Hopefully this will answer a few of them for you.
Q: How loud are they without carpet and padding?
A: I have two full staircases.
Staircase #1: Main staircase that leads upstairs to 2 bedrooms, desk area and the new cute bathroom.
These were covered with orange carpeting when we moved in. I ripped that out and we lived with them bare for a long time. Sound was a mini-issue. Not major but because it is the main stairway we did later put a runner in. It's mainly what you prefer. Soft on your feet?
To fix up these stairs we: Replaced the treads (50 yrs of wear from the previous owners). I painted the risers white and the treads black. The paint held up well but to curb the loudness factor we did put a carpet runner in. (we did this before I had the blog- I will post a pic here as soon as I take one.)
Staircase #2: The newly painted basement stairs. Sound is not issue as it heads down to the basement and isn't heard from the living room or bedrooms.
Q: Are the painted stairs safe with socks? Any slipping and/or sliding going up or down?
A: Both staircases have been just fine without socks. When we moved in the kids were 2, 3 and 5 - then we had another. So toddlers have been on them. The basement stairs have a bit more wood grain on them and are more textured - since they are an older make of tread.
Q: How long did the painting take you?
A: Doing the full basement stairs took one weekend. This included painting the ceiling and walls and the painting of the numbers. How I did it so you can walk up and down and a time frame can be seen
on this post.
Q: Does it chip?
A: Both staircases are holding up really well. Neither has chipped and our family of 6 uses them.
Q: Are they easy to clean?
A: They are very easy to clean. And easy sweep with a broom for dust, then I use a Swiffer.
Even the kids like to Swiffer- thank goodness.
