How to refurbish stairs

Wooden handrails and staircases add a huge amount of character, warmth and style to both residential and commercial properties, but one potential issue is that they can become damaged over time. Even hardwood handrails, balustrades and stairs will be susceptible to wear and tear, including issues such as splintering, creaking, loose components, water damage, and staining.

Since any staircase will attract a lot of footfall, there’s no way you can fully prevent these issues from arising over the years. However, by being proactive and fixing these problems as needed, you can prevent them from escalating and causing structural damage – which would be much more costly and time-consuming to fix!

To maintain the safety, functionality and aesthetic appeal of your wooden staircase, it’s important to restore and renovate your stairs and staircase components (including handrails, newel posts, stair treads and spindles) when you see signs of damage. 

Whether your staircase needs a complete overhaul or a simple lick of paint, follow this helpful guide to learn how to undertake a staircase renovation yourself – and to learn when it may be best to hire professional help.

Step 1: Planning your staircase renovation

Before you can get started, you need a proper plan in place. Stair refurbishment can be a tricky project with lots of different steps and components involved, not to mention the potential health risks from fumes and dust.

First, assess the current condition of your staircase to determine which issues need to be addressed, and what their priorities are. Are there chips, cracks, loose parts, water damage, staining, scuffs or squeaky steps? Write a list of all of the problems and consider how you will tackle them. If you notice signs of more extensive damage or potential structural damage, you may need to hire professionals rather than attempting to handle this yourself. In the worst case scenario, you could end up threatening the structural integrity of the staircase even more if you don’t know what you’re doing!

Next, once you’ve got your list of problems, you need to decide on your renovation objectives. Are you just fixing some cosmetic issues and applying a new wood stain, or are you completely redecorating the whole structure – including adding new newel posts, spindles and stair treads? This will affect your budget, timeline and the equipment you will need to buy. For instance, if your stair refurbishment will include replacing the whole balustrade and cutting down newel posts, it’s important to reinforce the structure of the staircase (with wooden blocks underneath the treads) so that metal spindles can be fixed in place. Make sure you factor in the cost of all of this equipment – and the time and expertise it takes to install – before getting started. And if you decide that the job is much bigger than you thought, this would be the perfect time to reassess and get professional help if needed.

Overall, the cost of renovating a staircase and the time and effort involved will completely depend on the existing damage and how much you want to change. A complete refurbishment (including the replacement of some or all components) could cost thousands of pounds, even without hiring professionals, due to the cost of materials.

If you’re completely overhauling your staircase, have a think about what kind of style you’re aiming for. Dark hardwood materials and ornate components (such as carved monkey tail handrails or decorative newel caps) are perfect for a more traditional look, whereas simple lines and either light colours or interesting contrasts would be ideal for a modern, eye-catching staircase. 

Stair restoration equipment

During the planning phase, you will need to assemble the required equipment for your staircase renovation. This can include:

• Safety equipment such as goggles, gloves, earplugs, dust masks, respirators and knee pads.
• Sandpaper in various grits and/or an electric sander (the latter is very useful when working with large surface areas).
• Wood filler or putty.
• Putty knives, utility knives, saws, clamps, screwdrivers and other tools.
• Measuring tools such as measuring tape and a spirit level.
• Painter’s tape, drop cloths and sheeting to protect surrounding surfaces from paint and varnishes.
• Brushes, rollers and paint trays to apply primer and paint.
• Paint, wood stains, varnishes, clear coats and primers (depending on how you want to decorate your staircase). Make sure you choose high-quality products that are designed for use on stairs. 
• Cleaning equipment, such as vacuum cleaners, dustpans, brooms, cloths, and cleaning solutions. 
• Optional extras: replacement staircase and/or balustrade components (if needed), carpets, stair runners, stair treads, or other decorative elements.

Step 2: Starting your stair refurbishment

To tackle problem areas and redecorate your staircase to suit your tastes, you need to strip it back and start from a blank slate. If your staircase is carpeted, this will involve cutting away the old carpet with your utility knife and pulling out tack strips and staples. Once the carpet is fully removed, you can start treating the wood underneath.

For painted or natural wooden staircases, you can move straight onto using a paint or finish remover to get rid of anything on the surface, leaving you with just the original wood. You may need to assess your staircase again at this point, especially if your carpets were previously disguising more extensive damage. You will need to replace any staircase parts that are rotting or in very poor condition, as no amount of refurbishment will make these parts safe and structurally sound. 

For minor damage, including scratches and chips, you can use your wood filler and putty knife to carefully fill in the cracks. Allow the filler to dry before sanding these areas down until they are level with the rest of the structure. 

