I measured the entire house ( almost ) for hardwood floor, except the stairs.
My intention was to apply new carpet to the existing carpet on the stairs and to the upstairs hallway.

One installer suggested to apply hardwood to the stairs and upstairs hallway as well.

He would install wooden treads and risers.

He suggested to paint the spindles and stringer white and would stain the handrails and posts the colour of the floor.

Need some opinions........from any experts or interior designers???

What would look nicer carpet or wood?

Thanks for any comments.

Most carpet, except for very high quality wool, will wear out much faster on stairs then hardwood will. Wood stairs are a bit more "slick" but most folks do not have a problem with this as the finishes are not slippery. Personally, I like wood on stairs. It's very traditional and much more elegant looking. Everyone's got carpet but not everyone can afford real hardwood stairs. Did you see these?
http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwo ... php?t=1258
http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwo ... .php?t=894
http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwo ... .php?t=185

I vote for wood, wood, most definitely wood. You'll never have to replace it, it won't end up with a dirty path down the middle in a few years, no more hauling that vacuum up and down and it's ever so much more elegant looking.

Nice job on the bamboo gary , I do a lot of carpet on wood steps , where we install a runner on them , and put a gold rod in the crouch .. they had a touch of class .. For stars bennefit the rods can cost from $20.00 to $50.00 a rod , plus installation .. we use a low cut floral pattern for the cpt ..

Thanks Gary for the pics.....I believe we are sold on the wooden stairs thanks to you.
Just curious how it would look with wood risers instead of white.
In any event very beautiful.....thanks again.

Thanks for your post......someone suggested if we got wooden stairs to install a runner.

Any pics?

Sorry no Pics , But if you stop by a high end carpet store they shoulf have a little set of steps with the rods on them .. they are something you can put on yourself ..