, or braided materials. You can also use carpet treads on wood floors to stop people from slipping on them.

You'll find that buying carpet stair treads is cheaper than installing full carpet on your stairs. The treads will also look attractive next to wood flooring. Look for treads that will not only look great but will also allow you to see the depth and width of the steps. This will also help individuals walk up and down safely.

In addition to the stair treads, encourage your family to turn on the lights when they need to go up or down the stairs. Many people try to navigate in the dark and either slip or they trip on items that have been left on the stairs. Using the lights will help you see any obstacles and help you see where you need to place your feet to safely make it up or down.

Installing carpet stair treads will help you keep your family and guests safe from unintentional falls. They are easy to install and will cost you less than fully carpeting your stairs. Don't forget to make your stairs safer as you add safety items to other parts of your home.


An often overlooked safety feature for your home is carpet stair treads (http://www.myflooringpro.com/protecting-your-floors-with-carpet-stair-treads/). Learn more about discount carpet (http://www.myflooringpro.com/discount-carpet/) ideas and solutions at My Flooring Pro (http://www.myflooringpro.com/).

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Stairs, Stairwells, Carpet, Tiles and Timber Flooring

by Slattery & Acquroff Stairs

Flooring in areas surrounding staircases should be practical and hardwearing, be able to shrug off dirt brought into the house, and be safe. But at the same time, flooring also offers a chance to make a statement about the whole house.

A floor particularly in the stairwell positioned in a homes entrance area should be warm, welcoming and in keeping with the style and decoration of the surrounding rooms. Stairways can often have the best floors in the house. The trick is to appreciate them.

Carpeting your staircase and landings reduces the noise and controls the dust. If you have a narrow set of stairs, a carpet runner could be used as an alternative as it still reduces noise, but because it is narrower than the staircase, it helps increase the apparent width. A vertical strip down the carpet runner can also help.

Pale carpets are not always recommended for staircases as they get dirty very quickly and cleaning won't bring out some stains. Carpet may not be a good option if you want to add to the light as carpet trends not to the reflective. If carpet is to be installed in a stairwell where you are required to add light, don't be tempted to carpet a staircase in a shade that is already dirt coloured such as muds and coffees.

The fact that staircases are a high traffic area means to a carpeted staircase requires consideration. The edge of a tread of a carpeted staircase needs to be round to prevent premature wearing of the carpet on the nosing line. Wear and tare is the menace of a carpeted staircase.

Stairs can benefit from changes of pace, colour and texture. Simple or plain carpets are better because wild patterns can be deceptive and cause you to trip, although they can be as decorative and distinctive as a wooden or stone floors. For example, you can put a different coloured strip of carpet from the rest down the middle that follows the direction of the walls or stair. Neutral colours set off brighter colours on the walls.

Flooring and a staircase can be brought together. The floor can be divided into chunks that has width and depth similar to a stair tread. A handrail can divide the stair and similar flooring like an abstract painting. Like wise the gentle curve of a geometric stair and the simplicity of the construction makes it perfect contrast for a very busy, colourful floor - this can be done with tiles, timber or carpet finish.

With multi-patterned flooring such as with encaustic tiles, the simplicity of the stair can be increased by picking just one or two shades from the floor and repeating them on the stair. If the size of a tile in proportion to the floor space is carefully considered the ever popular black and white tile never fails to look elegant.

A floor covering that is a contrast to the staircase helps make to stair safe. Any contrast between the materials or in the case of timber, direction of the grain aids the eye in distinguishing between the steps of the staircase and the staircase entry and exit points.

When considering timber flooring the wealth of choice is endless. A stairwell's floor can be individual design and styled to site a staircase. In the case of parquetry before you start selecting timbers, the possible styles you can consider are Lineal: "straight lines", Herringbone: "angled blocks", Double herringbone: "two blocks next to each other in same pattern as herringbone", Basket Weave or a Square on Square. All these designs can be altered by laying them in 45o angle or 90o angle having a stunning effect. Then you can consider Borders to add a decorative feature to the parquetry floor. The border could also use contrasting timber give greater effect. Often it can be best to keep floor treatments as simple as possible particularly in smaller areas, if a floor gets over complicated, the space will be spoiled. Therefore, if you have natural, good looking floors, don't bother to carpet them unless the noise is too much. If you must have carpet, go for a plain version in a strong wearing weave or in smaller houses a striped runner is good. If you leave the floors relatively plain, you can go crazy on the walls with colour and the stairwells lighting.

For more information regarding our range of products, staircase and balustrading options available, visit our celebrated web site - www.stairking.com.au

Slattery & Acquroff, for the best stairs, on time.

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