Stair refinishing in Miami and South Florida
Treads, risers, rails and landings brought back to a finish that holds up to daily traffic, with dust control on every job. Free written estimates for homes, condos and commercial spaces.
Stairs take more abuse than almost any other surface in a home. Every trip up and down wears the same few inches of each tread, and it shows: dulled finish down the center, scuffed edges, a nose that's starting to round over from years of feet catching it the same way. Refinishing brings that wear back to a clean, even finish without tearing the whole staircase out and starting over.
We work on treads, risers, rails, balusters and landings, whether that means sanding and restaining a solid staircase that's just tired looking or replacing individual treads that have gone past the point sanding can fix.
Step by step
Walkthrough and assessment
We check every tread, riser and rail for structural condition, not just surface wear, since a squeaky or springy tread points to a bigger problem than the finish.
Protecting the surrounding area
Since stairs usually run through the center of a home, we seal off the work area and cover adjoining floors before any sanding starts.
Replacing damaged treads
Any tread that's cracked, split or structurally worn gets replaced rather than sanded, since sanding a damaged tread doesn't fix what's wrong underneath.
Sanding
Treads and risers are sanded down to bare wood to remove the old finish and level out scuffs and wear before anything new goes on.
Stain or paint
We apply the stain or paint you've chosen in the number of coats the product calls for, with drying time between each one.
Sealing and cleanup
A protective topcoat goes over the finish for durability against daily foot traffic, and the area is cleaned before we walk it with you.
Stain or paint, refinish or replace
Stain and paint each trade off differently on a staircase that gets used every day. Stain shows the wood grain and tends to look more like a natural, built in feature of the house, but scuffs and traffic wear show through a stained finish more visibly over time. Paint covers imperfections in the wood and opens up more color choices, but it chips at high wear points like the tread nose sooner than stain does and needs touch up more often. Neither is the wrong answer. It comes down to the look you want and how much upkeep you're willing to do.
Whether a tread gets refinished or replaced comes down to what's actually wrong with it. Surface wear, light scratches and a dated finish are all things sanding and a new coat can fix. A tread that's cracked, split, spongy underfoot or visibly sagging has a structural problem that refinishing won't solve, and that tread needs to come out and be replaced instead. Mixing new and old treads on the same staircase is common and looks intentional once everything is finished in a matching stain or color.
What affects the cost
We don't post prices online because every staircase is different. These are the factors that actually move the number, and they're the same things we walk through in person before writing your estimate.
- Number of steps and landingsA longer staircase with multiple landings takes more sanding, more material and more time.
- Refinish versus replacementReplacing damaged treads costs more than sanding and refinishing sound ones.
- Stain versus paintEach finish type uses different products and coat counts, which changes labor and material cost.
- Rails and balusters includedRefinishing or replacing rails and balusters adds scope beyond just the treads and risers.
- Current conditionA staircase with heavy wear or structural issues takes more prep work than one that's just cosmetically dated.
- Access and protection neededStairs in the center of an occupied home need more containment and dust control than one in a standalone space.
When to call someone in
A single scuffed step or a small touch up is manageable for a confident homeowner with the right sandpaper and stain. A full staircase, any tread with a structural issue, or a finish you want to match to existing flooring is where we'd tell you to bring in a pro. Sanding a staircase evenly without leaving swirl marks or an uneven finish takes practice, and stairs get walked on daily the moment the job is done, so a rushed cure or an uneven coat shows up fast.
Stairs from real jobs
Stair refinishing across South Florida
We refinish stairs in homes throughout the following areas.
Stair refinishing, answered
Should I stain or paint my stairs?
Stain shows off the wood grain and reads as a more traditional finish, but it shows scuffs and wear over time more visibly than paint does. Paint hides imperfections in the wood and gives more color options, but it can chip on high traffic edges and needs touch up sooner. We talk through both during the walkthrough.
Do the treads need to be replaced, or can they be refinished?
A tread with surface wear, light scratches or a dated finish can usually be sanded down and refinished. A tread that's cracked, split, spongy or structurally worn needs to be replaced rather than refinished, since sanding won't fix a structural problem.
How much dust does stair refinishing create?
Sanding a staircase produces fine dust, since a stair runs through the middle of a home more than a single room does. We use dust control practices and contain the work area so the mess stays where we're working instead of settling throughout the house.
Can you match the new finish to my existing flooring?
Yes. We bring stain samples to match against your existing hardwood or trim so the stairs read as part of the same floor rather than a separate project.
Do you replace stair rails and balusters too?
Yes. Rails, balusters and landings can be refinished or replaced along with the treads and risers, either as part of the same visit or as a standalone project.
How long do I need to stay off the stairs after refinishing?
Plan on light foot traffic only for at least 24 hours after the final coat, and no socks or bare feet on some finishes until fully cured. We'll give you the exact wait time for the product used on your stairs.
Often paired with this job
Free estimate for stair refinishing
Tell us about your stairs and the finish you're picturing, and we'll follow up to schedule a walkthrough.
754.900.8247