Stairs & trim in Ridgefield, WA

Ridgefield began as Shobert's Landing and Union Ridge before a postmaster from Virginia renamed it in 1890, and the city was incorporated on 26 August 1909. Its setting is unusual for a growing suburb: the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, a primary reserve for migrating waterfowl on the Pacific Flyway, sits beside it, along with the replica Cathlapotle plankhouse dedicated in 2005 to the Chinookan town that stood here in the Lewis and Clark era. The high school team is still the Spudders, a nod to the area's potato-farming past.

What sets Ridgefield apart today is the pace of growth. The population went from 2,147 in 2000 to 4,763 in 2010, to 10,319 in 2020, and was estimated at 16,132 in 2025. Pioneer Street runs from the historic downtown out to the interstate, and the new neighbourhoods have filled in along that line.

That makes Ridgefield a city of recent homeowners, and the flooring questions are mostly about new houses rather than old ones. We tend to hear three.

1. Should we replace the builder carpet now or wait?

   If it is the original builder-grade carpet and pad, you will usually feel the difference immediately with a better construction and cushion, especially on stairs and in the main bedroom. There is no need to rush, but there is no benefit in living with a floor you already know you do not like. If your home is still new enough to be covered by the builder's terms, it is worth checking them before changing floors.

2. Can we carry one floor through the main level?

   Many newer plans mix carpet, laminate and sheet goods on a single level. Replacing them with one continuous floor, hardwood, engineered wood or a quality luxury vinyl plank, is often the single biggest visual improvement in a new home. It also means planning transitions to the stairs and any carpeted rooms properly.

3. What about the stairs?

   In a two-storey new build the staircase is often the first thing you see from the door. A runner over finished treads, new hardwood treads and risers, or a better carpet are all good answers. The right one depends on the rest of the house and on how the stairs are used.

The old downtown is a different job. Houses near Main Avenue and Pioneer Street are older and smaller, and a refinish or a careful replacement there is about respecting what is already in the house.

Ridgefield is a short drive north on I-5 from our Vancouver showroom. Consultations are by appointment, and every project is planned through from removal to trim.