Stair Refinishing in Scranton, PA
Stairs take more abuse per square inch than any other surface in the house. Every trip up and down concentrates all the wear on the same narrow strip of tread nose. Pet claws dig in on the turn. Carpet staple holes from a 1970s renovation dot every surface. And because the staircase is the first thing people see when they walk through the front door, worn stairs drag down the look of every floor they connect to. Refinishing the stairs often makes more visual impact than refinishing an entire bedroom.
What We Refinish
Treads
The horizontal surface you step on. This is where most wear concentrates. Sanding strips the old finish and exposes clean wood underneath.
Risers
The vertical face between steps. Often painted white in older homes. We refinish these to match the treads or repaint them for a classic two-tone look (stained treads with painted risers).
Newel posts and handrails
These are hand-sanded and finished to match the treads. On ornate Victorian staircases, common in Hill Section and Green Ridge homes, this detail work takes time and attention.
Balusters
The spindles between the handrail and the treads. We can refinish painted or varnished balusters to match the overall staircase treatment.
Carpet Removal from Stairs
One of our most common stair projects is carpet removal and refinish. Many Scranton homes had carpet installed over original oak stairs during the 1960s and 1970s. The tack strips and staples leave holes, but these fill easily. The wood underneath, protected from wear for decades, is often in excellent condition. The visual transformation from carpeted stairs to finished oak is one of the most dramatic improvements you can make in an older home, and it usually costs less than replacing the carpet with new carpet.
How We Handle Access
Stairs cannot be roped off like a room. We work top-down, finishing the upper steps first and working toward the bottom, so you always have a path to the upstairs. If the staircase is the only access to the second floor, we plan the schedule so you can use alternate steps while coats dry. Most stair jobs take one to two days.
Stain and Finish Options for Stairs
Stairs can be finished to match the rest of your hardwood floors, or they can stand on their own with a contrasting treatment. The classic look in Scranton's older homes is stained treads with painted white risers, creating a two-tone effect that highlights the wood grain on the walking surface while keeping the risers crisp and clean. We apply the same finish options available for flat floors: oil-based or water-based polyurethane in your choice of sheen. For stairs, we typically recommend satin finish because it hides scuffs better than high-gloss while still showing the wood's natural beauty.
What It Costs
Stair refinishing is priced per step, not per square foot. The range is $25 to $85 per step, depending on tread width, detail work on risers and balusters, and the condition of the wood. A standard straight staircase with 12 to 14 steps typically runs $300 to $1,200. Adding newel posts and handrails is quoted separately. If you are refinishing the stairs as part of a full-floor project, the work is coordinated so everything matches and the stain color is consistent throughout.
Want your stairs to match your floors? Call (570) 555-0192 for a free estimate.
Can you remove old carpet from stairs and refinish underneath?
Yes, and this is one of our most popular requests. Many Scranton homes have beautiful oak stairs hidden under carpet. We remove the carpet, pull the staples and tack strips, fill the holes, sand, and refinish. The result is usually dramatic.
Can I still use the stairs while they are being refinished?
We plan the schedule so you always have access. We work in sections, top-down, and can leave alternate steps usable while coats dry. Full staircase closure is typically only needed for a few hours at a time.
How much does it cost to refinish a full staircase?
Stairs are priced per step at $25 to $85 depending on condition and detail work. A typical 13-step staircase with treads, risers, and a handrail runs roughly $600 to $1,400. Carpet removal, staple pulling, and repairs to damaged nosing add to that, and we quote those as separate lines.
My stair treads are worn through at the nose. Can they be saved?
Usually yes. The tread nose takes the most wear and is the first place the finish fails. As long as there is enough wood left to sand, we can reshape and refinish it. Treads that are cracked or worn past the point of safety get replaced individually.
Do the stairs have to match my floors exactly?
They do not have to, but most people want them to. We take the stain formula from your floor and apply test patches on a hidden riser or the underside of a tread to confirm the match before doing the full staircase.