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Stairwell paint ideas


15 ways to make it a focal point with paint |

(Image credit: Future)

Stair paint ideas can transform a functional necessity into an eye-catching feature. Painting the stairs themselves is an opportunity to introduce the color and detail you might otherwise get from a carpet or stair runner, and the balusters, handrail, newel, and stringer, along with the stair wall, all offer a canvas for paint.

Painting the stairs offers the opportunity for creativity as part of your hallway ideas, or can simply give the staircase a sophisticated as well as neat finish, and the right paint can prove a durable finish with lasting good looks.

Set the tone for the rest of your home with the paint ideas in our selection.

Stair paint ideas

Stair paint ideas can use paint on areas such as the risers, treads, the newel, baluster and handrail, parts such as the stringers at either side, and on any wall alongside in any combination you prefer for your staircase ideas. 

Explore our top 15 stair paint ideas below for some handy tips and inspiration.

1. Elevate an all white scheme

(Image credit: David Giles)

If you want to subtly enhance an all white scheme on a landing or in a hallway, adding a splash of paint to your staircase is a great way to add color and personality. 

Picking colors that you have already used in other rooms in the home is a good place to start as it creates a cohesive look. However, the stairs are also the perfect place to be adventurous; using bold, vibrant colors you may have stayed away from in other rooms will create a unique focal point and design feature.

In this home, the bright red handrail injects a pop of color to an all white scheme. A simple yet effective touch, the red paint perfectly coordinates with the colored frames and artwork, creating a playful, eye-catching design.

2. Paint the paneling

(Image credit: Future)

Painting the paneling on a staircase will add a modern twist to this traditional feature and decorative technique. 

There are many stair paneling ideas, but a fresh coat of paint is guaranteed to elevate this often overlooked area of the home. Whether you choose to be bold or subtle, enhancing the paneling on your staircase with paint is an easy way to transform the space. 

3. Create a tiled effect

(Image credit: Jan Baldwin)

A simple way to achieve the same beautiful effect as a sleek tiled staircase, why not get creative and use paint to create intricate patterns and tile shapes on your stairs. 

In this scheme, the beautiful mosaic tile pattern creates an inviting, Mediterranean feel, with the paint design complementing the blue patterned wallpaper and green accents. Perfect for entryway tile ideas, this unique tiled effect makes the stairs become a central, eye-catching focal point in the room.

4. Connect the stairs to the rest of the home 

(Image credit: Philip Lauterbach)

As discussed, the stairway can often be overlooked when decorating the home. An area that physically connects you to other rooms and spaces, make sure that this connection is reflected through your design and paint choices also.  

In this beautiful hallway, the classic combination of white and blue creates an inviting, harmonious entrance area. Taking the paint to the stairs and linking them to the hallway and beyond creates a cohesive and sophisticated look. Using a simple palette of colors will help to create a design of timeless elegance.

5. Use all one color

(Image credit: Future)

By using just one paint color on your stairs you can make your staircase both blend in and stand out. It then allows you to inject other colors and textures through decorative items and accessories. 

The fresh white paint used here on the landing and staircase creates a united, relaxing atmosphere. Matching your stairs with the same paint that is on your floorboards in other connecting rooms is guaranteed to create a clean and united look.

Opting for tonal colors will also create a similar effect, for more color inspiration for your stair paint ideas, see our color wheel guide.

6.

Introduce individual detail

(Image credit: JL Design)

Wondering how to decorate a staircase? Fret not, these stair paint ideas can add personality to a functional part of the home. 

‘As a designer, I absolutely love adding special details to staircases and creating interest to what is usually just a means of egress,’ says Jessica Davis, principal designer of JL Design .  

‘When my two boys were just two and three and learning to count, as well as learning to manage stairs, I decided to add numbers to the stairs to help make the climb fun and educational. This can be easily achieved with a stencil and paint or a decal.’

