Be sure to check with the local building code official or architect/interior
designer familiar with your building regarding possible code requirements
for the carpet to meet certain "Class" or "Flame Spread" ratings.

One caution -- some stairs in houses have treads that are less deep than
those required in a public building.  By carpeting the stair, you may reduce
the effective depth of tread offering real support as the edge of the carpet
where it turns over the stair nosing may not be as firm and brass rods
securing the carpet may also reduce the clear tread surface.  So a carpet
that is relatively dense but thin with a highly flexible backing would be
better -- but consider testing out the installation on two or three treads
first.

If you cannot do a safe carpet solution, I would recommend living with the
wear or, choosing a rubber safety tread attached with the least damaging
adhesive method you can find.  I was once eliminated (as an architect)  from
selection to a jury to decide a lawsuit from a fall on a carpeted stair in
an historic building.  I don't believe the building owner's claim that the
injured visitor was drunk and careless in an historic structure prevailed
over the patron's claim the stair did not meet code.

Ann Trowbridge

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