This post may contain references or links to products from one or more partners of our parent company and/or subsidiaries of our parent company. For more information, visit this page.
November 9, 2021
Have some questions about putting vinyl plank flooring on stairs? We hear you.
Vinyl plank is gorgeous, easy to install, and is among the most durable wood flooring alternatives out there. But: can LVP go on stairs? Do all types of vinyl plank work? And how do you even install vinyl plank on stairs, especially if you have floating floors?
Worry not: we’ve looked into it for you and are happy to answer all of your questions.
Below, we’ll explain the different types of vinyl plank flooring (and which are suitable for staircases). We’ll go into the specialized pieces you’ll need, answer some commonly asked questions, and even discuss some alternative types of flooring you can use for your stairs if vinyl isn’t a fit.
Finally, we’ll toss in a how-to guide for installing vinyl plank flooring on stairs for the DIY crowd.
So: ready for your introduction to vinyl plank flooring on stairs? Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Before we talk about putting vinyl plank flooring on stairs, let’s go over the basics. And yes—this is going to directly impact whether or not you can put your desired LVP on stairs, so we want to be super clear!
Vinyl plank—sometimes known as “luxury vinyl plank” (aka LVP) or “luxury vinyl tile” (aka LVT) is a type of PVC flooring—meaning it’s made primarily of plastic. It’s most often sold as a fake wood flooring choice, though tile-look formats aren’t uncommon.
You get the best of all worlds with vinyl plank flooring. It’s waterproof, it’s durable, and it can mimic all types of wood flooring, in addition to mimicking porcelain and stone tile. These days, the best vinyl plank flooring brands do an astounding job imitating almost every hardwood species or type of tile you might want.
What’s the difference between LVP (luxury vinyl plank) and LVT (luxury vinyl tile)? Well… nothing, really.
“LVT” was the original term for this type of flooring, and many people still use it as a catch-all. These days, though, many flooring experts use “LVT” to describe luxury vinyl flooring that’s cut and patterned to look like tile, while “LVP” is cut and patterned to look like wood.
Some even go so far as to call loose-lay vinyl plank flooring (which generally has a flexible rather than rigid core) “LVT”, but… well, it’s complicated.
The point is this: LVP and LVT are basically the same thing. The problems with luxury vinyl tile are identical to the disadvantages of vinyl plank flooring. And for our purposes, we’ll be using “LVP” or “vinyl plank” as our catch-all term (hence the vinyl plank flooring on stairs title).
Just remember: LVT and LVP are not the same as vinyl sheet, which you’ve probably seen in every kitchen or bathroom from the second half of the 20th century. While vinyl sheet is water-resistant, it’s not as durable as vinyl plank.
When it comes to putting vinyl plank flooring on stairs, one of the most important differences between different LVP products is the core layer. This will affect so much of a floor’s feel and performance, including how it performs on stairs.
LVP cores can be either flexible or rigid, though rigid core luxury vinyl flooring is the most popular these days.
Also known as EVP (engineered vinyl plank) flooring, rigid LVP is generally sold with one of three main core varieties:
Wood flooring costs can feel sky-high at times. The cost to install vinyl plank flooring is conspicuously lower, even if you’re installing it in a more difficult area like stairs.
Of course, these costs will highly depend on which brand you choose. If you want the absolute best LVP flooring you can buy (or at least a “super-luxury” product like Karndean vinyl plank flooring), you’ll be paying way more than you would for a budget product like Home Depot’s LifeProof vinyl flooring or Floor & Decor’s NuCore flooring.
And if you go with an “ultra-budget” brand like Lumber Liquidators’ CoreLuxe flooring or worse, StainMaster luxury vinyl, your costs are going to be even lower. But: you will be replacing your floors a lot sooner.
Ok! Now that we’ve gone over the basics, let’s talk about vinyl plank flooring on stairs.
And to answer the first (and biggest question), yes—you absolutely can install vinyl plank flooring on your stairs!
In fact, putting vinyl plank on your stairs is a very practical choice—it’s strong, it can take a lot of foot traffic, etc. And in a high-traffic area, like stairs, every little bit of extra help is essential.
