When I got the quote from my stairs, it was quoted to do them in oak. The slipperiness of wood on stairs is a very valid point, but I've seen just as many staircases with wooden stairs, as I have staircases done in carpet. Carpet can also be very slippery, especially when people are wearing indoor footwear such as slippers. A quick search online will yield some complaints of people slipping on both types of material.
If there's a railing, and it's being used for its utility, it will drastically reduce the chances of slipping down the stairs.
Am I right in thinking that oak wouldn't be as slippery (pending it's not stained to a mirror finish) as hardwood or laminate?
