Wooden stairs can be made from one type of timber or a combination of several, and when well built can last a lifetime. However, over time they take a significant amount of use and torture and can suffer without the right treatment and maintenance.
You can ensure your staircase continues to look in great condition, showing off the beauty of the wood, by choosing the right high-quality stair parts and then properly finishing and maintaining them. Our vast range of stair parts are available in many different timbers, the majority ready for applying a range of finishes.
Types of treatment
There are many different types of treatment available for wooden stairs, each giving its own unique finish. We’ve provided you with information on some of the more popular choices, helping you to decide the right solution for your staircase project:
Oils
Oils come in a range of sheens – matt, satin and gloss, and enhance the natural beauty of wooden staircases, as well as any other internal wooden product. They are very user friendly, fast drying, versatile, easy to maintain and above all, provide a hard wearing and attractive finish, bringing out the natural colour of the grain.
Oils hard-wearing characteristics conserve the wood, offering excellent protection against dirt and liquids, making it a perfect solution for stairs in domestic properties and commercial use.
We currently stock a range of Treatex Hardwax Oils, which are easy to maintain and won't easily blister or crack.
Varnish
A varnish is a thin layer of protective material that sits over the wood and provides hardwearing and durable protection. They are particularly suitable for areas of heavy footfall in commercial properties. As with oils, varnishes come in several different sheens as well as tinted shades.
However, the likelihood is that over time a varnish will start to wear a little and may need further coats applying. We recommend that to prevent this fade to add two or three coats of clear varnish.
Stair paints
The primary benefit of stair paints is that if you want to add a little colour to your staircase and cover the grain of the wood, there are plenty of choices available.
While it involves a bit of preparation, painting a staircase is generally a straightforward business. It is important not to choose any paint, it must be one that is durable enough to withstand the amount of use your staircase gets. Avoid wall paints and search for hardier stair or floor paints.
We stock a great range of white primed stair parts, made from either birch or poplar (tulip wood), which are knot-free and sprayed white to a very high standard. These stair parts are classed as primed as there can often be some colour variations between different batches, so we recommend to all our customers that they finish the stair parts in the colour of their choice.
Wood stains
Although better known for use outdoors, wood stains are also ideal for enhancing the colour of stairs and banisters. There are different types of wood stain, with oil and water both effective options, though water-based stains will dry much quicker than the oil alternative.
While enhancing the natural colour of the wood, stains do not provide a seal for the wood. To protect the staircase, it would be recommended that you also apply a sealing oil or varnish after the wood stain.