You probably know this already, but vinyl plank (rather than vinyl sheet), is better for stairs. That’s because you can install it just like you would install wood planks, while vinyl sheet needs to be glued down in one giant piece (which is almost impossible on stairs).
Now: as far as the best vinyl plank flooring for stairs, you’re going to want to consider two things:
The best vinyl flooring for your stairs is usually going to have a thicker wear layer, since you’ll want something that can handle a lot of foot traffic. But remember: not all wear layers are created equal. Take a look at our vinyl plank flooring reviews to see how different brands stack up in this regard.
As far as cores are concerned: WPC-core products are great for stairs since they offer a bit more cushioning than other LVPs (so they’re easier on your joints).
If you’ve read our COREtec flooring reviews, you’ll know this brand is the inventor (and still the poster child) for WPC—but they’re far from the only manufacture. These days, even Lowes’ in-house SmartCore flooring is offered in a WPC variety.
However, if your floors see a lot of traffic (we’re talking about kids and pets running up and down for years and years), you might consider using an SPC flooring product for your staircase instead. SPC cores are even more robust than their WPC siblings.
We’ve established that you can put vinyl plank flooring on stairs—but is it well-suited for staircases?
Yep.
That’s really the end of that question, but we’d go a step further. Not only is vinyl plank suitable for your stairs, but we’d actually recommend it.
If you have vinyl flooring already, adding it to your stairs helps to create a matching, smooth flow throughout your house.
Vinyl plank is easy to install, but it must be done properly—especially on stairs. Poor installations can create a risk of the planks coming loose or uneven. And this can be a cause concern on a staircase, where you don’t want any increased risk of somebody tripping.
The best way to be sure that your vinyl planks are secure is by gluing them down. We want to be super clear here—regardless of whether you’re installing floating vinyl plank flooring or a glue-down variety, you always need to glue down vinyl plank on stairs.
Luckily, even if you’re using a click-together flooring product, this is no issue—manufacturers make special, matching pieces specifically for this purpose.
Before we begin, let’s define the anatomy of the stairs.
Now: as we mentioned, most of the best vinyl plank flooring brands sell matching specialty pieces—different types of molding, transitions, and the like.
When it comes to putting vinyl plank on stairs, this is no different; if you’re buying from a quality company, you should have no issues getting matching bullnoses for your project. And you can simply use normal planks as risers and treads! Some companies, like Shaw, even make specialty vinyl treads.
To take things a step further: there are actually different types of vinyl plank stair noses.
Some are square-edged, others round, while still others are only half-rounded. You can even install a bullnose with zero overhang; it only caps the edge of the step to protect the corner.
At the end of the day, it comes down to what aesthetic you like. Some versions are specifically non-slip, so it may be worth looking at those styles first.
It’s no secret that massive shipping delays have caused ongoing supply chain chaos these last couple of years. And unfortunately, flooring dealers aren’t immune to this issue. With the majority of the world’s LVP being produced overseas, things like matching LVP stair nosing have become (in some cases) conspicuously hard to come by.
Luckily, there’s a workaround for this issue. Rather than using LVP noses, you can always use aluminum (and possibly swap for matching when it becomes available).
The tradeoff is style. Aluminum bullnoses create a very industrial look. If that fits your style, or if you aren’t concerned about the appearance of the staircase, aluminum may be a good option for you.
Before we get into our how-to (or discuss all your alternatives to installing vinyl plank on stairs) we want to clear up any remaining questions.
If you have vinyl planks installed on the floor above your staircase, you’ll want to make the transition to the stairs as smooth as possible. The key to a successful shift lies in the molding and nosing.
When transitioning from the floor to the top of the stairs, your top step will need nosing, even though it’s just an extension of the floor. This piece is less about safety and more about creating a uniform look. It’s critical to ensure that the nosing on this area is flush with the vinyl planks. Otherwise, people are likely to trip and fall down the stairs.
You’ll want to ensure that your vinyl planks are just about as secure as Fort Knox. Since you’ll be relying on glue-down vinyl plank flooring, it’s best to have a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
This means that it requires pressure for the bonding process to activate. Most other adhesives require either heat, water, or some solvent. However, if the adhesive relies on force, it will create a stronger bond. Talk with your installer about the best way to achieve this!