7. Use paint for a feature staircase wall

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

Paint can be used to focus attention on a paneled staircase wall to make it even more of a feature whether the paneling extends alongside an entire flight or is part of a landing area. In this home, a dark hue – Smokestack Gray from Benjamin Moore – gives the scheme modern credentials.

The risers of the staircase itself have been painted in soft Distant Gray to lighten its effect while leaving the rich dark wood of treads and landing on show.

8. Go dark for drama

(Image credit: Benjamin Johnston Design )

White is a classic hallway paint finish for staircases and the stair wall, but consider making a statement with a dark shade instead.

‘We clad this entry hall and staircase (as well as the area under the stairs) in a paneled wood design for durability and style,’ says Benjamin Johnston of Benjamin Johnston Design . ‘Because the 25 foot voluminous entry hall has a sweep of windows, the area is flooded with natural light which means we could opt for a darker, richer hue. 

‘We coated the room in Sherwin-Williams Storm Cloud (SW 6249) which transforms from gray to blue gray to blue throughout the day as the light changes. We also continued this color on the risers of the stairs to maintain consistency.’ 

9. Use paint to create pattern

(Image credit: Crown Paints)

Using a stair runner or carpet isn’t the only way to bring pattern to a staircase; paint can be employed to impressive effect.

‘Using stencils, you can paint stripes of different sizes to achieve a simple and playful feature,’ says Kathryn Lloyd, Crown color consultant.

‘I’d recommend using neutral tones as a base, and injecting a pop of color with versatile shades such as greens or blues. Blue, in particular, will create a relaxing atmosphere in the entrance of the home, thanks to its light and feathered look.’

10. Contrast stairs with a runner

(Image credit: Roger Oates)

If you’re using a runner, think stair paint ideas that can make it pop for an attention-grabbing result. In this hallway both stair treads and risers are painted in black to create contrast with the green runner.

Choosing this shade of paint also links the staircase with the the patterned tile of the hallway floor with the staircase’s white spindles, newel and handrail repeating the second shade of the tile.

11. Alternate paint shades

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

Looking for stair paint ideas that are elegant as well as creative? Be inspired by this design from Benjamin Moore where the two gray shades used above and below the dado in the hall are repeated on alternate risers of the staircase.  

White for the treads and the trim provides a crisp finish between the two modern shades which give a fresh twist to a traditional hallway.

12. Add a highlight

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Choose stair paint ideas that introduce a decorative surprise. In this hallway, painting a bold orange stripe with authentic 1970s credentials just above the white stringer of the staircase provides a vibrant highlight that draws the eye to the staircase, including the elegant and ornate balusters through which the color appears.

Two shades of gray for the staircase wall and its paneling give the beautiful staircase a contemporary twist.

13. Extend the wall color

(Image credit: Dulux)

Create an impactful surround for a staircase that’s enclosed by walls on both sides. On this stairway the golden yellow below-dado color is extended to the stringer to create full-depth color. 

The upper part of the staircase wall, meanwhile, is finished in a grown-up shade of pink for an overall impression of warmth and welcome. The hues are complemented by the rich wood of the treads and risers for a chic result.

14. Match stair paint to the front door

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

Using the same paint shade for the front door and the stair treads and risers creates a pulled-together look for the entrance to a home. A black front door never goes out of style, and the hue is equally handsome on a staircase and teamed with white trim and stair paneling. 

Follow the lead of this hall by leaving a newel post and handrail in a rich wood unpainted to appreciate their patina.

15. Bring in an accent shade

(Image credit: Dulux)

Clever stair paint ideas can ensure even a relatively compact staircase can pack a decorative punch. This design teams pale wood treads with the classic combination of black – for spindles, posts, handrail, and wall stringer – and a soft white for the risers. But an accent of gentle yellow repeating that of the hall bench for the riser before the flight turns gives the design bags of personality.

What is a good paint color for stairs?

White is a classic paint color for stairs, and a great starting point for your considerations. ‘It’s a finish that will command attention and can emphasize the detail of an elegant staircase,’ says Homes & Gardens editor in chief Lucy Searle. ‘You can also be sure that white stair paint won’t fall out of fashion.

