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Oak Hardwood Staircase
Refinishing and Restoration

Oak hardwood staircase refinishing and restoration can transform the look and feel of your home. Over time, staircases endure a lot of wear and tear, making them prone to scratches, dents, and dulling.

Restoring your hardwood staircase to its original beauty is a multi-step process that includes sanding and refinishing of the treads, painting the risers and sides, and painting or replacing the banister's spindles, refinishing of the handrail, and posts.

You can take your dated red staircase and create a new look, that will give it a new life:

Whether you’re looking to bring new life to a worn staircase or seeking to update the look of your stairs to match a new décor, hardwood staircase refinishing and restoration can provide a stunning, long-lasting result.

Here’s an in-depth look at how this process unfolds.

Benefits of
Hardwood Staircase Refinishing and Restoration

Refinishing and restoring a hardwood staircase offers numerous benefits, both aesthetically and functionally:

Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal:

Freshly refinished stairs look beautiful and can instantly elevate the appearance of any space.

Increased Longevity:

Proper refinishing protects the wood from future wear, increasing the durability and longevity of the staircase. There is no reason why your original Oak stairs can't last a lifetime of your home.

Cost-Efficiency:

Rather than replacing a staircase, which can be costly, the refinishing provides a budget-friendly alternative to achieve a fresh, new look.

Customization:

You can select your preferred stain color and finish to personalize the staircase to your home’s style.

Step-By-Step Process of
Oak Hardwood Staircase Refinishing and Restoration

1. Initial Preparation and Inspection

The first step in the hardwood staircase refinishing and restoration process involves a detailed inspection and preparation of the area. The threads are assessed to determine the stability and the degree of wear and tear, and to see if they can be refinished.

2. Sanding the Treads

Inspecting for Damages: We begin by assessing the staircase for any damage such as loose steps, squeaks, or worn areas that may need repairs.
Sanding Preparation: Dust control is essential during the refinishing process. We use drop cloths and protective coverings, as well as our professional Dust Containment System from Bona, to prevent dust and debris from affecting other parts of the home.

The heart of the staircase is its treads, which bear the brunt of daily foot traffic. Over time, these surfaces become worn and scratched.

3. Bullnosing and Edge Work

Stripping the Old Finish: Using professional-grade sanding tools, we start by removing the old finish and smoothing out any imperfections.
Detailed Sanding Process: Depending on the extent of damage, we typically use a combination of coarse, medium, and fine-grit sandpaper to ensure the surface is smooth and ready for staining.

For staircases with bullnose edges, extra attention is needed to ensure uniformity and precision.

4. Staining the Treads

Detail Sanding Around Bullnose: We hand-sand the bullnose areas to remove any previous finish, ensuring these edges match the treads.
Precision Work for Lasting Results: Bullnosing can wear over time, so we focus on refinishing these areas to strengthen and beautify them.

Once sanding is complete, we proceed with staining:

Painting the Sides and Risers

Selecting the Stain Color: We offer a wide range of stain colors to achieve the look you envision for your staircase.
Applying the Stain: A high-quality stain from either Bona or DuraSeal is applied to the treads, ensuring an even, consistent finish.
Sealing for Protection: To protect the wood from future wear and tear, we apply three layers of protective water based or polyurethane finish from Bona, each layer is sanded for smoothness and durability.

The risers and sides of a staircase play a key role in its overall look. For a classic appearance, many homeowners choose to paint these elements to complement the stained treads. Another reason for painting the risers and sides, is that those two elements are usually not made of real, solid wood, but rather Oak veneer, that offers very limited options, when it comes to sanding.

Painting the Sides and Risers

Painting the risers and sides of the staircase provides a polished look and contrasts beautifully with the stained treads.

Bannister, Handrail, and Spindles Refinishing and Restoration

Primer Application: Before painting, we apply a high adhesion primer to ensure the paint adheres well and provides lasting coverage.
Choosing the Right Paint: We use high-quality paint for durability, choosing colors that match the overall decor of your home. Usually Behr paint is used; on occasion, we will use the Benjamin Moore paint will be used if requested by Clients.
Precision and Detail: Each riser and side is carefully painted to ensure clean lines and a professional finish.

The banister, handrail, and spindles are crucial elements of any staircase. Refinishing these adds a cohesive, polished look to your staircase restoration.

Those elements of the staircase are dismantled and taken off site to be stripped of excising finish and old stain.

1. Handrail Refinishing

The handrail is one of the most touched areas of the staircase, and over time it can show signs of wear. The original varnish is stripped and sanded off of the handrails and the posts - down to bare wood, this is done off site.

2. Spindle Preparation and Painting

Painting the Banister Spindles: Old, wooden varnished spindles are usually not sanded and refinished but rather painted - this is the most cost effective way for this specific part of the project. On occasion, when we are working with historic homes, or when the design of the staircase must remain intact, the spindles will be sanded and striped off old varnish on site. This however, comes with a substantial cost.

Spindles add architectural beauty to a staircase, and properly updating them makes a noticeable difference.

Once all primary elements have been refinished, or painted, we focus on the finishing details to ensure a polished and cohesive result.

1. Final Sanding and Buffing

After each layer of stain and sealant is applied and dried, a light sanding and buffing bring out the natural beauty of the wood and achieve a high-end finish.

2. Inspecting for Perfection

Every part of the staircase is carefully inspected to ensure there are no drips, uneven paint, or other imperfections. This meticulous final inspection guarantees a flawless result.

Tips for Maintaining Your Hardwood Staircase
After Refinishing

Once your oak hardwood staircase has been refinished and restored, follow these tips to maintain its beauty and extend its longevity:

Use Rugs or Runners: To minimize wear on the treads, consider using a stylish runner or stair tread rugs.
Regular Cleaning: Keep dust and debris off the staircase by regularly sweeping and occasionally damp mopping.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Use gentle wood cleaners and avoid abrasive chemicals that can damage the finish.

Why Choose Us for Your Hardwood Staircase Refinishing and Restoration Needs?

Gerber Hardwood Flooring Team is committed to excellence in every aspect of hardwood staircase refinishing and restoration. With years of experience and a dedication to quality craftsmanship, we deliver results that exceed expectations.

From detailed sanding of the treads and bullnosing to painting the risers and spindles with precision, our expertise guarantees a staircase that will enhance the beauty of your home for years to come. Reach out today for a consultation and let us transform your staircase into a centerpiece you’ll love.

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