Painting staircase?

mattspenc

Hi all, I have question. We live in a house built in the 1920s and are currently remodeling a lot of it. We just finished the bathroom and front room and I am in the process of installing laminate flooring on the first floor. Having ripped up the carpet, I decided to pull the carpet from the staircase as well. The wood underneath is pretty beat up, but I think it can be sanded down.

What we want to do is eventually paint the stairs. We want to paint the treads and handrail black, and the risers and spindles white.

So my question is, what is he best way to do this? Is it simply a matter of sanding the wood down so that it's smooth then painting it? At what point do I need to consider having a new set of stairs installed? (How beat up can they be?) What would the potential cost of putting in MDF stairs be? (Since we are painting, if I put in new stairs, no need to buy expensive hardwoods right?)

Anything else I might need to consider? All thoughts and input is appreciated!

mae-ling

Paint alternate steps so you can still walk up and down as they are wet

BigJim

MDF is not a good product to use on stairs especially the treads. Paint on treads will wear quickly and look bad soon. Also if using paint don't go with a gloss as it is very dangerous because it is slick and can cause a fall.

How a stairs looks is more a preference unless it is a code issue. Also if you change anything on your stairs, chances are you will have to bring it up to code and then you may as well replace the treads also while changing the rail spindles and posts.

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Jim

tony.g

Might look like a pedestrian crossing. Is it safe to have such a colour contrast between the treads and risers of a staircase?

mattspenc

http://yourhomeonlybetter.com/painti...faqs-and-tips/

This is what we are wanting to do. Ii wanted additional input besides what is listed in the link from anyone who has experience or input.

BigJim

It does look better than I though it would. Maybe you could use deck paint or epoxy on the treads, if you find the treads are slick just all a sand like additive for the front edge of the treads.

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Jim

mae-ling

runner down the center of the steps?

Millertyme

I doubt that is paint though. It is more likely a very dark stain

Windows

SHerwin Williams makes a waterbased industrial grade floor paint that is very good - Armorseal Treadplex. It meets the ADA guidelines for slip resistance even though it has a semi-gloss finish and and has great anti abrasion properties too. As stated above, you definitely want to add a further slip resistance substance to the paint - they are available in paint stores - they are like a very fine sand and while they cannot really be detected in the paint film, they help give grip.

Startingover

deleted - posted in wrong place