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The Expert’s Guide: How to Measure for Your Custom Stair Runner
At AJ Rose Carpets & Flooring, we’ve spent decades transforming staircases into architectural masterpieces across Needham, Lynnfield, Natick, Burlington, and Belmont. While we always recommend a professional measurement for your final order to ensure every turn and landing is accounted for, many homeowners like to get a “ballpark” estimate before visiting our showrooms.
Measuring for a runner is more complex than measuring a flat room. It requires a bit of geometry and an eye for detail. Here is how you can measure your stairs like a pro.
How to Measure for Your Custom Stair Runner
1. The Basic Formula: Treads and Risers
A standard staircase consists of a series of “Treads” (the flat part you step on) and “Risers” (the vertical part). To calculate the total length of carpet you need, you first have to measure these two components.
The Tread: Measure from the back of the step to the front edge (the “nose”).
The Riser: Measure from the top of one step down to the surface of the step below.
The Calculation: Add the Tread and Riser measurements together (a typical set is roughly 18 to 20 inches) and multiply by the number of steps.
AJ Rose Expert Tip: Don’t forget the “Nose”! If you are choosing a Hollywood Style installation (where the carpet wraps tightly around the front edge), add an extra inch per step to account for that wrap-around coverage.
2. Determining Your Width
The width of your runner is a design choice. In the grand entryways of Needham and Belmont, we typically see “reveals”—the amount of hardwood showing on either side of the carpet—ranging from 3 to 5 inches.
Standard Widths: Most pre-made runners come in 27-inch or 30-inch widths.
Custom Fabrication: Because AJ Rose specializes in custom runners, we can cut any broadloom carpet to the exact width your staircase requires. If you have an extra-wide staircase in Lynnfield, a standard 27-inch runner might look too thin; we can custom-fabricate a 33-inch or 36-inch runner to maintain the perfect proportions.
3. Accounting for Landings and Winders
This is where DIY measuring often goes wrong. If your staircase isn’t a straight shot, you must account for the extra material needed for landings and “winders” (the pie-shaped steps that turn a corner).
Landings: Treat a landing like one giant tread. Measure the length and width, but add an extra 6 to 9 inches for “waste” and pattern matching.
Winders: Measure the widest part of the pie-shaped step (the outer edge). Even though the inner edge is narrow, the carpet must be cut from a square piece that covers the widest point.
[Image: Diagram showing how to measure the “outer arc” of a winder step]
4. Don’t Forget the “Waste” Factor
Even the most precise measurement needs a safety net. At AJ Rose, we always add a 10% to 15% waste factor to any custom runner order. This ensures that our installers have enough material to perfectly align patterns—especially important for herringbones or stripes—and to wrap the carpet around the top and bottom plates for a seamless finish.
Summary Checklist for Your Showroom Visit:
Before you head to our Natick or Burlington locations, jot down these four numbers:
Number of steps.
Depth of the tread and height of the riser.
The total width of your staircase.
Number of landings or turning steps.
Precision is Our Profession. Contact AJ Rose Carpets & Flooring Today
While these steps will give you a great starting point for your budget, the nuances of custom fabrication—like mitered corners on landings or hand-serged edges—require an expert touch. At AJ Rose Carpets & Flooring, we provide professional on-site measuring to guarantee that your custom runner fits like a glove.
Ready to start your staircase transformation? Visit our new Belmont location or any of our established showrooms today!
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