Noisy wooden stairs

[5MUG]

We are soon to start some building works. One part is a set of open stairs up to the attic rooms. At the moment there is a wooden ladder which will be replaced by the new set of stairs. The architect has drawn in open stairs as room is tight and the stairs are steepish and narrowish so he has suggested that we open them up to give the feel of space/air. I agree with his reason but it means that they will be noisy and they would look odd carpeted.

Has anyone got any suggestions? I did think of rubber/plastic strips on the tread part of the stair (does that make sense?)

[Sam_68]

There are certainly plenty of resilient materials that could be used for the treads themselves, but you may also wish to consider some form of resilient isolating pads to isolate the stair from the floors it sits on, to stop structure born (impact) sound being transmitted to the rest of the house, if it's a particular concern to you.

Your Architect chould be able to advise you on both: that's what you're paying him for.

[Pothole]

Lighten your step? I am 17 stone (most of the time) and make less noise going upstairs than most people I know.

[Catz]

We inherited a rather fetching 1070s wooden open stair with our house.

We ended up carpeting it to stop noise, and make it grippier for us (and the dog!)

Anyway here's a pic of how it looks carpeted. I may need to polish and hoover tomorrow.

[Pothole]

Catz said:

We inherited a rather fetching 1070s wooden open stair with our house.

We ended up carpeting it to stop noise, and make it grippier for us (and the dog!)

Anyway here's a pic of how it looks carpeted. I may need to polish and hoover tomorrow.

Wow! Nearly a thousand years old and still looking great.

[Catz]

lol, oops! Slight typo there.

• 1970s

[JABB]

If you can find someone to route half round groves in the treds, you can bond n some round rubber strip. This would give grip, muffle the sound, look cool while keeping the overall timber look

[ShadownINja]

Great for pull ups!!

[Pothole]

better for walk ups

[5MUG]

JABB said:

If you can find someone to route half round groves in the treds, you can bond n some round rubber strip. This would give grip, muffle the sound, look cool while keeping the overall timber look

Thanks JABB, that sounds like a plan.S

[andy43]

Escalator?

[hidetheelephants]

andy43 said:

Escalator?

Not very PH is it though? Sir Stirling has an elevator, but it's best to avoid falling down the shaft.

[andy43]

hidetheelephants said:

andy43 said:

Escalator?

Not very PH is it though? Sir Stirling has an elevator, but it's best to avoid falling down the shaft.

On second thoughts, if the stairs are starting to squeak, keep the elephants off them

[Simpo Two]

JABB said:

If you can find someone to route half round groves in the treds

You are Officer Crabtree AICMFP!

[hidetheelephants]

andy43 said:

hidetheelephants said:

andy43 said:

Escalator?

Not very PH is it though? Sir Stirling has an elevator, but it's best to avoid falling down the shaft.

On second thoughts, if the stairs are starting to squeak, keep the elephants off them

That's likely to be counterproductive; the best way of eliminating elephants is mice, which squeak.