Paint or replace staircase

6 years ago

Hi everyone,

as you can see I have a dark open tread staircase which makes the hallway very dark. I love the open tread style but the staircase is starting to look in poor repair after several failed attempts at staining, so we are thinking off either replacing it with lighter wood with glass banisters etc (renovating not possible for various reasons) or painting it a lighter colour. I am leaning towards painting them due to expense of new staircase What do you all think? Any ideas??

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Juliet Docherty
6 years ago
I think it's stunning, really. We have recently ripped out one with straight upright spindles and are replacing it with one similar to this but mainly oak. This looks very stylish in my opinion.
PRO
Fusion interior design
6 years ago
Agree with colourhappy. Repaint :)
Related Discussions
Stairs. To paint or not to paint
Q
Comments (17)
If you are feeling adventurous and carry out your research, try painting the oak with ammonia. You will need to obtain ammonia and an adequate vapour mask. However you will achieve through your efforts a beautiful chocolate coloured oak due to the tannins in the woods. Allow the ammonia to evaporate then varnish with a polyurethane based product. It does look absolutely stunning. Good luck
...See More
To paint it not to paint wooden staircase?
Q
Comments (19)
I’d paint it - maybe 2 tone as some of the comments suggest. I did mine this summer, absolutely love how stylish it looks. I used chalk paint which needed no undercoat (some mahogany coloured stain previously) - although the grey took better than the white. Your stair gate suggest kids, I have 3 small ones and a few chips have appeared on mine, but overall I’m pleased with it. It gets a lot of comments when people come over. (We also need new carpet but holding off until the youngest gets potty trained)
...See More
Replacing staircase advice
Q
Comments (4)
Hi Macca, The top of newel is not structural and very straight forward to replace. There are even newel post replacement kits. The process is very easy and very diy-able even if you don't use the kit. If you have some basic wood working skills as long as you have enough of the two bits of wood overlapping you can use any joint you have the skill to make even a basic lap joint. Kit is obviously quicker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN4fco0shLs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxn3X8Nsyz0 Another approach is to clad the newel in new wood. You are esentially building a new post on top of the old one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npflGAuaSzQ Or finally just sand it down fill out the damaged areas with filler or epoxy and then repaint https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dAjvRyYi0E Regarding the string then yes as long as its sound and not damaged e.g. termite or rot.
...See More
Creaking staircase does it need replaced?
Q
Comments (6)
I wonder if the creaking is from the threads rubbing against the risers? I had a bit of creaking in mine and used a bit of calk in the joins and it seemed to have alleviated that issue. Appreciate that your staircase is older but it is worth a try. (I used paintable calk)
...See More
A S
6 years ago
I don't think a glass balustrade will help in bringing more light due to the nature and Shape of the stairs but the dark colour is imposing making the space feel dark.

Your door seem to be oak, so id consider either getting them to a similar shade or painting a lighter colour such as off white/ light grey to match the interior.
User
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for all your comments. Looks like reprinting is a favourite option, which is less disruptive than a new staircase and a repainted will not destroy our current wallpaper which will be ripped if we fit a new staircase and the paper is no longer available.

i attach a better photo of the colour of the wallpaper (it's a gold colour) so that you can help me select best colour. I really don't want white.

we plan to replace the doors to a light oak with glass inserts to help lightened the hall and lay cream tiles on the floor.

we will probably replace the carpet on the stairs with a similar patterned one
PRO
The Stair Guru
6 years ago
I would have recommended replacing the steps with a light anti slip oak, change the posts and handrail and have glass inserted between the handrail and steps using "saw tooth" glass, the two "string" supports could simply be painted white, the whole staircase would feel brand new without the disruption of replacing the whole thing

Paint or replace staircase

Comments (5)

Juliet Docherty

Fusion interior design

Related Discussions

A S

User
Original Author

The Stair Guru

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Paint or replace staircase

Comments (5)

Juliet Docherty

Fusion interior design

Related Discussions

A S

UserOriginal Author

The Stair Guru

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

User
Original Author