Key Takeaways
| Runner Type | Cost per Step | 13-Step Total | Hardware Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget polyester, steel rods | $12–$16 | $156–$208 | Yes |
| Mid-grade nylon, brass rods | $18–$24 | $234–$312 | Yes |
| Premium wool, decorative rods | $25–$30 | $325–$390 | Yes |
| No hardware (adhesive only) | $8–$15 | $104–$195 | No |
Key factors: Runner width (24–36 inches), stair rod material (steel vs. brass), stair shape (straight vs. curved), wood finishing for exposed edges.
Add-ons: Old carpet removal ($3–$7/step), nosing repair ($5–$15/step), wood staining/painting ($10–$20/step), custom hardware ($15–$40/step).
Why Runners Cost More Than Full Carpet
Carpet runners cost $12 to $30 per step installed, which is higher than full wall-to-wall stair carpet at $10 to $20 per step. The extra cost comes from custom cutting and hardware installation.
A runner covers the center of each step, leaving wood or painted edges exposed on both sides. The installer cuts the carpet to the exact width—usually 24 to 36 inches—and secures it with stair rods or clips at each step.
Stair rods cost $5 to $15 per step depending on finish. Steel rods sit at the low end. Brass or bronze rods sit at the high end. Decorative rods with ornate brackets cost even more.
Runners require more precision than full carpet. The edges need to be straight and aligned. Any deviation shows immediately because the wood edges frame the carpet.
For a full comparison of runner vs. full carpet, see our stair carpet installation page.
Material Costs for Stair Runners
Stair runner carpet runs $4 to $12 per step depending on fiber and width. A 27-inch-wide runner uses less material than a 36-inch runner, but the per-step cost stays similar because of cutting and waste.
Polyester runners cost $4 to $6 per step. They’re soft but mat down quickly on high-traffic stairs.
Nylon runners cost $6 to $9 per step. Nylon resists wear and holds up to daily use. For stairs that connect main floors to bedrooms, nylon is the standard choice.
Wool runners cost $10 to $15 per step. Wool is durable, warm, and naturally stain-resistant. It’s the premium option for formal staircases.
Patterned runners cost $2 to $4 more per step than solids because installers need to match patterns across steps. A geometric or floral runner requires precise alignment.
Runner width affects material cost. A 24-inch runner uses less carpet than a 36-inch runner, but the price difference is usually $1 to $2 per step. Wider runners look better on wide staircases—36 inches or more.
Labor Costs for Runner Installation
Labor runs $5 to $15 per step depending on stair complexity and hardware type. Straight stairs with steel rods sit at the low end. Curved stairs with brass rods and decorative brackets sit at the high end.
Installers measure, cut, secure padding, install stair rods or clips, wrap the runner over the nosing, tuck it into the crotch between tread and riser, and trim excess.
Stair rod installation adds time. Each rod needs to be positioned, leveled, and screwed into the riser. Installers drill pilot holes to prevent wood from splitting.
Curved or spiral stairs cost 30% to 50% more per step than straight stairs. Each step is a different width and the runner needs custom cutting.
Old runner removal costs $3 to $7 per step depending on how it’s secured. Runners held with stair rods pull up quickly. Glued or stapled runners take longer.
Stair Rod Options and Hardware
Stair rods hold the runner in place and add a decorative element. They run horizontally across the riser just below the nosing.
Steel rods cost $5 to $8 per step. They’re functional but plain. Steel rods work well on painted or modern staircases where decoration isn’t the goal.
Brass rods cost $10 to $15 per step. Brass adds warmth and pairs well with hardwood stairs. It’s the standard choice for traditional or colonial-style homes.
Bronze or oil-rubbed rods cost $12 to $20 per step. They suit rustic or industrial interiors and resist tarnishing better than brass.
Decorative rods with ornate brackets cost $15 to $40 per step. Custom finishes, twisted designs, or antique reproductions fall into this range.
