FAQ
If your question is not answered by these Frequently Asked Questions, please visit our Resources pages or feel free to Contact Us. We'll be happy to answer any questions about your stair or hall runner project, or questions about our products and services.
We ship Stair Runner material and custom fabrication to customers who are outside of our local service area. For more information about this and other questions you may have, please see our Resources page.
How long has The Stair Runner Store been in business?
The Stair Runner Store, Creative Carpet & Rug, LLC has been in business since 1996. John Hunyadi, (owner/installer) has been installing all types of carpet for thirty years with a focus on runner installation and custom runner fabrication for more than 20 years. Eileen Hunyadi’s (owner/salesperson) experience includes bank management and formal training in interior design with the focus on stair runner products and their applications for more than 20 years. Connecticut Home Improvement Contractor Registration #00559710, BBB Accredited Business, Best of Houzz 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016,2016, 2018
What makes The Stair Runner Store different from other flooring retailers?
The large product selection is the first thing that customers notice, but the differences do not stop there. In the Stair Runner business, John and Eileen are unmatched not only in selection, service, and craftsmanship, but experience specifically in runners. They've spent the last 20+ years dealing with patterned, woven carpet every day, complex layouts, difficult installation or challenging fabrication, and all types of staircases and hallways. , Unlike a typical flooring dealer, StairRunnerStore offers unique fabrication techniques which is often key to the project. Custom fabrication work is shipped daily to customer throughout the country. Whether simple or complex - why not purchase your runner from the experts?
Of what material is a stair runner made?
Runners are generally woven using either wool or synthetic pile fibers. Regardless of the fiber, most woven product are constructed in similar ways on the same types of looms. Wool products tend to vary more in the types of looms used to weave them. Each fiber comes in an array of qualities and prices, but synthetic fiber is typically a less expensive choice. Our product selection is split nearly in half by wool or synthetic options. Since we have such a vast collection, hundreds of choices are offered in each fiber.
How is stair runner material sold?
Stair Runner material is sold by the running or linear foot. Each runner product page has a drop down menu in order to select the linear footage needed. Runner material is sold in full foot increments - however, if you need a runner end finished to a specfic length we can accommodate that request. More information can be found on this page: Runner End Finishes Explained
How do I determine the amount of material/length required for a staircase?
For a straight staircase footage can be determined using a simple calculation which requires the number of steps and the size of your steps. A typical straight step consisting of a riser + tread will require 18 to 20 inches. We typically find that most straight steps require us to order 19″ per step. Please use our Straight Staircase Calculator to find the footage needed for your straight staircase project. The calculator uses the most common step dimension of 19 inches. A calculator button can be found on each runner product page.
- If you have a landing within the staircase, and would like us to fabricate a custom landing the calculation is more variable. For this type of project we have a Custom Landing Quote Form. Generally the form asks for the number of steps below the the landing, the landing dimensions, landing direction when walking up, the number of steps above the landing and your runner material choice. To create a custom landing, the runner pattern repeat must be added to the footage for each landing or other custom finish.
Is wool better than synthetic?
Wool and synthetic fibers are like “apples and oranges” in many ways. Each fiber can be said to be better than the other in some way. In general, they may differ in appearance (color and texture), wear differently, and represent different price categories. We provide customers with detailed information regarding fiber differences, but find many people will choose a product simply because of its color and pattern.
How do I maintain a stair runner?
There are simple, but significant steps you can take to maintain and prolong the life or your runner or any carpet in your home: (1) It is advisable to remove shoes prior to entering carpeted areas, significantly cutting down on soil. (2) Vacuum, Vacuum, Vacuum. (3)Keep adjacent hard-surface floors as clean as possible. Soil on hard surfaces is carried onto the carpet. (4)Have your carpet professionally cleaned on a regular basis.
Preventing and removing soil is the key to maintaining any floor surface. Similar to any surface - soil is abrasive and causes damage to carpet fibers, which results in appearance changes. These appearance changes are commonly referred to as wear, but are actually caused by damage.
How long will my runner last?
In most cases, the answer to this question has to do with your household and the expected use. For instance, use of a staircase in a home that includes young children will be very different from a home where just two adults reside. The appearance of the runner and your expectations for it are the real questions rather than physical wear. The most significant issue affecting appearance is maintenance. We will be able to suggest products that fit your household needs and your budget best. Customers who have purchased runners from us have provided positive feedback several years after installation.
How is a stair runner installed?
The runner is installed over dense pad, with very small, well-hidden staples. This keeps the carpet from having movement, which is not only safer, but also better for the carpet itself. Carpet that has movement does not perform as well and may pose a safety risk.
The amount of time it takes to complete the installation itself depends on the staircase or hallway. For the majority of our installations, it ranges from about two hours for a standard straight staircase, to four to six hours for a single landing staircase. The more complicated installations are often completed in less than a day. (This would usually be accomplished by some off-sight fabrication prior to installation.)If your installation includes more than one staircase or extensive hallway work or custom work, actual installation and fabrication time will vary.
How does the runner end on a staircase? Please Click Here for information and photos.
How does the runner end on a landing, floor or hall? When ending a runner on one of these horizontal surfaces, the runner needs and end finish: Please Click Here To Learn About End Finishes including photos.
Do you carry decorative stair hardware?
Yes, we have a great selection of Decorative Stair Hardware in many styles and finishes. Can this hardware be used for installation? No, these products are not intended for installation, but without question will add beauty to your runner. You can find Decorative Stair Hardware products HERE.
How long does it take to complete a runner project?
Most runners arive within a few weeks of your order - if the material should turn out to be on back-order we will notifiy you shorty after your order is placed. The amount of time it takes to complete a runner order will depend first on the runner material availability, then by whether there are end finished or custom work required and finally by your location/shipping time.
Do you carry area rugs to coordinate with the stair runners?
Yes, some of the stair runner products we carry are part of a coordinating rug collection. Please inquire with regard to the specific product you're interested in and we'll be happy to discuss the options available for a rug. These options vary from one product to another and by the size of the rug you might like.
Houzz Ideabook or Pinterest Board: You can save samples to a Houzz Idea book or Pinterest board. This is an easy way to keep track of your favorite runners samples. All runners on this site have a Houzz "Save" button and a Pinterest "Pin It" button on each product page.
If you would like assistance with making sample selections or have other questions, please Click Here to send us an email. OR simply Call Eileen or John 203-888-5566 or toll free: 1-888-590-5566
Can I purchase a stair runner and have it shipped? Yes! May I also have a custom landing shipped? Yes! For customers outside of the Connecticut area, we ship runner material and if needed a custom landing which is ready to be installed by a local carpet installer or for your DIY project Please visit Custom Runner Services to define your project and see the types of custom runner work we ship OR - Please Inquire.
Do you offer installation services? Yes, we offer installation in western Connecticut and may travel a bit more distance for some larger projects. We handle these projects on a case by case basis - Please Inquire.
Do you ship outside of the U.S.? We do not typically ship outside of the U.S. When we have - we have only done so when the customer has taken full responsibility for the shipping arrangements. In other words, you would have to make arrangements with a shipper here in the U.S. to whom we can hand off the package. We would hand the package in good condition, documented with photos and require a signature to that affect when doing so. You would be responsible for all shipping costs, taxes/duties/fees. Any damage claim or other shipping concerns would then be resolved between you and your shipping provider, and would not involve us.
Please inquire with specific questions for your project: Click here to contact us via email or phone 203-888-5566 or 1-888-590-5566.
