Blog > Step it up: A guide to the best flooring for stairs

Best Flooring for Stairs: A Complete Guide for Rapid City Homeowners (2026)

• Updated: February 23rd, 2026
• Author: Altimate Flooring team

Your staircase is one of the most used areas in your home, and it shows.

Whether you are replacing worn carpet, refreshing dated hardwood, or starting from scratch in a new build, choosing the best flooring for stairs is a decision that affects both the look and safety of your home for years to come.

At Altimate Flooring, we have been helping Rapid City, SD homeowners make smart flooring decisions for over 35 years.

We put together this guide to walk you through all your options, from carpet to hardwood to luxury vinyl.

If you want expert advice for your specific staircase, contact us or stop by our showroom at 1221 Oregon St, Rapid City, SD 57701.

Why Choosing Stair Flooring Is Different from Any Other Room

Stairs take a beating that most floors never see. Every step puts direct, concentrated pressure on the nose of each tread. Traffic is constant and unavoidable. Add pets, kids, and the occasional move of heavy furniture, and you have one of the most demanding flooring environments in any home.

That means the same product that works perfectly in your living room may not be the right call for your staircase. You need to think about three things above all else: safety, durability, and maintenance. Get those right, and the style decisions become a lot more enjoyable.

Safety First

Hard surfaces like hardwood, laminate, and tile can be slippery underfoot, especially with socks on. If your household includes young kids, older adults, or pets, traction matters. Look for flooring with textured finishes, add non-slip stair treads, or choose carpet, which naturally provides grip and a softer landing if someone does take a tumble.

Durability

Stairs are one of the highest-traffic areas in any home. Whatever you put on them needs to handle that daily wear without showing it. Hardwood and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) consistently come out on top for durability. Carpet is durable too, but it tends to show wear in the middle of each tread over time, especially in busy households.

Maintenance

Hard surfaces like hardwood, LVP, and laminate are easier to keep clean since you can sweep or mop without much fuss. Carpet on stairs traps dust, pet hair, and debris in the pile and takes more effort to maintain well. That said, stain-resistant carpet options have come a long way, and for many families the comfort trade-off is worth it.

The Best Flooring Options for Stairs

At Altimate Flooring, we carry products from top brands including Mohawk, Mannington, MSI, and more, so you have no shortage of quality options to choose from. Here is a breakdown of the four main materials used for stair flooring, and what each one does well.

You can also explore our full range of flooring services to learn how we handle installation from start to finish.

Hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl, and carpet are the primary materials to choose from when selecting the ideal flooring for stairs.

1. Hardwood: Classic, Durable, and Timeless

Hardwood remains one of the most popular choices for staircases. It looks incredible, adds real value to your home, and when properly maintained it can last for decades. Oak is the go-to species for stairs because of its hardness and wide availability of stains and finishes, but hickory, maple, and walnut are all excellent options depending on the look you are going for. You can read more about species and finish options on our hardwood flooring page.

The main consideration with hardwood on stairs is safety. A smooth, finished hardwood tread can be slippery, particularly for pets and older adults. Adding non-slip stair treads, applying a textured finish, or laying a runner down the center of the staircase are all practical solutions that do not compromise the look.

Hardwood on stairs is also an investment. Installation requires precise cutting and fitting at each tread and riser, which takes more labor than a standard floor install. However, solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times, so the lifetime cost is competitive with replacing other materials down the road.

• Best for: Homeowners who want a premium, long-lasting look with high resale value
• Watch out for: Slipperiness on smooth finishes; add treads or a runner for safety
• Lifespan: 50 to 100+ years with proper maintenance and refinishing

2. Carpet: Comfortable, Safe, and Budget-Friendly

Carpet is still the most common stair flooring choice for family homes in Rapid City, and it is easy to see why. It is soft underfoot, reduces noise significantly, and provides natural traction that hard surfaces cannot match. For homes with young children, elderly residents, or pets, carpet on stairs adds a meaningful safety margin.

Browse our carpet options or check out our carpet catalog to see available styles.

