Stairs to paint or not?

[madmondeo]

Why are the top two and bottom two stairs on most houses painted?

[ABCharlie]

I've just had a new staircase put in and have varnished it with an extra hard resinous compound. I've never noticed (presumably in the UK) what you describe but I would guess from recent experience these are the steps with the most wear on them and the paint can be renewed more easily than a carpet (say).

Kind regards.

[markja]

outdoor steps, white paint so it's easier to see start of steps in dark / dim light.