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Staircase renovation: your options, from refinishing to new treads
Most staircases can be renovated without being replaced. The usual options are cladding the old treads and risers with new oak or another finish, sanding and refinishing existing timber, changing the spindles, handrail and newel posts, or adding a runner. The structure stays in place, so the work is quicker, tidier and less costly than a new staircase.
The main options
| Option | What it involves | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Cladding treads and risers | New timber, usually oak, fixed over the existing treads and risers | Old carpeted or softwood stairs that are structurally sound |
| Sanding and refinishing | Taking the existing timber back to bare wood and finishing it | Stairs that are already a good hardwood |
| Painting risers | White or a colour on the risers, with timber treads | A lighter, modern look |
| New balustrade | New spindles, handrail and newel posts, in timber or glass | Dated or loose banisters |
| Runner | A carpet strip down the middle of timber treads | Grip, quiet and a softer look |
What it involves
- Cladding treads and risers
- New timber, usually oak, fixed over the existing treads and risers
- Sanding and refinishing
- Taking the existing timber back to bare wood and finishing it
- Painting risers
- White or a colour on the risers, with timber treads
- New balustrade
- New spindles, handrail and newel posts, in timber or glass
- Runner
- A carpet strip down the middle of timber treads
Suits
- Cladding treads and risers
- Old carpeted or softwood stairs that are structurally sound
- Sanding and refinishing
- Stairs that are already a good hardwood
- Painting risers
- A lighter, modern look
- New balustrade
- Dated or loose banisters
- Runner
- Grip, quiet and a softer look
Cladding: the most common renovation
Carpet is lifted, the nosings (the front edges of the treads) are usually cut back, and new tread and riser boards are fitted over the old ones and fixed in place. The result looks like a new solid timber staircase. Dark treads with white risers, and oak treads to match an oak floor, are both popular.
Matching the stairs to the floor
When a new floor goes into the hall, it is the best time to do the stairs too, so the treads can be matched to the floor's colour and finish. Herringbone and other patterns cannot run up the stairs, but the treads can be finished to tone with them, so the hall and stairs read as one space.
Safety points
- Every step must stay the same height, so the thickness of the new cladding is planned to keep the first and last steps even.
- Nosings must give a good grip, and a runner or anti-slip finish helps on smooth timber.
- Handrails and balustrades must be secure, and gaps between spindles must meet the building regulations for your home.
How long does a staircase renovation take?
It depends on the number of steps, whether the balustrade is changed, and the finish. The stairs stay usable for much of the job, but plan for some time when they are being fixed or finished. Your quote sets out the plan for your stairs.
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