Next, sand the entirety of the staircase with your sandpaper or electric sander. Start with a coarse grit over the whole staircase and finish it off with a finer grit. Being thorough and meticulous at this stage will help you achieve a better end result – this will create a smooth, even surface that will look much better when stained or painted. Once you’re completely done, brush or wipe away the dust.

Important safety tips

During this initial stage – and throughout the refurbishment – you will be dealing with a lot of dust particles from sanding and fumes from the chemicals you use (including paint removers, stains, and so on). Therefore, you need to adhere to the following safety tips at all times:

• Protect your eyes from dust and debris with safety goggles. 
• Protect your hearing when using loud tools by wearing earplugs or ear muffs.
• Ensure the room is well-ventilated. You may also need to wear a dust mask or respirator.
• Wear gloves to protect your hands and always handle tools with care.
• Practise ladder safety when working on elevated parts of the staircase.
• Check all wires and plug sockets before using electric tools.
• Follow all manufacturer instructions when using tools and chemicals.
• Periodically clean up the surrounding area to remove dust, debris and tripping hazards.

Step 3: Bringing your stair renovation ideas to life

Now you have a blank slate to work with, you can start refurbishing and redecorating your wooden staircase to bring your staircase and handrail design ideas to life!

Your next steps will be determined by whether you want carpeted stairs, painted stairs or a natural-looking wooden staircase. With the former option, you can start installing your chosen carpet, but if you want to apply paints or stains, you need to get the appropriate items ready.

To simply enhance the natural beauty of your hardwood staircase, you can apply a wood stain to bring out the natural colour and create a more appealing finish. Following the wood grain, apply your wood stain evenly with a brush or cloth. Then, allow the stain to penetrate into the wood for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer before removing the excess stain with a clean cloth. Allow your staircase to fully dry before doing anything else.

If you want to paint your staircase instead, we’d recommend starting with a layer of primer to improve paint adhesion and durability. Once the primer is fully dry, apply 2-3 thin and even coats of your chosen paint. Allow each layer to fully dry before applying the next. For an extra-smooth finish, you can lightly sand the staircase (when dry) between each layer of paint.

Finally, when your paint or stain is fully dry, apply a clear protective coat over the entire surface. This will improve the durability and longevity of your paint or stain, meaning you can go longer between refurbishments to save time and money.

Step 4: Final touches

Once the entire staircase is completely dry, you can move onto the finishing touches. At this stage, you should reassemble any components you removed to either work on separately or replace (such as spindles, treads or newel posts), using your spirit level to ensure everything is as it should be. All components should be firmly installed for both aesthetics and safety. 

Clean up all dust and debris so you can see your staircase clearly. This will help you assess whether you need to touch up any areas, or whether you’re happy with the result. At this stage, you can also have fun with decorative elements like adding stylish carpet runners, or if you’re really creative, you can paint decals and murals to turn your staircase into a decorative focal point for your hallway.

Step 5: Ongoing maintenance

Just because you’ve finished your staircase renovation project, doesn’t mean your work ends here! To protect your investment for many years to come, it’s important to stay on top of regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent future damage. 

You should regularly sweep or vacuum your staircase to prevent debris build-up, as this can be unsightly and potentially damaging to your stairs. For uncarpeted staircases, you can also use a cloth to wipe away stains. However, avoid harsh cleaning materials that could damage the finish. If the finish becomes worn or damaged easily, consider installing a carpet or runners to protect the wood underneath.

Water damage is a particular concern for wooden staircases and handrails. Even changes in indoor humidity can cause the wood to expand and shrink, so it’s important to maintain consistent moisture levels to avoid damage. Depending on the weather where you live and your home’s insulation, you may need to consider investing in a humidifier or dehumidifier to protect your staircase. 

Finally, pay attention to all of your staircase components to ensure the safety of the entire structure. Handrails, spindles and newel posts may loosen over time – especially if the wood expands and/or contracts due to moisture levels – so you will need to tighten them when necessary to prevent accidents.

Unfortunately, the risk of improperly installed (and therefore unsafe) staircase and balustrade components can increase when renovation projects aren’t undertaken by professionals. Getting professional help will be more costly than trying to do everything yourself, but if you want the security of knowing that your staircase will be beautifully designed and structurally sound, it’s best to call the experts.

Here at Handrail Creations, no staircase project is too complex for our highly experienced team. We design and manufacture bespoke handrails to perfectly complement any residential and commercial space, using state-of-the-art scanning, design and manufacturing tools to supply and install all parts with absolute precision. Get in touch with us today to arrange an initial consultation, or take a look at our previous projects for some staircase inspiration!