Wooden Stairs Restoration & Renovation In London

Welcome to Floor Renovations, with over 18 years' experience in wooden floor sanding and refinishing, including stairs and staircases.

Expert Stair Sanding & Wooden Stairs Renovation in London

At Floor Renovations, we pride ourselves on providing a high quality, quick stair sanding and refinishing service.  Sanding stairs is usually part of an overall floor sanding job, however, it is also possible to carry out the service on its own.

With an established reputation since 2006, our award-winning London wooden stair renovation services have gained many 5-star ratings from Google, Trust Pilot, and even video customer testimonials.

Vass came and renovated our previously stained first floor. The difference was fantastic. He also sanded and stained a new staircase, matching to the older floor. Really good service and great finish, he even patched up some worn spots on another staircase. When they finished it was very clean.

Paul Thomas, North London (April 2024)

As you can see from our reviews, our team focus on outstanding finishes when repairing, sanding and sealing wooden floors and stairs alike.

Prices; How much does it cost to sand and stain a staircase?

For Stairs to sand and finish (for example stain, restain, or varnish), the price for sanding stairs depends upon the condition of the steps and layers of paint present.

So, how much does it cost to sand and stain a staircase? Well, prices are based per step and you can see our full floor sanding pricelist for complete details on stair sanding prices, or get a free site visit, and no obligation quotation for your floor sanding needs. Please note that items above the stairs such as the balustrade and handrail, or the skirting alongside the staircase are not included.

Prices can vary based upon how well the stairs have been maintained. For instance, if wood needs replacing, is deeply pitted or damaged or if it has been painted, possibly several times, these things will increase the cost of sanding and repairing your stairs.

Finishes chosen can also increase prices. Our team offers a free, no obligation site visit to assess your sanding needs, without obligation on your part.

Stair Sanding Examples

Here are some nice examples of before and after shots for staircase sanding and sealing.

How to sand and repair the staircase.

Before you start sanding your stairs...

As the handrail and balustrades are likely to be less worn than the treads, you may be able to get away with keying and painting these, unless you want the natural wood effect. Because you are going to leave the stairs refinished with exposed wood, you are better to deal with these before you carry out the sanding and refinishing of the stairs. Getting this job done before the treads will to avoid damaging or scuffing the stairs themselves.

Stair sanding is going to cause more dust than using a dustless floor sander on the main floors, so you will need to plan around other work so you don't ruin finishes on other floors if they have just been done. Make sure the dust is thoroughly cleared away from around the work area and the house before applying finishes for the best effect. Note also, that if you have repainted skirting boards before you start, you are almost certainly going to need to touch them up again afterwards.

Preparation of stairs for repair and sanding

Clear the Area: Remove any carpet covering and objects on or around the stairs.

With the skirting alongside the staircase - either key this and repaint, or replace and paint before you start the stairs.

Consider the state of the staircase before starting

The first thing to consider is the state of staircase, and mainly the state of the treads. Decide whether the staircase needs repairing, renovating OR in extreme circumstances, replacing.

The reason this can vary so much is that over the years a staircase may have been carpeted, painted, oiled, varnished, carpeted again and painting again, so the job can vary tremendously.

Initial Cleaning:

Vacuum and Dust: Clean the stairs thoroughly to remove dust and debris.

Safety Gear Needed: Wear safety glasses, a dust mask, ear protection, and work gloves throughout the job, as required.

Inspect and Repair the stairs

Check for loose nails, screws, or damaged treads and fix them.

Pull out nails and staples Headless nails are just driven deeper into the wood surface.

Tools Needed – tack lifter with V-shaped head, designed for easy leverage.

Strip Old Finish (if applicable)

The next job is to remove the old floor finishes from the stairs.

Apply Paint or Varnish Remover: Use a chemical stripper if there is old paint or varnish.

Scrape Off: After the stripper has set, scrape off the old finish with a putty knife or scraper.

Tools needed for removing the paint or varnish from the stairs  – scrapers for paint, wide range of power and shapes, effectively removing paint from flat surface.

You will find that the treads are easier to scrape than risers as you can put some weight into it.

Filling gaps

The next stage is to fill any gaps in the wood, for smoothing the treads and risers to a nice finish.

Tip: Some deeper holes need a second fill.

Sanding – done manually

Tools needed – a rotary sander, small orbital sander and a small corner sander.

Sanding Process:
Coarse Sanding: Start with coarse-grit sandpaper (40-60 grit) to remove the bulk of the old finish or rough spots.
Tools: Use an orbital sander for flat surfaces and a detail sander for corners and edges.
Technique: Sand along the grain of the wood
Use even pressure to avoid gouging.

Medium Sanding: Move to medium-grit sandpaper (80-120 grit) to smooth out roughness from the coarse sanding.
Continue: Sand each step thoroughly, ensuring even coverage.

Fine Sanding: Finish with fine-grit sandpaper (180-220 grit) for a smooth surface.

Final Pass: Ensure all surfaces are evenly sanded and smooth.

Detail Sanding:
Hand Sanding: Use a sanding sponge or sandpaper for areas the power sander couldn't reach, like corners and intricate details.

Smooth Edges: Pay attention to the edges and balustrades.

Cleaning After Sanding:

The following processes will be needed.

• Vacuum Again: Remove all sanding dust with a vacuum cleaner.
  
  
• Use a Tack Cloth: Wipe down the stairs with a tack cloth to pick up any remaining dust particles.
  
  
• Inspection - check the surface to ensure the stairs are smooth and free of any remaining finish or rough spots.

 

Preparation for Finishing:

• Final Clean: Ensure the stairs are completely clean before applying any new finish.
  
  
• Masking: Use painter's tape to protect areas that won't be finished.

So that's it. If you've taken care and worked on the detail, your stairs are now ready for refinishing.

The Beauty of Exposed Wooden Stairs

Having exposed wooden stairs rather than covering them with carpet can offer a real centrepiece for your home.

• Durable - wooden stairs offer a surface that is more durable than carpet.
  
  
• offer simpler cleaning -  as you can wipe them down, and easier to clean and
  
  
• Can create a better atmosphere - Additionally, exposed wooden stairs can make reflect the natural light in your home, and amplifying it and helping to create a more inviting atmosphere.

The Importance of Refinishing Stairs

Refinishing is crucial for maintaining the your wooden stairs once they are sanded and repaired. It not only restores their original lustre but also provides a protective layer against wear and tear, preserving the wood's quality and appearance. High-traffic areas like stairs require periodic refinishing to keep them looking their best and to ensure they remain a durable and stylish feature of your home.  Our team will advise you, based on your requirements.