‘Alternatively, consider on-trend choices such as a rich organic green, deep blue, or gray.’

Of course, you can combine colors with different shades on the treads and risers, or create the look of a runner with white on left and right edges of the steps and a colored painted finish running up from the foot of the staircase to the top.

Consider also an ombre effect on the risers, using different shades of a single color. Begin with the darkest shade on the first step, then make the risers successively lighter as the staircase ascends.

Do painted stairs last?

Painted stairs can last well, but it’s vital that the correct paint is used for the project. Stair treads should be painted with floor paint that is designed to stand up to the foot traffic. Select a paint suitable for interior wood for other staircase areas.

Good preparation is crucial before painting. Stairs should be sanded and primed first. More than one coat of paint is required, too.

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator.  

25 Pretty Painted Stair Ideas

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Runners are overrated.

By Hannah Morrill

Courtesy

There are many reasons why you might paint stairs in your home. For one, if you have original floors that aren't quite sharp enough to live on their own, but have way too much character to replace entirely. Or maybe the carpeted runner look is starting to look tired. A durable painted stairway is also a great option for high-traffic areas, like farmhouses, entryways or summer homes. Ahead are 25 painted stairs that have entirely transformed the utilitarian zone.

Richard Powers

1 of 25

In Marrakech, a painting by Roger Sandes, Samuel Dowe-Sandes'
father, and a brass console by Popham+ accent an entry. The sconces are by Peau d’Ane, the stairs are painted concrete, and the ceiling is whitewashed cedar beams.

Alyssa Rosenheck

2 of 25

In this Cape Cod in Connecticut, three bands of white paint on unfinished wood works like a runner in a shiplap-lined stairway.

Douglas Friedman

3 of 25

Ricardo Labougle

4 of 25

In a London townhouse, cool gray gloss stairs are topped with a sari silk runner.

Dominique Vorillon

5 of 25

Designer Designer Kerry Joyce painted the steps of a staircase in playful ocean-green Bezique by Pratt & Lambert Paints for an actress's family home in Malibu, California. The sconce and surfboard tied to the ceiling reiterate the home's lighthearted, seaside vibe.

Douglas Friedman

6 of 25

Alyssa Rosenheck

7 of 25

In this Memphis home, the stair treads are kept a russet stain while the risers are painted a crisp white.

Bjorn Wallander

8 of 25

A high-gloss gray blue white stairway in a timber farmhouse by D Aquino Monaco, Inc.

Thomas Kuoh

9 of 25

In this Silicone Valley home by Niche interiors, low VOC green gray paint was used to cover a curving staircase.

Howie Guja

10 of 25

In this white-washed Hampton's home, gray blue stairs set off gray white walls.

Caroline Lizarraga

11 of 25

Narrow stairs painted in a blue faux marble pattern by Suzanne Childress Design.

Sara Essex Bradley

12 of 25

White painted risers, deep wood treads on this curved stairway designed by Eclectic Home.

Tria Giovan, CTC&G

13 of 25

Design by Ken Gemes Interiors opted for black treads, white risers, and a slim black runner.

Rupert Bevan

14 of 25

A staircase painted in patinated brass by Rupert Bevan Ltd.

Centered by Design

15 of 25

In a stairway by Centered by Design, risers are white, treads are deep mahogany, and the walls are painted in swirled yellow marble pattern.

Frank Oudeman

16 of 25

An all-black staircase in a Park Avenue duplex by DE-SPEC.

Karyn Millet

17 of 25

A white-washed rear staircase in a colonial home by Tim Barber Ltd.

Costas Picadas

18 of 25

In this Connecticut stairway by Fawn Galli Interiors, risers are white and treads are blue with a wide black stripe painted down the center of both.