Whether your stairs and your floor match is entirely up to you. You need to decide what look you’re going for before you choose. You can have lots of fun mixing and matching your floors and your stairs.
Matching your stairs and your floor will give you a uniform look. If you are aiming for one particular aesthetic throughout your whole house, then having your stairs and floor precisely the same is probably your best approach.
On the other hand, you can create a unique look if you use a mash-up of different floors and stairs. It presents an excellent opportunity to play with wood floor patterns as well as wood floor colors.
And who knows? Maybe wood floor designs aren’t your thing at all, and you’d rather have tile-look vinyl plank on your stairs. It’s all up to you!
No more than any other hard-surface flooring!
One of the reasons we love LVP so much is because all vinyl flooring is waterproof vinyl flooring. But: while this quality makes vinyl plank some of the best flooring for dogs (and for mudroom flooring, and even as an outdoor flooring option), it can also make certain vinyl products a touch slippery.
However, this isn’t a vinyl problem per se. The same is true with waterproof hardwood flooring and waterproof laminate flooring—and even normal hardwood and laminate. Luckily, you have 2 easy solutions here:
It really is easy as that. Voila: no more slippery stairs!
The short answer: yes, absolutely. Really, this is just a stylistic question. If you don’t like the look of having more than one plank per stair tread (as you would have to with narrow-width planks), you can always opt for a wide-plank wood flooring look instead.
You can absolutely use peel and stick vinyl plank flooring on your stairs! Remember, though: peel and stick vinyl planks aren’t generally meant for long-term use—especially in a high-traffic area like stairs.
Also, if you opt for this installation style, keep in mind that you need a perfect subfloor underneath. If there are any imperfections, they’ll be obvious under these planks. A special underlayment for vinyl flooring may help camouflage these flaws, but again: peel and stick planks are not generally meant for any real amount of traffic.
Considering all the traffic that stairs see every day, they can get pretty dirty. If you need to clean the stairs frequently, vinyl is probably the better option.
However: it all comes down to your individual needs. Carpet is more comfortable than vinyl, and if safety is your priority (when it comes to slip-and-falls), it might be the smarter choice for your stairs.
If you want to take a deep dive into the pros and cons of carpet vs. hard surfaces, we’d recommend reading our carpet vs. hardwood and carpet vs. laminate write-ups. They’ll give you all the info you need!
Pro tip: you can always put vinyl plank flooring on stairs and cover the treads with peel-and-stick carpet tiles if you want the best of both worlds! And if you’re wondering how to install carpet tiles, it’s just like the name implies—so it really couldn’t be any easier.
Vinyl is made of plastic, which is not generally an environmentally-friendly choice. Luckily, as low-VOC flooring has increasingly become a priority for many homeowners, more and more low-VOC vinyl flooring options have become available.
The short answer here: most LVP brands are more than eco-friendly enough to use on stairs—just make sure you’re buying brands that have Greenguard or FloorScore certifications. Proximity Mills, for example, makes some FloorScore-certified zero-VOC vinyl plank options.
It’s up to you! You can choose to leave the riser uncovered if you like. It’s a popular look to just paint the riser a different color. Both methods can look amazing; the choice is yours.
How can you be sure you’re ready to install vinyl plank on your steps? Why it only takes a few simple steps!
Steps to cover steps? Get it?
Ahem. We’ll move on.
Anyway: it might feel like you’re facing a daunting challenge to get your vinyl planks installed on your stairs, but hang in there. It’s truly quite manageable once you get into the swing of it.
Vinyl plank is some of the easiest flooring to install, even if you’re putting it on stairs. There are no grains to worry about, no carpets to be stretched, nothing at all. It’s miles easier than DIY wood floors or… well, most things, really. When it comes to DIY flooring, you really can’t beat vinyl.
Before starting, make sure you have all the tools you’ll need. Some suggestions are:
And a clean subfloor is imperative!
Now you’re ready to begin.