Some installers use clips or adhesive instead of rods. Clips are less visible but don’t add the decorative element. Adhesive is the cheapest option but makes runner removal difficult.
Runner Width and Stair Proportion
Runner width should be proportional to stair width. A 36-inch staircase looks balanced with a 27-inch runner. A 48-inch staircase looks better with a 30- to 36-inch runner.
Leaving 4 to 6 inches of exposed wood on each side creates a clean, framed look. Less than 4 inches makes the runner look too wide. More than 8 inches makes it look too narrow.
Measure tread width before ordering carpet. Stairs vary—some are 32 inches, others are 42 inches. A one-size-fits-all approach looks wrong.
Runners are cut to exact width. There’s no adjusting after installation. Get the width right before the installer cuts.
Exposed Wood Edge Finishing
Runners expose the stair edges. If the wood is raw, damaged, or painted poorly, it will show.
Staining exposed edges costs $10 to $20 per step depending on wood type and finish. Oak, maple, and ash take stain well. Pine requires pre-stain conditioner to prevent blotching.
Painting edges costs $8 to $15 per step. White or cream paint pairs well with neutral runners. Dark paint works with bold or patterned runners.
Refinishing old stairs—sanding, staining, and sealing—costs $20 to $40 per step. This is usually a separate contractor unless your installer offers finishing services.
Nosing repair or replacement costs $5 to $15 per step if the wood is chipped, cracked, or loose. Installers fill cracks, sand rough edges, and secure loose nosings before installing runners.
For more on stair preparation and repair, see our carpet repair service page.
Padding for Stair Runners
Runners need dense padding. Standard 6-pound foam compresses quickly under foot traffic. Use 8-pound or higher density padding.
Padding is cut to the same width as the runner. It sits on the tread and riser, and the runner wraps over it. Padding shouldn’t wrap over the nosing—it creates a bulge.
Rubber padding costs $1 to $2 per step and works better than foam because it doesn’t compress as much. Memory foam is overkill—it’s too thick and creates a spongy feel.
Some installers skip padding on runners to show off the wood edges better. This shortens runner life and makes stairs louder. Always use padding.
Add-On Costs for Runner Installation
Old runner removal costs $3 to $7 per step depending on how it’s secured. Runners held with stair rods pull up in minutes. Stapled or glued runners take hours.
Nosing repair costs $5 to $15 per step if the wood is damaged. Cracked, chipped, or loose nosings need fixing before the new runner goes down.
Wood staining or painting costs $10 to $20 per step for both edges. This is often a separate line item unless the installer offers finishing services.
Custom hardware costs $15 to $40 per step. Antique brass rods, decorative brackets, or custom finishes add cost but improve the look.
Transitions at the top and bottom of the stairs cost $15 to $40 each. Metal or wood transitions bridge the gap between runner and hardwood or tile.
Curved or winder stairs add 30% to 50% to the base per-step rate. Each step requires individual cutting and fitting.
Pricing Examples for Runner Projects
Scenario 1: Budget straight staircase, 13 steps
- 13 steps, polyester runner at $12/step: $156
- Steel stair rods: included
- 8-lb padding: included
- Old runner removal: $52
- Transitions (2): $30
- Total: $238
Scenario 2: Mid-grade straight staircase, 13 steps
- 13 steps, nylon runner at $20/step: $260
- Brass stair rods: included
- Rubber padding: included
- Old runner removal: $65
- Wood staining (both edges, 13 steps): $195
- Nosing repair (3 steps): $30
- Transitions (2): $40
- Total: $590
Scenario 3: Premium curved staircase, 15 steps
- 15 steps, wool runner at $28/step: $420
- Decorative bronze rods at $18/step: $270
- Dense rubber padding: included
- Old runner removal: $105
- Wood refinishing (15 steps): $450
- Transitions (2): $60
- Total: $1,305
These numbers assume residential stairs. Commercial stairs with heavy traffic require denser carpet and stronger hardware, which increases costs by 20% to 40%.
