Painting a staircase: what are the pros and cons?

Is that new staircase not quite your style? Would you like to give it a makeover without spending a fortune? If so, you might be thinking about painting your new staircase. But before you get started, it’s best to weigh up the pros and cons carefully. That way, you can be sure that you’ll not only achieve a great result, but also end up with a staircase that’s durable and will still look good in a few years’ time.

Whether your staircase is new or a bit older, painting it is relatively straightforward:

1. First, give the stairs a light sanding
2. Then apply a primer
3. Then apply two to three coats of hard-wearing paint.

The paint and other materials you need don’t have to be expensive at all. If you do it all yourself, painting your stairs is definitely the cheapest way to give them a fresh new look.

Please note: if you’re planning to paint your stairs, bear in mind that you’ll need to repeat this job every two years. Even with special stair paint, visible wear and tear will soon become apparent, and that doesn’t look very nice. What’s more, worn paint makes your stairs slippery and unsafe. So, unfortunately, painting your stairs isn’t a smart or sustainable long-term choice.

Would you like to give your staircase a long-lasting upgrade? Then staircase renovation is your best option. New-build homes, in particular, often feature spruce wood staircases. This type of wood is soft and wears out quickly. Staircases are often installed quite early in the construction process, and many people walk on them during the build (carrying heavy materials!). If you paint the staircase, the wood remains soft and prone to wear and tear. If you renovate the staircase, not only will it look beautiful for a lifetime, but it will also become extra sturdy thanks to the scratch- and wear-resistant stair tread covers that are fitted over the existing steps.

As mentioned, we fit new stair tread covers over your existing steps. These feature the unique Upstairs Original Top Layer. This top layer is scratch- and wear-resistant as well as non-slip, thanks to the aluminium alloy incorporated into the top layer. You decide what your stair covering looks like: there is an extensive range of colours and textures, so there is always a colour to match the rest of your interior.

What’s more, we look beyond just the steps: do you want (or need) to renovate the balusters, stringers and banister as well? That’s possible too! This will leave your entire staircase looking stunning once again. Your staircase will then be sustainable, safe and an eye-catching feature that complements the rest of your interior, all in one go.

Are you thinking of renovating your staircase? Please get in touch so we can arrange an appointment with our advisor. He’ll be happy to discuss the options for a staircase renovation with you and your partner, if you have one.