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Staircase Restoration
very time you walk into your entryway, do you feel as though something is missing? If you get an uneasy feeling about your home because it feels as though something new, eye-catching, and unique is missing, consider rejuvenating your old wooden staircase through stairway restoration. Believe it or not, this is not as difficult of a project as one may assume. In this article, we will discuss a few easy ways to take your wooden staircase from dull to stunning in no time!
Step One: Start by sanding the smaller areas such as the risers, threads, edges and corners of each individual step, as well as the balusters, with coarse sandpaper. It is important to remove all the old stain without damaging the hardwood underneath. It is therefore important that you choose the right sandpaper, because if you use sandpaper that is too coarse, you may risk damaging the hardwood that is just below the finished surface. Step Two: Sand the entire area of the step and balusters with fine sandpaper. This will allow you to smooth out any spots left behind during the initial sanding and help enhance the finished results once your stairs are completed. Step Three: Gently wash the steps and balusters with a mixture of mild soap and water to rid the recently sanded area of all dirt particles. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours. Step Four: Apply the wood stain of your choice by either using a brush or rag, depending on your own personal preference. Allow for at least 24 hours of drying time between each coat. Remember, by adding an additional coat you will add a richer and darker appearance.
Step Five: Apply a polyurethane varnish using even strokes that go with the wood grain. The varnish will help to maximize durability of the surface area and add a beautiful shine; you may have to add two or three coats of varnish. It is important that you allow for proper drying time: at least 24 hours between each coat. Stair restoration sounds easy enough, but make no mistake about it: restoring stairs requires a lot of attention to detail. Even the slightest abrasions caused by sandpaper that’s too coarse, or poorly applied layers of stain could ruin a beautiful wooden staircase. So, it is important to be sure that you are familiar with stair restoration before tackling this project. The licensed general contractors and carpenters at Center Island Contracting have restored many wooden staircases in the past, and are always here to help you with your home improvement endeavors. Call us today at 516-481-4707, and allow us to help you with your restoration projects!