How to measure your 13 steps for ordering carpet stair treads

Let's begin by counting the number of individual stair treads you'll be transforming. A helpful tip: you'll always have one more riser (the vertical part) than treads (the flat part you step on). Now, gather these simple tools to ensure success: a sturdy, rigid tape measure, a carpenter's square for checking angles, a level to make sure your tread is flat, some masking tape, and a pencil.

For each step, place your tape measure firmly against the vertical riser at the back. Extend it straight out over the front edge of the tread, which we call the 'nosing.' It's absolutely critical to keep the tape measure flat against the bare wood surface for an accurate reading. Measuring over old carpet remnants or adhesive will throw off your numbers. Write down the depth for this specific step before moving to the next.

Now, let's measure the width. Stretch your tape measure across the front of the tread, from side to side, keeping it parallel to the back riser. If your stairs are between two walls, measure wall-to-wall. If one side is open, measure from the wall to the open edge. To achieve that beautiful, design-conscious border that showcases your wood, we suggest leaving about 1 inch of space on each side. For example, a 36-inch wide stair looks fantastic with a 34-inch wide tread. This is a key part of what makes the finished project look so polished.

This is where The Oak Valley Difference really shines. Write down the width and depth for each step. If you find some steps are different—which is very common—label them with a small piece of masking tape. This ensures your custom-made treads will be a perfect match. For extra peace of mind, especially with unique staircases, taking a quick photo of each numbered step is a great idea. Remember the carpenter's rule: measure twice, cut once. In our case, it's measure twice for a perfect, custom fit!