For stair carpet specifically, low-pile options work better than plush or high-pile styles. Low-pile is easier to clean, holds its shape longer on the nose of each tread, and does not collect pet hair as aggressively. Nylon and wool are the top fiber choices for durability. Mohawk's SmartStrand carpet is a great option for stairs thanks to its built-in stain resistance and long-lasting softness.

One popular approach is the stair runner, which is a carpet strip installed down the center of each step while leaving the edges of the hardwood or painted wood tread exposed on either side. It gives you the traction and warmth of carpet while showing off the natural beauty of the wood underneath.

For color and style inspiration, check out our guide on best carpet colors for room ambiance and our roundup of top bedroom carpet trends.

• Best for: Families with kids, pets, or elderly household members; anyone prioritizing comfort and noise reduction
• Watch out for: Higher maintenance needs; mid-tread wear over time in busy households
• Lifespan: 10 to 15 years depending on traffic and fiber quality

3. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): Resilient, Waterproof, and Practical

Luxury vinyl plank has become one of the fastest-growing stair flooring choices over the last several years, and for good reason. It is waterproof, scratch-resistant, comfortable underfoot, and comes in a huge range of wood and stone looks that are hard to distinguish from the real thing.

Browse our luxury vinyl catalog to see the range of styles available.

LVP is a particularly smart choice if you want the look of hardwood on your stairs but are concerned about moisture, pets, or heavy use. It is significantly more resistant to denting and scratching than wood, and spills clean up quickly without any risk of damage. For homes with dogs that run up and down the stairs all day, LVP can outlast hardwood in terms of surface appearance.

The main thing to plan for with LVP on stairs is proper installation. Each tread needs stair nose molding for a clean, safe finished edge, and the planks need to be secured properly so they do not shift under foot traffic. Our professional installation team handles all of this as part of our standard stair flooring service.

• Best for: Pet owners, high-traffic households, anyone wanting the wood look with added durability
• Watch out for: Requires proper stair nose molding and secure adhesion for safety
• Lifespan: 20 to 25 years with normal use

4. Laminate: Affordable Style with Some Trade-Offs

Laminate is an affordable option that mimics the look of hardwood at a lower price point. It is a reasonable choice for staircases when budget is a primary concern, but it does come with some limitations worth knowing upfront.

Laminate is harder and less flexible than LVP, which can make it more prone to chipping on the edges of stair treads over time. It also tends to be more slippery than other options, so non-slip treads are strongly recommended if you go this route. On the positive side, laminate is easy to clean, comes in a wide range of wood-look styles, and holds up well in moderate-traffic situations.

If you are choosing between laminate, LVP for stairs or tile, we generally recommend LVP. The waterproofing, flexibility, and longer lifespan make it a better fit for the demands of stair use, and the price difference is often less than homeowners expect.

• Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners who want a wood look and are willing to add non-slip treads
• Watch out for: Edge chipping over time; slippery surface requires extra safety measures
• Lifespan: 15 to 25 years depending on traffic and quality of product

From bold, patterned carpeting to minimalist vinyl, today’s design-forward options for flooring elevate both form and function.

Choosing Stair Flooring for Your Specific Household

The best stair flooring for one home may not be the right fit for another. Here is how to think through the decision based on your household situation.

Homes with Pets

Dogs and cats can be tough on stair flooring. Claws scratch hardwood and laminate, and accidents can seep into carpet fibers. For pet households, LVP is our top recommendation for stairs: waterproof, scratch-resistant, and easy to wipe clean. If you prefer carpet, look for products with built-in stain protection like Mohawk's SmartStrand, which resists pet stains at the fiber level.

Homes with Young Children

Safety is the number one concern when kids are in the house. Carpet gives the most forgiving surface if someone slips, and the natural traction reduces the risk of falls in the first place. If you want a hard surface, always add non-slip stair treads on every step. Hardwood with a textured or wire-brushed finish also provides better grip than a high-gloss smooth surface.

