Stair Refinishing in Durham Region

How do I know if my stairs need refinishing or full replacement?

If the wood is sound underneath the surface wear — no soft spots, no structural movement, no damage that goes deeper than the finish — refinishing usually gets you a like-new surface for less work than replacement. Deep gouges through multiple layers, water damage, or treads that flex underfoot usually mean replacement is the better long-term option, and we'll tell you which applies during the site visit.

How long until I can use the stairs again after refinishing?

Sanding and staining typically finish within a day or two, but the protective topcoat needs cure time between coats and before normal foot traffic — usually a few days total, and longer before rugs or furniture go back. We'll give you the specific schedule for the products used on your job.

Can you change the stain colour during refinishing?

Yes, sanding down to bare wood means the new stain colour isn't limited by whatever was applied before. This is one of the most common reasons homeowners refinish — to match a new hardwood floor, or simply to update an outdated colour.

Is dust contained during sanding?

We use dust containment sheeting around the work area and vacuum-attached sanding equipment where the job allows, but stair sanding does produce more airborne dust than floor sanding because of the vertical riser surfaces. We'll walk you through what to expect and how we protect the rest of the home.

Do carpeted stairs need anything removed before refinishing?

Yes — carpet, padding and all staples or tack strips need to come out first, and the treads underneath need to be assessed once exposed, since carpeted stairs sometimes have plywood or non-hardwood treads that aren't suitable for refinishing and need replacement instead.