Before you even make any cuts to your vinyl planks, measure the height and length of the stair riser. Now measure again.
Yes, always measure at least twice and cut once. It’s a tired saying, sure, but that doesn’t make it any less accurate. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and material if you double-check all your work.
Cut the vinyl plank to fit your measurements. Then, hold it up against the riser to ensure it’s the proper size.
Spread adhesive on the back of the plank, then press it firmly against the riser, following all the adhesive directions. If you feel more secure adding nails or screws in the corners, it’s ok to do so on the risers.
Next, move on to the stair tread. The tread is the part where your foot lands when you walk up and down the steps.
Using the same methodical process you did for the riser, measure, and re-measure the tread. If your vinyl plank doesn’t include an attached nosing, test the length of that separate piece by holding it up against the step. Your vinyl plank should lay flush against the nosing, so factor that adjustment into your measurements.
Trim the plank and nosing to the correct length you’ll need. If you need to use more than one piece of vinyl plank flooring for the width of the tread, perhaps trim two pieces to have them each the same width down the middle of the tread.
Pro tip: there may be small differences between tread sizes. Take your time and measure each tread individually, or you could wind up with big gaps down the road.
Before you add any adhesive, give your step a dry test run. Line each piece up in its place. If it all fits nicely together, with no overlap or gapping, you are ready to move on.
Apply the adhesive to the plank, making an S shape, and firmly hold it down on the tread. You can use screws or nails in the corners where they are out of the way for a little extra security to hold the plank in place.
Apply glue to the back of the nosing and gently put it in place along the edge of the stair. Again, be very sure that it lies flush against the plank.
For a stronger bond, sand the underside of the nosing before adding the glue. This will give the step and the glue more surface to hold on to.
Repeat all these steps to complete your steps. (Sorry! We can’t stop!)
Before you settle on LVP, you might want to know what other options you have. As much as we love vinyl plank flooring on stairs, there are so many different types of flooring to consider that perhaps something else will better fit your needs!
If vinyl plank flooring attracts you because of its durability, bamboo is an excellent alternative. The best bamboo flooring will last you an eternity. (OK, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. But certainly, it can last a lifetime!)
What does bamboo offer that vinyl plank flooring doesn’t? For starters, it’s a more environmentally-friendly flooring choice (as long as it’s sustainably harvested). On top of that, you can refinish bamboo flooring, which isn’t possible with vinyl. This can expand the life of your stairs even longer and prevent the need to replace them if damage does occur.
If waterproof stairs are important to you, tile is another fantastic option. And just like vinyl plank, tile is very, very strong and scratch-resistant. They share a lot of attractive qualities.
There are many different types of tile, so you can play with all sorts of design ideas. However, if you have your heart set on a wood look for your stairs, you can even install wood-look tile. You’ll get the same appearance and quality that vinyl plank flooring provides.
The biggest downsides, though? Installation is no walk in the park, and tile can be very slippery. Our advice? If you’re going with tile (rather than vinyl plank) on stairs, make sure it has a high coefficient of friction rating to prevent slips.
Cork flooring doesn’t share a lot of qualities with vinyl plank flooring. It’s different in practically every way, except one: beauty.
One of the significant differences between cork and vinyl is that cork is a sustainable wood flooring product. It doesn’t harm the environment, so you can feel good about covering your floors with cork. In fact, cork isn’t actually wood per se—it’s actually made of sustainably-harvested tree bark!
The best cork flooring is much stronger than you may expect from this material. It can take some decently heavy traffic, so cork can work very well on stairs if you treat the area with care. But best of all, it’s incredibly comfortable to walk on. So if aching joints are an issue for you, cork might be a great option.
But: if you look into the pros and cons of cork flooring, you’ll also see that cork requires a lot of maintenance. Trade-offs!
Hardwood floors are the apex in flooring. They’re beautiful, long-lasting… and expensive.
That said, while the best hardwood floors will set you back, remember: there’s a huge difference between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood.
What is engineered hardwood? It’s a high-performance type of wood that mixes a robust plywood core with a real, solid wood veneer. It’s generally sold as prefinished hardwood flooring (rather than being finished on-site), which gives it an incredibly durable, UV-cured factory finish that can rival vinyl’s scratch resistance.
