FLOORING

Lay a stair runner

Fit gripper rods, underlay and a stair runner safely, checking your stair material and any hidden cables before drilling or nailing.

SR-01Measure the stairs and buy your materialsMeasure the width of each tread and pick a runner width that leaves an even strip of bare tread on both sides, usually 50-75mm each side. Measure from the back of the top riser to the front of the bottom tread, following the pitch of the stairs, then add 300mm for pattern matching and waste. Buy the runner, gripper rods (also called tackless strip), stair underlay, and tacks or heavy-duty staples.
4 m · Stair runner
1 box · Gripper rods (900mm lengths, box)
4 m · Stair underlay
1 each · Heavy-duty staple gun
1 box · Carpet tacks (box)
SR-02Strip the stairs back to bare treadsRemove any old carpet, runner or gripper rods, working from the top step down. Pull out old tacks and staples with pliers, and lever off old gripper rods with a bolster chisel and hammer, working gently so you don't split the tread edge. Vacuum the treads and risers thoroughly, and check for any old nail heads or tack ends still sticking up.
1 each · Pliers
1 each · Bolster chisel
1 each · Claw hammer
SR-03Work out what your stairs are made ofMost UK staircases are solid timber, but some newer builds and flats have concrete stairs finished with a timber or MDF cover strip. Tap each tread with a knuckle: a dull, solid thud usually means concrete underneath, while a slightly hollow, resonant knock means timber. You can also press a bradawl gently into the tread edge near where a gripper rod will sit — timber gives way and produces wood dust, concrete resists and any dust will be grey and gritty.
SR-04Fit new gripper rods with the right fixing for your stairsCables and pipes for stair lighting or sockets under the stairs can run through tread edges and risers, so use a cable and pipe detector first, but still treat every fixing point as if something could be there. Before you start, find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns, so you can shut the water off fast if you ever hit a pipe. If you're at all unsure, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before nailing or drilling. For timber treads, nail gripper rods down with the pins angled up towards the riser, about 10mm back from the riser join, and along the base of each riser. For concrete stairs, use concrete-rated gripper rods fixed with masonry nails or a stair adhesive, following the fixing the rod maker recommends, since ordinary nails won't hold in concrete.
1 box · Concrete-rated gripper rods (if needed)
1 each · Cable and pipe detector
1 packet · Masonry nails (for concrete stairs)
SR-05Cut and fit the underlay padsCut underlay pads to fit each tread and riser, sitting just behind the gripper rods without overlapping the pins. Staple or tack each pad lightly in two or three places so it can't shift once you're walking on the finished runner.
1 each · Utility scissors
SR-06Position and start the runner at the top stepLay the runner over the top step and centre it so the overhang is even on both sides all the way down. Fold under about 40mm of raw edge at the top and tack or staple it just behind the top gripper rod, so the fold is hidden under the nosing above it.
SR-07Work the runner down each step with a stair toolUse a stair tool to push the runner firmly into the angle between the tread and the riser, engaging it onto the gripper rod pins. Pull the runner taut before pressing it into the next step down, so there's no slack that could wrinkle or become a trip hazard. Repeat step by step to the bottom, checking the overhang stays even on both sides.
1 each · Stair tool
SR-08Finish and secure the bottom edgeAt the bottom step, fold the raw edge under by about 40mm and tack or staple it to the floor or bottom riser, tucking the fold out of sight. Trim any excess runner with a sharp utility knife, cutting from the back so you don't damage the pile.
1 each · Utility knife
SR-09Tidy up and final checkVacuum the whole staircase to lift loose fibres, then check every step is fully engaged on the gripper pins with no lifting at the edges. Run your hand along each tread edge to feel for proud tack heads or gripper pins and press down anything sticking up. Dispose of old carpet, tacks and offcuts, and check the stairs feel secure before anyone uses them.

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