Renovate indoor stairs like this?

[snowjim]

Hello,

We have an old trellis staircase in Furu like so many others. Ours is closer to 50 years old and needs modernization.





My plan is to renovate it as follows:

1. Take down the trellises that can be unscrewed and miter cut them
   
   
   
2. Sand, putty, prime (block) trellises and stringer and paint 2-3 coats white. Some trellises and stringer will be processed on site while others are processed in another location.
3. Install finished steps in EK
   
   
   
   
4. Replace all screws which currently look like this:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The idea is to replace them with something like this but as regular screws (not handrail screws):
   
   
   
5. Reinstall finished trellises
6. Install a new handrail both upstairs and in the staircase. The idea is also to put a handrail on each side of the staircase. What type of handrail I don't know but maybe something like this:
   
   
   
   If not round. Regardless, it will probably be a bit tricky to assemble them at joints or similar.

When it comes to the financial part, the steps will likely be the most expensive, they cost 590 kr each without processing so about 8000 kr. In general, handrails seem to cost around 500 kr for 230 cm, so maybe 4000 kr. Primer (block) and paint from, for example, Jotun Lady should be around 1000. Small cost for moldings. All in all, it might end up around 12,000 - 15,000 kr.

Time: I envision something like this

Day 1: Dismantle trellis, sand everything, including stringers with a machine.
Day 2: Apply primer and hopefully at least 1 coat of paint.
Day 3: Remaining coats of paint, let dry.
Day 4: Reinstall trellis.
Day 5: Install handrails.

The work is completely new to me so there are quite a few questions that need answers.

1. Above all, does the plan seem reasonable? Anything I should keep in mind?
2. Which handrails would you use and how would you attach them?
   
3. Finished handrails are mostly sold in lengths of 230-250 cm, how do you join them nicely?
   
4. Where can you find "modern" screws to attach trellises? I haven't found any at Hornbach or Bauhaus.
   
5. What putty should be used?
   
6. How smooth should the surface be sanded? Which paper?
7. How many coats of paint should be applied?
   
8. Should I remove the rubber mat from the steps?
9. What do you think about the miter cutting of the trellis, does it seem reasonable?

 

[Åsa Lund]

Why not install a new railing with vertical steel pins and an overlying oak board on top of the floor upstairs?
Or a glass railing?
Remove all the trellis.

 

[vectrex]

I don't know what machines you have access to and whether the budget is tight. But if you want to save money, you can buy oiled oak parquet and make your own stair nosings and backs. However, this requires access to a table saw and preferably a hand router as well. I did this many years ago and it was much cheaper than ready-made steps, looks as nice today as when it was new (well, it could probably use a sanding and some oil).

With the machinery I have today, I could manufacture my own cladding steps from solid oak for under 100 per piece.

 

[Mats-S]

I don't understand what you're doing ... if you want a completely new staircase, order a new staircase, there's an unlimited selection so you'll definitely find the right one. But ... fussing around with screw appearance, colors, etc. ... drop that project. Just keep it as it is instead and preserve the house as it was intended.

 

[snowjim]

Why not install a new railing with vertical steel pins and an overlying oak board on top of the floor upstairs?
Or a glass railing?
Remove all the lattice

We looked at those options initially, but anything involving stairs is unfortunately really expensive. We estimated it would easily end up costing 20,000 - 40,000 SEK.

The stairs will of course need a major renovation later on, but for the next 5-10 years other things will be prioritized.

The solution we are considering now will involve a much lower cost, and the stairs will at least feel more modern in the coming years.

 

[Mats-S]

The solution we have in mind now will involve a much lower cost and the staircase will at least feel more modern in the coming years.

no hardly more "modern" ... but the risk is that after your interventions it won't even be in harmony with the rest of the house and the era it is designed for ...
This just feels like a "quick and dirty fix", better to keep the original design which is probably in harmony with the rest of the house?

 

[snowjim]

I don't know what machines you have access to and whether the budget is tight. But if you want to do it cheaply, you can buy oiled oak parquet and make your own stair nosings and back pieces. However, this requires access to a table saw and preferably a hand router. I did this many years ago and it turned out much cheaper than finished steps, looks just as nice today as when it was new (well, it would probably need sanding and some oil).

With the machinery I have today, I could make custom clad steps from solid oak for under 100 bucks each.

Yes, I've considered that too, looked at thinner oak parquet, and the price was much cheaper. I have a miter saw, circular saw, jigsaw, sander, drill driver, etc., so it should be possible to manage.

The downside is that each step doesn't look like a single board but rather several small ones.

 

[snowjim]

...

Calm down, we can probably agree that we don't share the same opinion on this.

Personally, I think this renovated staircase:

is much more modern/attractive compared to this:


We renovated the hallway a couple of years ago, but there was no time then to spruce up the staircase.

A staircase is quite expensive to replace, so it's not uncommon to choose to renovate the existing one, and most people I've read about are satisfied with the result.