And since the cost to install engineered hardwood isn’t much more than the cost to install vinyl, the price difference largely comes down to materials alone. So while the best engineered wood flooring brands will definitely be more expensive overall, they’ll perform similarly to vinyl plank flooring on stairs—and they might just last longer, too.
If you compare laminate vs. vinyl plank, you might not see a heck of a lot of difference. So then, what is laminate flooring, and what makes it different from vinyl? And how does it perform on stairs? We’re happy you asked!
The main difference between laminate and vinyl is the material they’re made of. While vinyl is all plastic, laminate has a core made of fiberboard or plywood. They both have an image on top, sealed off with a transparent protective layer, but these images are slightly different. Laminate uses an actual photo layer, while vinyl has a pressed-in design.
The cost to install laminate flooring is nearly exactly the same as it is for vinyl because they install in more or less the same way. That being said, pricing will vary depending on which product you choose. High-end options such as Shaw laminate flooring are pricier than budget brands like Costco laminate flooring or Home Depot’s TrafficMaster flooring.
As is usually the case, Mohawk makes some of the best laminate flooring around. You can even get some Mohawk laminate flooring products (specifically their RevWood line) that are entirely waterproof.
When it comes to laminate vs. vinyl plank on stairs, though, this one’s a pretty even toss-up. Both products bring a ton to the table and are categorized as “resilient flooring”—so the choice is yours!
Fun fact: Mohawk also owns Pergo, who makes a number of popular floors. Reviews for Pergo Extreme (the company’s LVP line) are largely positive, as are Pergo TimberCraft reviews and Pergo Outlast reviews (these latter two being laminate).
As you can see, vinyl plank flooring on stairs can be a wonderful addition to your home! The benefits of your vinyl flooring don’t need to end at the staircase. Vinyl plank stairs can seem right at home on any staircase in your house, whether it’s in your entrance hall, leading to your basement, or up to the bedrooms.
If you are ready to get started on this project or have other flooring ideas you’d like to discuss, let us help you find a top-of-the-line flooring store near you! After all, the best flooring is the one that fits your needs—so get some advice from the pros!
We hope this article answered all your questions. For some other great flooring topics, check out some of our other articles below. And as always, good luck on your flooring journey!
This post may contain references or links to products from one or more partners of our parent company and/or subsidiaries of our parent company. For more information, visit this page. Updated 9/20/23 Want to give your laundry room an upgrade and looking for the best laundry room flooring? You’re in the right place! Laundry rooms see […]
The kitchen is still the heart of the home, and LVP flooring remains one of the best options for kitchen flooring. Let’s discuss the benefits, top brands to consider, and features to look for in the best vinyl plank flooring for kitchens.
It’s a serious question: can vinyl plank flooring go in a bathroom? We hear you, we have your back, and we’re not wasting any time! Below we’re explaining all the pros and cons of using LVP in a bathroom, going over a few of the best vinyl plank flooring brands, and to wrap things up, answering any and all lingering questions!
The best write up I have seen about this subject. Thanks!
Thanks for reading!
Should you use vinyl with or without attached underlayment?
Hi there, the answer is a very unsatisfying “it depends”. For each individual project, the answer might be different. We recommend reaching out to your local flooring store to get an expert’s opinion. Thanks for reading!
Hello, I just had vinyl plank flooring installed on my stairs. They used one plank and a bullnose piece. I used a Shaw product. The bullnose piece did not match exactly, the colors are way off. I found out from Shaw they used a coordinating bullnose, not an exact match. I wish I would have known this before the install. But my main issue is that they used nails from a nail gun all along the front of the bullnose. The nail holes looks absolutely terrible. I would love to send you a picture. Anyway, I told the installer that I was not happy with the installation and the nail holes look terrible. I was told that is how it is suppose to be done. I called Shaw and they said the bullnose is to be glued down and not nailed. Can you please give me your recommendation regarding this issue.
Great article that lays an excellent foundation for consumers and professionals! There are a lot of varied opinions and confusion on this subject. Excellent info.