When to Choose a Runner Over Full Carpet
Runners make sense when the stair wood is worth showing. Hardwood stairs—oak, maple, walnut—look good with exposed edges. Painted or particle-board stairs don’t.
Runners add a traditional or formal look. They suit colonial, Victorian, or craftsman-style homes. Modern or minimalist homes often use full carpet or no carpet at all.
Runners cost about the same as full carpet when you factor in hardware and wood finishing. Don’t choose runners to save money—choose them for the look.
Runners are easier to replace than full carpet. If one section wears out, you replace the runner without touching the wood edges. Full carpet requires removing everything.
If your stairs are already carpeted and in good shape, switching to a runner requires removing the old carpet, refinishing the edges, and installing hardware. That’s more work and cost than replacing full carpet with full carpet.
For pricing on full stair carpet, see our stair carpet installation page.
How to Get an Accurate Runner Quote
Count your steps. Include the top landing if you’re carpeting it.
Measure tread width. Multiply by 0.75 to estimate runner width. A 36-inch staircase works well with a 27-inch runner.
Note stair shape. Straight, L-shaped, or curved. Take photos from the bottom and top to show the installer.
Decide on hardware. Steel, brass, bronze, or decorative rods. Each option has a different price point.
Ask if the quote includes padding, removal, and wood finishing. Some quotes bundle everything. Others charge separately for each item.
Check if the installer power-stretches runners. Knee-kicking alone won’t hold runners tight on stairs. The carpet will buckle within months.
Use our carpet cost calculator to estimate your runner project.
Common Runner Installation Mistakes
Using low-density padding. Runners need 8-pound or denser padding. Anything less compresses and shows wear within a year.
Skipping stair rods and using adhesive only. Adhesive fails over time and makes runner removal difficult. Use rods or clips.
Not refinishing exposed wood edges. Raw or damaged wood looks bad next to a new runner. Stain or paint the edges before installing the runner.
Cutting runners too narrow. A 20-inch runner on a 36-inch staircase looks thin and cheap. Use at least 24 inches, preferably 27 to 30 inches.
Not securing the nosing. If the wood nosing is loose, it will creak under the runner. Installers should screw or glue down loose nosings first.
Placing seams in the middle of steps. If the runner isn’t long enough to cover the entire staircase, seams should fall at the back of a tread where they’re less visible.
For help with runner stretching and adjustments, see our carpet stretching service page.
FAQ
How much does it cost to install a carpet runner on stairs in Ottawa? $12 to $30 per step depending on carpet grade and hardware. A 13-step staircase costs $156 to $390 installed.
Is a runner cheaper than full stair carpet? No. Runners cost about the same or more because of custom cutting and hardware installation.
What width should a stair runner be? 24 to 36 inches depending on stair width. Leave 4 to 6 inches of exposed wood on each side for a balanced look.
Do I need stair rods or can I use adhesive? Stair rods are recommended. They hold the runner securely and add a decorative element. Adhesive fails over time and makes removal difficult.
How long does it take to install a runner on a 13-step staircase? Four to eight hours depending on stair shape and wood finishing requirements.
Can I install a runner on curved stairs? Yes, but it costs 30% to 50% more per step because of custom cutting for each wedge-shaped tread.
What’s the best carpet for a stair runner? Nylon or wool with dense padding. Both resist wear and hold up to daily use. Expect to pay $18 to $28 per step.
Do I need to refinish the stair edges before installing a runner? Yes, if the wood is damaged, raw, or poorly painted. Refinishing costs $10 to $20 per step but makes a big difference in appearance.
How much does it cost to remove an old stair runner? $3 to $7 per step depending on how it’s secured. Runners held with stair rods pull up quickly. Glued runners take longer.
Can I use the same runner on stairs and hallway? Yes, if they connect. Using the same carpet creates a cohesive look and reduces visible seams.