Staircase Refinishing in Cambridge: Sand, Stain or Paint?
Your staircase is one of the first things people see when they walk into your home. It's also one of the hardest working surfaces in the house. Years of foot traffic, pets and kids leave treads scratched, worn through in the middle and looking tired.
A lot of homeowners in Cambridge assume the only fix is new stairs or new carpet. In most cases, that isn't true. If the wood underneath is solid, sanding and refinishing can make your staircase look brand new.
Here is what your options are and what the process looks like.
Signs your stairs need refinishing
The finish is worn through in the middle of the treads
Scratches, dents or dark spots from years of use
An orange or yellowed look from old varnish
You've pulled up carpet and found hardwood underneath
The colour no longer matches your new floors
Your three main options
1. Sand and refinish in a natural or stained finish. The treads are sanded down to bare wood, then stained (or left natural) and sealed with a durable clear coat. This works best on oak and other hardwoods and is the most popular choice.
2. Paint the risers and spindles, stain the treads. This is the classic two tone look. Crisp white risers and spindles with a rich stained tread and railing. It's a great way to update an older oak staircase and make it feel modern.
3. Paint the whole staircase. Good for softwood stairs or stairs that were never meant to be stained. We use a tough floor rated paint so it holds up to foot traffic.
Not sure which is right for your home? We'll look at the wood and tell you honestly what will look best and last longest.
What about stairs under old carpet?
Many homes in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo have oak stairs hiding under carpet. Sometimes they're in great shape. Sometimes there are staple holes, glue and paint drips from past jobs. Most of that can be cleaned up with proper sanding and filling. If a tread is too damaged, it can be swapped or capped before refinishing.
Our staircase refinishing process
Walkthrough and colour. We look at the stairs, talk through stain or paint colours, and plan the job.
Protect your home. Floors, walls and nearby rooms get covered. Sanding dust is controlled as much as possible.
Sand. Treads, nosings and railings are sanded to remove the old finish. Spindles and risers are prepped for paint.
Repair. Gouges, nail holes and gaps get filled.
Stain or prime. Stain is applied evenly, or primer goes on anything getting painted.
Finish coats. Multiple coats of clear finish or floor paint, with light sanding in between for a smooth result.
Can you still use your stairs during the job?
Yes, in most cases. If the stairs are the only way up and down, we work in stages, doing every other step so you can still get by. We'll walk you through the plan before we start so you're never stuck upstairs.
Most staircases take a few days, depending on the size, the number of spindles and how much repair is needed. Finishes need some time to fully cure, so we'll let you know when it's safe for regular traffic, socks, pets and furniture moving.
The same painter, start to finish
At Brush to Wall Painting, the same painter who quotes your staircase is the one sanding, staining and finishing it. With 17 years in the trade, we know that stairs are all about the details: clean lines between paint and stain, smooth railings and a finish that holds up.
We refinish staircases across Cambridge, including Galt, Preston, Hespeler and Blair, as well as Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and Brantford.
Ready to bring your stairs back to life? Contact us for a free quote.
We don't cut corners, we paint them.
