Stairs Staining & Refinishing Markham

Busy households mean worn stairs. Markham homes see a lot of traffic. We refinish stairs from Unionville to Cornell. Builder-grade oak from the 2000s shows wear fast. Older homes have better wood but outdated colors. Either way, refinishing fixes it. Sand down the damage, apply fresh stain, seal it properly. Looks new again. Takes a few days depending on how many stairs. Way cheaper than replacement. We’ve done hundreds of staircases around Markham. Know what finishes hold up to real life here.

new stairs staining with white stringers and risers Markham

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

In most cases, yes. If the wood is in good shape, we can sand it down and apply a new stain system so the staircase looks refreshed without the cost of replacement.

We use professional sanding methods and focus on keeping the area clean throughout the process. Some dust is unavoidable with wood refinishing, but we work to minimize it and tidy up daily.

We recommend waiting until the finish is fully cured before covering the surface. In most cases, plan for about five days so the coating reaches full hardness and resists marking.

Per-step pricing depends on prep time, old finish removal, repairs, stain goals, and protective coats. As a 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.

It depends on the home layout and access needs. Most projects take 4–5 days, and we’ll choose the safest approach so you understand exactly when the stairs can be used.

Yes. We can create stain samples and adjust the tone to get the look you want. If you’re matching existing floors, sampling and supplier testing can take around 10 business days.

Those areas can show through stain if not handled correctly. We address problem spots during prep so the surface is uniform before staining and sealing.

We focus on a clean setup and typically use low-odour, water-based products. We’ll also provide ventilation and access tips so your home stays comfortable during the work.