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-   -   Runners and stair rods ... (https://www.diybanter.com/uk-diy/78295-runners-stair-rods.html)

Martin Pentreath November 23rd 04 01:45 AM

Runners and stair rods ...
 
.... and whiskers on kittens.

Errrr, sorry, came over all Julie Andrews for a minute, one cup of tea
too many.

I'm planning the refurb of my hallway and staircase, which looks like
being a lot of work - I've just been reading archived threads on
stripping multiple layers of paint from staircases, and it doesn't
sound like fun. Anyway, to take my mind off the hard work I thought
I'd check out the possibility of having a runner on the staircase,
held in place by stair rods. Any advice on this course of action?

Google reveals a few online suppliers of reproduction stair rods and
there also seem to be a lot of antique ones available on Ebay. On one
of the websites it strongly recommends that the the stair rods be used
decoratively only, and that the runner be fixed in place some other
way (presumably the usual gripper system). This seems a shame somehow.
I rather liked the idea of them actually being functional. Surely in
ye olden dayes stair rods were intended as the sole means of holding
the carpet down? Also by not having the carpet fixed in any other way
it would be easier to move the runner up a notch every so often to
spread the wear. Any thoughts on/experience of this?

Owain November 23rd 04 03:47 PM

"Martin Pentreath" wrote
| ... and whiskers on kittens.

B*ST*RD!!!

I have a streaming cold and was eating lunch when I read that. I now have a
plate of snotty sandwiches and a snotty crumby keyboard.

| I rather liked the idea of them actually being functional. Surely in
| ye olden dayes stair rods were intended as the sole means of holding
| the carpet down?

Yes.

| Also by not having the carpet fixed in any other way it would be easier
| to move the runner up a notch every so often to spread the wear.
| Any thoughts on/experience of this?

Yes. Much easier and much less damaging to the carpet to move the runner
up/down by a couple of inches every year to equalise the wear than it is
with spikey grippers.

Owain



Cicero November 23rd 04 06:11 PM


"Martin Pentreath" wrote in message
om...
... and whiskers on kittens.

Errrr, sorry, came over all Julie Andrews for a minute, one cup of tea
too many.

I'm planning the refurb of my hallway and staircase, which looks like
being a lot of work - I've just been reading archived threads on
stripping multiple layers of paint from staircases, and it doesn't
sound like fun. Anyway, to take my mind off the hard work I thought
I'd check out the possibility of having a runner on the staircase,
held in place by stair rods. Any advice on this course of action?

Google reveals a few online suppliers of reproduction stair rods and
there also seem to be a lot of antique ones available on Ebay. On one
of the websites it strongly recommends that the the stair rods be used
decoratively only, and that the runner be fixed in place some other
way (presumably the usual gripper system). This seems a shame somehow.
I rather liked the idea of them actually being functional. Surely in
ye olden dayes stair rods were intended as the sole means of holding
the carpet down? Also by not having the carpet fixed in any other way
it would be easier to move the runner up a notch every so often to
spread the wear. Any thoughts on/experience of this?


=============
My recollection is that stair rods were usually the only means of attachment
with the possible addition of a few 'blue tacks' top and bottom, but if one
rod came loose the whole runner came loose. You could use heavy duty staples
under each rod for extra security. Staples can be removed without damage to
the carpet using the proper tool (Focus etc) which is a bit like a miniature
wrecking bar / crowbar.

One other thing might cause problems; you'll need a bit of extra length at
the top and / or bottom of the runner to allow for the 2" periodic
adjustment. You will have to find some way of hiding these extra bits when
they're not needed - possibly under the landing carpet. It shouldn't be too
difficult to find a way of doing it but it may cause a bit of a bulge at the
stairhead.

Cic.




N. Thornton November 23rd 04 09:36 PM

"Owain" wrote in message ...
"Martin Pentreath" wrote
| ... and whiskers on kittens.


| I rather liked the idea of them actually being functional. Surely in
| ye olden dayes stair rods were intended as the sole means of holding
| the carpet down?

Yes.


the downside is accidents, stair rods are not 100% secure.

NT


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