How do I stop the runner from moving at the top?

The runner should be secured with a double row of gripper at the top riser and reinforced with staples or specialized adhesive if necessary.

Should the runner match the landing carpet?

While not essential, matching the material and underlay provides a more cohesive look and prevents height differences.

What is the best way to finish a waterfall runner?

Bring the runner over the top nosing and secure it into the crotch of the landing riser, ensuring it is perfectly level.

Can I use a transition strip?

Yes, a metal or timber threshold strip can hide the junction between different materials and provide a clean finish.

Does the pile direction matter?

Absolutely. The pile should always run down the stairs to prevent premature wear and ensure a smooth feel underfoot.

Installation Guide

Transitioning from Stair Runner to Landing

The transition between a staircase and a landing is one of the most visible and technically demanding parts of any runner installation.

Written by the StairRunner.co editorial team · Updated 4 September 2026

Turning staircase with a carved timber banister and green carpet

The top of the stairs is where the runner either finishes cleanly or looks unfinished. It is also a safety point: the top step is where people step on and off the stairs without looking. This guide covers the common ways to finish a runner at a landing and how to get each right.

The threshold challenge

At the top, the runner meets something else: a bare timber landing, a landing carpet, or a continuation of the same runner. Each needs a different finish. What they share is that the runner must be firmly fixed at the top riser and nosing, because that is where it is most likely to work loose.

Fig.Carrying a runner across a landing. On a turning landing, the runner is mitred at the corner or the landing is covered as a separate piece. Add the full landing run to your length before the waste allowance.

Three ways to finish at the top

Ways to finish a stair runner at the landing
Finish	How it works	Suits
Stop under the top nosing	The runner ends tucked under the top nosing, fixed to the top riser	Bare timber landings
Run onto the landing	The runner wraps over the top nosing and ends a short way onto the landing	Landings with rugs or a separate floor
Continue across the landing	The runner carries on across the landing and up the next flight	Turning stairs and long hallways

Waterfall vs Hollywood finishes

The style used on the stairs carries through to the top. With a waterfall runner, the last length drops from the top nosing to the crease below and the runner ends under the nosing. With a Hollywood runner, the runner is wrapped tightly around the top nosing and fixed beneath it, which gives a crisp edge at the landing. See waterfall vs Hollywood.

Fig.Waterfall versus Hollywood fitting. A waterfall runner drops straight from the nosing to the next tread, leaving a small gap under the nose. A Hollywood (French cap) runner is tucked under the nosing and fixed tight to the riser for a tailored line.

Matching underlay thickness

If the runner continues onto a carpeted landing, the underlay under the landing carpet and the pads on the stairs should be the same thickness, so there is no step at the junction. A small change in height at the top of the stairs is a real trip hazard.

Securing the top nosing

Fix the runner firmly along the full width of the top nosing and riser. On many installations the top step gets extra fixing — a double row of staples or tack strip — because it takes the most twisting load as people turn onto the landing.

Pattern alignment at the junction

If the runner continues onto the landing or meets a matching landing carpet, check that the pattern or stripes line up at the join. Stripes are the least forgiving; even a small offset is obvious from the hallway below.

Dealing with different floor levels

Old houses often have a landing that is not quite level with the top nosing, or a threshold strip between the stairs and a room. Finish the runner under the nosing rather than onto an uneven landing, or ask the fitter to pack the underlay so the surface is flush.

Finishing against a bare landing

When the landing is bare timber, tuck the runner end neatly under the top nosing and fix it to the top riser. The cut end should be sealed or turned under so it cannot fray, and no part of it should sit proud on the landing where it could catch a foot.

Wear patterns at the transition

The top nosing and the first few inches of the landing see heavy, twisting wear. Choose a dense runner, and if the runner continues across the landing, consider moving furniture or a rug slightly over time so wear is spread.

Maintenance of the junction point

Check the top step every few months. Any lifting edge or loose fixing at the top should be dealt with straight away. See finishing a runner at the top of the stairs for more detail.

Frequently asked questions

How do I stop the runner from moving at the top?: The runner should be secured with a double row of gripper at the top riser and reinforced with staples or specialized adhesive if necessary.
Should the runner match the landing carpet?: While not essential, matching the material and underlay provides a more cohesive look and prevents height differences.
What is the best way to finish a waterfall runner?: Bring the runner over the top nosing and secure it into the crotch of the landing riser, ensuring it is perfectly level.
Can I use a transition strip?: Yes, a metal or timber threshold strip can hide the junction between different materials and provide a clean finish.
Does the pile direction matter?: Absolutely. The pile should always run down the stairs to prevent premature wear and ensure a smooth feel underfoot.