Stairs Staining & Refinishing Etobicoke

Old stairs in Etobicoke homes have stories. Decades of family life, pets, everything. Long Branch, Mimico, Islington – we’ve refinished stairs everywhere. Most are solid oak underneath all that wear. Just need proper work. Sand them smooth, stain them fresh, finish them right. Lake humidity affects wood, so we use products that handle it. Vintage stairs from the 60s and 70s are usually built better than new ones anyway. Just need love. Makes old homes feel updated without the huge renovation cost.

new stairs staining with white stringers and risers Etobicoke

Why Choose Paint Lions For Stairs Staining

In 15 years of painting business we’ve seen it all, from colors not matching at all even though they tried to match it to the floor, to all walls messed up with stain drips and fingerprints.

Why choose Paint Lions for stairs staining? We’re not gonna leave mess behind. Staining stairs not ending with clear coat application it ends with painting, and we finish it the right way. Decided to go with stringers and risers white? Flooring guy who will stain stairs, can definitely do it, will it look professional? Never seen before! Edges looks too thick from too much caulking, paint all over top of tread and total look of stairs is ruined.

I will hire flooring guy to stain my stairs, and painting company to finish with painting part, you might say. True! If you want to spend more, not save.

Experience matters – We have 15 years of experience and have witnessed many poorly executed staining jobs, including colour mismatches, drips, and fingerprints.
Staining requires painting expertise – Properly finishing stairs involves both staining and painting (especially for white stringers and risers), not just applying clear coat.
Flooring professionals may not deliver quality painting – While flooring contractors can stain stairs, their painting work often looks unprofessional with issues like excessive caulking and paint on treads.
Using one company saves money – Hiring separate contractors for staining and painting costs more than using a single painting company that can handle both tasks properly.

New Stairs Staining

Staining stairs enhances the natural beauty of wood and gives it an irresistible appeal. Paint Lions offers professional stair staining services for new staircases. Our team has an eye for detail and never loses sight of your vision. Crown your new staircase in your custom home or addition with beautiful staining that seals the deal.

Stairs Refinishing

Scratches and dents are signs of a well-worn staircase. As time goes on, staining colour fades and imperfections begin to stand out more. Paint Lions will give your staircase the attention it needs with outstanding staircase refinishing that renews its appeal and protects the wood from further damage.

Stair Staining Procedures

First, whether dealing with new or old stairs, we need to take a floor sample to the stain manufacturer to match the stain color. This process takes up to 10 business days.

We start by carefully removing any protective coverings and staples your stairs. Next, we sweep and clean the stairs, making sure it’s free of any dirt and debris. Then we fill all dents and damages on your staircase with wood filler to ensure a smooth surface.

We use a dustless system for sanding along with a palm sander connected to our vacuum to sand the stairs and nosings. This step is crucial to smooth out any rough areas and remove any water or stains.

This part starts with staining the stairs and to achieve the best results, we make sure to follow the wood grain. After the stain is dry, we apply the first coat of varnish evenly across the stairs. Once the first coat is dry, we sand the surface to ensure a smooth finish, then clean off any dust.
Lastly, we apply a second even coat of varnish to protect and finish the stairs.

For existing old stairs, the refinishing procedures follow a similar process. We start by removing the railings and pickets. Next, the old finish is sanded down to bare wood then we follow the same staining and varnishing process.

Our Latest Projects

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FAQs

Staining focuses on changing or refreshing the colour, while refinishing includes full sanding, fixing defects, and rebuilding a durable clear-coat system. We’ll recommend the right approach based on your stair condition and goals.

Yes. We plan access, drying time, and safe walk-through options so your household can still function. We’ll explain exactly what to expect each day.

Dry time depends on the product system and conditions, but the finish typically dries quickly and continues curing over several days. We’ll give you clear “do’s and don’ts” so the coating stays flawless.

Pricing depends on stair count, old finish removal, repairs, and the stain/clear coat system. As a general reference, older stairs are often around $250 per step and new installs are often around $150 per step.

Contact Paint Lions for a custom quote.

Most regular home stair projects take about 4–5 days. That timeline allows for proper sanding, stain work, and building protective coats that hold up to daily traffic.

Yes, close matching is possible with samples and adjustments. If we’re matching existing floors, we may send samples to our supplier, which can take around 10 business days for accurate colour work.

Yes. Problem layers like glue or old coatings must be removed for a clean, even stain. We handle that during prep so the colour and finish come out consistent.

We typically use water-based, low-VOC products and keep ventilation in mind. We’ll also give simple guidance so your family and pets stay comfortable while the finish dries and cures.