Carpet to Hardwood Stairs Markham and Toronto: 2026 Costs
Yes, you can replace carpeted stairs with hardwood, and in the GTA it is usually done by removing the carpet and installing new hardwood treads over or in place of the old ones. At BBS Flooring, new hardwood treads (recapping or carpet-to-hardwood) start from $185/step, so a standard 13-step straight staircase starts around $2,405. The catch is that most carpeted stairs in 2000s-era Markham and Toronto homes were built with pine, plywood or MDF treads that were never meant to be seen. You usually can't just rip up the carpet and stain what's underneath. Final stair pricing is confirmed after a site visit.
How Much Does Carpet to Hardwood Stairs Cost in Markham and Toronto?
Stair work is priced per step, not per square foot, because the labour is in the cutting, fitting and finishing of each tread. These are our current BBS rates:
| Stair Service | BBS Price | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Refinishing existing hardwood steps | From $125/step | Sanding and refinishing treads that are already real hardwood |
| New hardwood treads (recapping / carpet-to-hardwood) | From $185/step | Standard straight steps, new hardwood treads installed |
| Specialty steps | $225/step | Curved steps, landings, open-riser stairs |
| Trim pieces | $25/piece | Finishing and trim details |
Here is what that looks like on real staircases:
- 13 straight steps, new hardwood treads: from about $2,405 (13 × $185)
- 14 straight steps: from about $2,590 (14 × $185)
- 13 steps with curved or open-riser design: about $2,925 (13 × $225)
These are starting points. The number of steps, the condition of the stringers, the risers and the finish you choose all affect the final number, which is why we confirm it on site. Our stairs page shows the full range of stair services. For the rest of the house, the 2026 flooring cost guide for Toronto covers per-sqft pricing.
What Is Under Your Stair Carpet? Check Before You Plan
What is under the carpet decides your whole project. Here is what we typically find:
- Builder-grade pine, plywood or MDF treads: common in homes built from the late 1990s through the 2000s. These can't be stained to look like hardwood. They need new hardwood treads, and that is the $185/step scenario.
- Solid oak or maple treads: more common in older Toronto homes, such as 1950s to 1980s bungalows, semis and two-storeys. If they're in decent shape, refinishing from $125/step is the cheaper route.
- Damaged or heavily stapled treads: carpet staples, pad glue and tack strip holes are normal. Heavy damage or cupping may push you toward replacement.
A quick test is to look at the edge of a tread where the carpet ends at the wall or at the top landing. Visible grain and a thick solid edge suggest hardwood. A thin, layered or paper-looking edge suggests plywood or MDF.
Recapping vs. Replacing vs. Refinishing: Which Is Right?
| Method | Best When | BBS Price | Trade-Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refinish | Existing treads are real hardwood and structurally sound | From $125/step | Only works if the wood is already there and in good condition |
| Recap (new treads over existing) | Treads are solid but not hardwood, such as pine or plywood | From $185/step | Slightly raises step height, which we check against code and comfort |
| Full tread replacement | Treads are damaged, squeaky or uneven | From $185/step | More labour. Specialty steps are $225/step |
Recapping is the most common carpet-to-hardwood job in Markham because the structure of the stairs is usually fine. It's the cosmetic layer that needs to change.
How the Carpet-to-Hardwood Stair Process Works
- Site visit and measurement. We count steps, check for curves and landings, and look at what's under the carpet. You can book through our free measurement page.
- Carpet removal. The carpet, pad, staples and tack strips come off. If you're also removing carpet from landings or hallways, carpet removal is $1.00/sqft for floor areas. We confirm what's included for the staircase in your stair quote.
- Prep and repairs. We fix squeaks and loose treads and clean up any damage before the new wood goes on.
- Tread installation. New hardwood treads are fitted and fastened. Specialty steps need custom cutting.
- Finishing and trim. Stain or finish is applied to match your floors, and trim pieces ($25/piece) are fitted where needed.
Plan on the staircase being unusable while the work is done and the finish cures. If you only have one staircase, that matters, so we plan the sequence with you.
Should Stairs Match Your Floors? Hardwood Options
Most homeowners want the stairs and main floor to feel like one design. If you're redoing both, these are the usual choices:
- Engineered hardwood starts from $3.69/sqft in stock, with sale SKUs from $3.00. It's more dimensionally stable through GTA humidity swings, but it is not waterproof, so keep spills off it.
- Solid hardwood runs $5.10 to $7.25/sqft. It's the traditional choice for stair treads, but it's not suitable for basements and it is not waterproof.