Homes with Older Adults

The same safety logic applies for older adults. Carpet or a hard surface with secure non-slip treads are both viable. The key is making sure the surface does not shift, is well-lit, and has good contrast between the tread and riser so each step is clearly visible.

High-Traffic or Commercial Spaces

For commercial buildings or rental properties where stairs see very heavy use, durability takes priority over everything else. Commercial-grade LVP or hardwood with a tough finish are both strong choices.

Altimate Flooring also offers commercial flooring services for businesses and property owners throughout the Rapid City area.

Trending Stair Flooring Styles for 2026

If you want your staircase to feel current as well as functional, here are the styles getting the most attention right now.

• Carpet runners on hardwood: A classic look that is having a major resurgence. Wide, patterned runners on white oak or natural wood treads are showing up everywhere in design-forward homes.
• Wide plank hardwood treads: Wider treads (5 inches and up) give staircases a more open, architectural feel and work especially well in modern or farmhouse-style homes.
• Mixed materials: Combining wood treads with painted or tiled risers creates contrast and a custom, high-end appearance without necessarily a high-end budget.
• Matte and wire-brushed finishes: Glossy hardwood on stairs is giving way to matte and textured finishes that hide scratches better and feel less slippery underfoot.
• Neutral LVP in wood tones: For a seamless flow from the main floor to the upper level, matching LVP stair treads to the main floor planks keeps the look clean and cohesive.

One thing worth keeping in mind: trends come and go, but your staircase is a long-term commitment. Choose a style you genuinely love and that fits the overall feel of your home, and it will look right for years regardless of what is in fashion at any given moment.

How Much Does Stair Flooring Installation Cost?

Stair flooring installation costs more per square foot than standard floor installation because each tread and riser needs to be individually measured, cut, and fitted. Here is a general pricing guide for Rapid City homeowners.

• Carpet on stairs: $200 to $900 for a standard 13-step staircase, depending on carpet quality and labor
• Hardwood stair treads: $100 to $200 per step installed, or roughly $1,300 to $2,600 for a standard staircase
• Luxury vinyl plank on stairs: $50 to $120 per step installed, or roughly $650 to $1,560 for a standard staircase
• Laminate on stairs: $40 to $100 per step installed, or roughly $520 to $1,300 for a standard staircase

These are general ranges and your actual cost will depend on the specific product, the condition of the existing stairs, and any subfloor or prep work needed. Altimate Flooring provides free in-home estimates so you always know what you are working with before committing.

We also offer flexible financing options through the Mohawk Credit Card if you want to spread the cost over time.

Why Rapid City Homeowners Choose Altimate Flooring for Stair Projects

Stair flooring installation is one of the most technical jobs in the flooring industry, and it is not something you want to hand off to someone without experience.

At Altimate Flooring, our installation team has been doing this work in Rapid City since 1990. We know exactly how to fit stair nose moldings, secure LVP on treads, stretch carpet properly around each step, and match new stair flooring seamlessly to your existing floors.

Here is what you get when you work with us:

• Free on-site estimates and design advice
• Take-home samples to see how products look in your actual space
• Professional installation with a workmanship warranty
• Products from Mohawk, Mannington, MSI, and more
• Flexible financing through the Mohawk Credit Card
• Over 35 years of local expertise and Black Hills Home Builders Award for customer service

We serve homeowners throughout Rapid City and surrounding communities including Sturgis, Deadwood, Box Elder, Black Hawk, Summerset, Hermosa, Hill City, Keystone, Ellsworth AFB, Piedmont, and more.

Whether you are replacing worn carpet, upgrading to hardwood, or exploring LVP for the first time, the team at Altimate Flooring is here to help you make the right call.

We are family owned and locally operated, and we have been doing this in Rapid City for over 35 years. We will come to your home, assess your staircase, bring samples, and give you a free estimate with no pressure.

Stop by our showroom at 1221 Oregon St, Rapid City, SD 57701, call us at (605) 307-5106, or fill out our online form to get started. We also serve homeowners across the Black Hills region including Sturgis, Deadwood, Hill City, Box Elder, and beyond.