So what we will do (if it's not clear) is to renovate the existing staircase. When it will be replaced will have to be seen over time, but we're probably talking about 10 years anyway.

 

[Mats-S]

Would rather spend the money/time on a new staircase instead of some half-measure with a bit of white paint...
Also, it looks like you still have the needle felt carpet on all the steps (correct me if I'm wrong)... just getting rid of that is worth a new staircase ;-)

 

[Argastesnickaren]

I have sanded and painted an oak staircase in a house from the 60s (I lacquered the steps and the stair nose, the rest is white paint). It turned out really nice, although it was quite a tedious job. Now, I'm meticulous, but I probably spent around 50-60 hours, yet the cost was only around a thousand kronor total. I also made a new handrail in my own design. So go ahead, but expect it to take longer than you think.

 

[Pontusand]

How did the project turn out?

I'm considering something similar, buying oak steps and sanding and painting the rest white/gray. (Gray if my girlfriend gets to decide)

With the difference that I "only" have three standing wooden railing posts and glass in between. However, this would be in two places, both horizontally on the upper floor and 45 degrees further down on the stairs. See the picture, you can glimpse the stroller which is a big reason why something needs to be done about the stairs.

I have double sets of glass and wood details since one side of the upper floor was converted into a wall when we were moving in. (1.5 story built in 1998)

I've been considering black iron and oak handrail but want a wooden end piece to attach the baby gate, so I might as well install the glass and save a lot of money.

Then I'll have to replace the handrail with oak, haven't found any piece yet that doesn't need splicing but I guess that's something one has to accept.

It would be interesting to hear how it went and if there is any feedback for my project. How much time could it take? I have an orbital sander and will get a triangle or delta sander for the finer work. I plan to attach the wooden posts on the outside with through M12 or similar, possibly French screws. Also, potentially supplement with angle irons if it doesn’t feel stable. And attach to the end board of the wooden wall as well.

I tried to get a stair company here but it was a no-go due to Corona, but if they manage the stair treads one should be able to assemble the stairs oneself. My girlfriend is keen on painting and wants to freshen up the stairs, I work full-time and commute 1.5 hours every weekday. The stairs are in the middle of the house near the kitchen and I'm a bit afraid of sanding dust, but I hope the robot vacuum can handle the fine work, and the central vacuum and extractor on the sander will take care of most of it.

 

[snowjim]

Unfortunately, we haven't progressed any further; it's on hold right now.

But there are 2 options for us:

1. Replace all wood with oak and simultaneously tweak the design slightly to a thinner and more streamlined version of the existing ones. I want to believe that this could create a staircase that looks relatively modern but above all is less likely to go out of style. The downside is that oak is not easy to source from regular builders' merchants, so I think it's some type of sawmill you need to turn to. If the price is reasonable, I would think this would be our first choice.

2. Dismantle, sand, prime, and paint white by hand step by step. A much bigger job that might not make the staircase the most modern in the neighborhood but still a good direction for a cheap price.

In both options, there are oak railings and oak steps. I imagine that the steps shouldn't be parquet; I would rather not have slats but whole planks if possible.

In your case, it doesn't seem to be as much work as in my case How do you find the glass? Don't you have to clean it often if you have children? An acquaintance advised us to go with glass throughout the staircase, and even though it is modern and airy, I suspect it would involve a lot of window cleaning.

 

[Pontusand]

Okay, yes, some projects you need to ponder for a long time. I have drawn hundreds of versions of an extension and finally feel finished!

I don't think glass and kids are an impossible combination, because otherwise the glass-enclosed sunroom is even more glass to "play" with. I also have a Kärcher window vac that makes window cleaning smoother.

Glass might be a good option for you too. I have requested a quote for 6mm safety glass, and a pane of about 1300 x 830 would cost around 4000 SEK. It will be placed near floor level, and if there is a large level difference, you would need to go up one safety level.

I have acquired a mouse sander and clamps and borrowed an orbital sander. Measuring, pondering, and will see where this project ends up on the priority list.

It also leads to sanding and painting the upstairs railing so it matches, but I can remove and sand it outdoors, which means at least some sanding dust stays outside.

How long can this take? Does anyone have feedback and can inspire the thread starter?

 

[ErikB89]

I sanded and painted our stairs.
They were only 10 years old, but they were stained/varnished dark in a really outdated color.

Sanding took about 6 hours (No banister or similar).
Priming and three regular layers of paint took about 8 more hours + waiting time.
I think it turned out really well, I also added gray stair mats.

If you have the energy and time, go for it, but I think it's a bit overkill, just sanding and painting is time-consuming enough and makes it look completely different.

 

[Lillsafo]

Then comes us 90's kids who are buying houses and sigh over having to sand off all the white paint previous generations applied, thinking that all the oak wood everywhere feels quite outdated. I'm more team let the staircase match the year the house was built.