- White oak is a popular pick for a natural, modern look. It takes stain well, which helps when you're matching existing floors.
If you're unsure about the grade of the wood, our grade guide explains how knots, colour variation and mineral streaks change the look.
Hardwood Stairs With Laminate or Vinyl on the Main Floor
Hardwood stairs don't mean hardwood everywhere. A lot of Markham and Toronto homeowners put hardwood treads on the stairs and a tougher, cheaper floor on the main level or upper hall. These are three products from our inventory:
- The Snow Storm 12mm Laminate by Northernest ($2.69/sqft) is a light, neutral laminate that works well against stained hardwood stairs. Regular laminate is water-resistant, not waterproof, and it will swell if water sits on it. Browse our laminate collection.
- The TF SPC 405 Birch by Triforest Flooring ($2.75/sqft) is a 7mm SPC vinyl plank that's 100% waterproof. It suits kitchens, entryways and high-traffic areas next to a staircase.
- The Lakeshore NAF AquaPlus Gold 7mm Vinyl is also 100% waterproof. See the product page for current pricing. More options are in our vinyl category and waterproof flooring page.
Floating vinyl or laminate installation is $2.00/sqft, and removing old vinyl, laminate or hardwood is $1.50/sqft. A budget example: 800 sqft of Birch SPC at $2.75 plus $2.00 installation comes to $3,800, and 13 new hardwood treads start around $2,405. That's about $6,200 for a main floor and staircase refresh, before any extras and subject to final measurement. Check the quote calculator to estimate your own numbers, and see clearance for discounted stock.
One honest note: putting vinyl or laminate on the stairs themselves is a different job from hardwood treads. It involves stair nosing and different detailing, and we price it after seeing the staircase.
Carpet to Hardwood Stairs in the GTA: What's Different Here
- Builder-grade housing stock. Many Markham, Scarborough and North York homes from the 1990s and 2000s have carpeted stairs over pine or MDF. That is why recapping is so common here.
- Older Toronto homes can hide oak. Semis and bungalows from earlier decades sometimes have solid oak treads under carpet, and refinishing at $125/step can be a great saving. Always check first.
- Dry winters and humid summers. GTA freeze-thaw seasons bring big indoor humidity swings. Hardwood expands and contracts, so keeping indoor humidity moderate helps avoid gaps and creaks.
- Townhouses and condos. Stairs in multi-level townhouses transmit noise. For condo installs, we supply the COI, WSIB clearance certificate and IIC/STC underlay spec sheets on request.
- Basement stairs. Concrete slabs hold moisture, and basement stairs often sit near it. We check conditions before recommending hardwood in a basement stairwell.
Our showroom is in Markham, and our own installation crews cover Markham, Toronto and the surrounding GTA. Our installation page explains how we work, and our workmanship is backed by a 2-year warranty (product warranties are the manufacturer's).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to replace carpet with hardwood on stairs in Toronto?
At BBS Flooring, new hardwood treads start from $185/step, so a 13-step straight staircase starts around $2,405. Curved, open-riser or landing steps are $225/step, and refinishing existing hardwood steps starts from $125/step. Final pricing is confirmed at a site visit.
Can you install hardwood directly over carpeted stairs?
No. The carpet, pad, staples and tack strips must be removed first. The hardwood is then installed over the prepared stair structure, either as new treads or as a recap over existing treads.
Can I just refinish the stairs under my carpet?
Only if the treads are real hardwood in good condition. Many GTA homes built since the late 1990s have pine, plywood or MDF under the carpet, which can't be stained to look like hardwood. Refinishing starts from $125/step, and replacement starts from $185/step.
Should my stairs match my hardwood floors?
Not necessarily. Many homeowners match the stain on the stairs to the main floor, while others use a contrasting tone. Solid hardwood, engineered hardwood and white oak are all popular choices for matching or contrasting looks.
Do you do carpet to hardwood stairs in both Markham and Toronto?
Yes. Our showroom is at 6061 Highway 7, Unit B in Markham, and our own crews install across Markham, Toronto and the wider GTA. Book a free in-home measurement and we'll confirm your stair quote on site.
Is hardwood waterproof on stairs?
No. Solid and engineered hardwood are not waterproof, and spills should be wiped up promptly. If you want a waterproof main floor next to your stairs, 100% waterproof vinyl plank is the better fit there.
Get Your Stair Quote
Call us at (647) 428-1111 or visit our Markham showroom at 6061 Highway 7, Unit B, open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm (closed Sunday). To get an exact stair price, book a free in-home measurement, and we'll count the steps, check what's under the carpet and confirm your numbers.