How to Stain and Varnish a Wooden Staircase in Horsham, PA
For many homeowners in Horsham, PA, interior and exterior staircases receive the least amount of attention when it comes to paint and stain maintenance.
Wooden stairs are the most beautiful when they receive a fresh coat of paint or stain.
Also, the wood stain and varnish help the wooden stairs and rails to withstand everyday wear and tear.
In this article, we want to share some basic steps needed to paint, stain, and/or varnish wooden staircases for your home in Horsham, PA.
Have a look:
Prepare the stairs for staining
Remove the stair carpet. Clip a corner with flat-ended pliers to detach them.
Remember to wear thick gloves and protective clothing when working on your project.
Cover the doorways.
Place protective sheets on the floors and carpets near the stairs.
Open all the windows.
When sanding and staining the wood, proper ventilation will be required. So open all the windows near the stairs.
Examine the steps.
Examine the entire staircase to see if any nails are sticking out. Hammer them well with a hammer, so they’re flush with the surface of the wood.
Protect the wall.
Apply masking tape to the area where the staircase meets the wall. Stick it only on the wall so you can work on the entire surface of the staircase.
Identify the current finish.
Determine what type of finish is on the stairs. If it is thick paint or a dark stain, you may need to use a chemical stripper.
Apply it following the directions on the package instructions and remember that ventilation is essential.
Chemical strippers are generally applied to the surface using a brush before being scraped with a putty knife.
Sand the wood.
Sand the surface of the stairs with medium-grit sandpaper to remove the current finish and even out any scratched or dented areas.
You can use an eccentric sander for flat surfaces, but for corners and other hard to reach parts, you may need to use a triangular sander, a sanding block or just a sheet of sandpaper.
Collect the dust.
Use the broom and then vacuum on the stairs and the adjacent surfaces. Then wipe the surface of the stairs with damp cloths.
Apply the stain
Use a paintbrush to apply the first coat of wood stain to the stairs and rails.
Carefully read the instructions on the container before you start.
Start at the top of the stairs and work your way down. Make sure no one goes down this staircase for a day or two.
Let the product penetrate the wood for 5 to 15 minutes.
Once the stain has penetrated, wipe the wood with a clean, dry cloth to remove excess stain.
Let the coat dry.
Once the first coat is dry, apply a second coat. Again, wipe off the excess stain.
The stairs should be slightly darker after each application.
Apply varnish.
Apply a layer of polyurethane varnish suitable for wooden floors, carefully observing the instructions on the can.
When the staircase is ready, remove the protective sheets, the masking tape, and the other protective elements.
The Bottom Line
Staining is suitable for homeowners who prefer to show off the natural beauty of the wood. However, if you need more color options or your stairs have some surface imperfections, panting is your best choice.
If you need any professional help with painting or staining stairs, kitchen cabinets, and other forms of woodwork, Aspen Painting can assist.
We offer professional residential staining and painting services in areas of Horsham, Ambler, Dresher, Ft. Washington, and Blue Bell.
Call us today on 215-773-8422 for a FREE estimate to get started.
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