Floating stairs?

Definitely remove the carpet. Without a photo it is difficult to make suggestions. However if the wood is nice, you can clean it up and protect it on the top side with poly. IIt could also be painted an accent color using a porch and deck paint.

What is under the carpet? Maybe the stair treads are made of beautiful wood and someone covered it in the shag?

Sorry, now I read this second query.

When you pull the carpet off you’ll find you either have pine or oak treads.

If you have oak treads you have won the lottery and it will be worth the tedium of filling the holes, sanding and polyurethaning them.

If they are pine, they’re not going to wear well as pine is soft and the front edges of the treads will constantly get beat up.

Painting with a porch paint will allow you to fill and re-paint the gouged areas, as they wear, over time.

There are oak “tread wraps” starting at about $24 each. They’re pretty thick and will change the “rise” in your stair.

There are also LVT tread wraps, of which IDK how much they cost.

Through-bodied Porcelain tiles can be ordered with a matching stair nosing.

I would not use a glazed clay-bodied tile, as they show chips and wear.

Hi, could you remove the carpet and staples and paint the wood? A beautifully painted staircase always looks so nice. If you can provide a picture we can help with further suggestions.

There is probably rug on them because they were slippery with just the steps

There are stairs projects here:

https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=remove%20carpet%20from%20stairs

here is detailed instructions https://www.pinterest.com/pin/360780620122374702/

Have you considered just taking the carpet off, repairing the wood and painting?

Hello Casasharer,

Fix something like M.D.F or Hardboard or Plywood to the the back of the treads in one or two pieces. Do the same on the sides, up to the ceiling and down to the ground. It would be better to make a framework to attach these sheets of timber. ( Rather like making a dry wall) Then you can insulate between the timber frame. Best wishes, Hope that helps a bit

Here's a post that might help - https://talesoffruitandcake.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/floating-stairs-makeover/

Trying to understand your question. Are you you just wanting to remove the carpet, like in this project from Hometalk:

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/staircases/staircase-carpet-to-wood-reveal-4417758

Here are more Q and A from another homeowner with floating stairs:

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/staircases/q-how-to-refinish-floating-wood-stairs-40131495

Or Are you asking how to get rid of the floating stair look and create standard stairs?