Brittany Griffin for Sherwin Williams/Brit + Co

19 of 25

For a partnership between Brit + Co and Sherwin-Williams, high traffic stair treads were kept unpainted, while the risers were outfitted in Fun Yellow SW 6908, Azalea Flower SW 6576 and High Reflective White SW 7757.

Brittany Griffin for Sherwin Williams/Brit + Co

20 of 25

For a partnership between Brit + Co and Sherwin-Williams, a gridlike pattern was created on the risers in Mythical SW 6550.

Brittany Griffin for Sherwin Williams/Brit + Co

21 of 25

For a partnership between Brit + Co and Sherwin-Williams, Honorable Blue SW 6811 was used on the highest step, with increasing amounts of High Reflective White SW 7757 mixed in on descending stairs.

Brittany Griffin for Sherwin Williams/Brit + Co

22 of 25

For a partnership between Brit + Co and Sherwin-Williams, a piece of well-placed painters taped allowed this diagonal color block in Sleepy Blue SW 6225.

Brittany Griffin for Sherwin Williams/Brit + Co

23 of 25

For a partnership between Brit + Co and Sherwin-Williams, Youthful Coral SW 6604, Gusto Gold SW 6904, Sleepy Blue SW 6225, and Bunglehouse Blue SW 0048 worked together for these modified rainbow stairs.

Brittany Griffin for Sherwin Williams/Brit + Co

24 of 25

For a partnership between Brit + Co and Sherwin-Williams, a random rainbow was created in Orange SW 6890, Fun Yellow SW 6908, Azalea Flower SW 6576, Honorable Blue SW 6811, BungleHouse Blue SW 0048, Mythical SW 6550, and Real Red SW 6868.

Brittany Griffin for Sherwin Williams/Brit + Co

25 of 25

For a partnership between Brit + Co and Sherwin-Williams, a combination of bright yellow and white add personality to a stairway.

25 Statement Making Carpeted Staircases

Hannah Morrill Contributor Hannah Morrill is a writer and editor based in Portland, Maine.

90,000 how and what to paint the ladder to the second floor: ideas and instructions

Content


Any stair structure needs to be updated from time to time. And given that the staircase is also an element of the interior, it is extremely important to choose the right paint and varnish. Consider the most popular paintwork materials, and also analyze how to paint the stairs to the second floor without involving specialists.

Tips for choosing a coloring agent

Before you start to act, you need to mentally draw a picture for yourself, which should turn out in the end. This will help you choose the right paint or varnish. When choosing a tool, you must also take into account the advice of professionals:

What can and should be used to cover a wooden staircase

When you enter a building materials store, you start to get lost. Therefore, it is important to know not only the types of these products, but also their features. The most common options for paintwork for painting stairs are:

Paints

Today there are 3 types:

  1. Alkyd. These enamels are non-toxic. Their advantages are that they dry in a short time and protect the wood from fungi, mold due to the presence of antiseptics in the composition. A ladder covered with alkyd paint is not afraid of any mechanical damage. In terms of cost, these dyes are quite democratic and have a wide range of colors.
  2. Acrylic. Their advantages are the absence of a pungent odor, high drying speed, non-toxicity, long service life, wide palette of shades. Acrylic coating does not fade in the sun and allows the material to "breathe".
  3. Oily. This type of paint for a wooden staircase in a house is not ideal. The advantages include low cost and low cost of funds. The reverse side of the medal is low wear resistance, the presence of harmful substances in the composition, and a long drying time. In general, we do not recommend.

Varnishes

Varnishes are used to enhance the natural beauty of wood. When choosing the appropriate type, pay attention to the features of the material of construction and the conditions of its operation. Lacquer coatings, like paints, come in several varieties:

  1. Alcoholic. This coating protects the stairs from biological and mechanical damage. But its significant drawback is the low degree of moisture resistance. Therefore, it is better to use it as a base layer, to give the tree the desired shade.
  2. Alkyd and alkyd-urethane. They are used for outdoor and indoor structures. A hard transparent film with a subtle tint serves as a reliable barrier against moisture and other negative factors.
  3. Formaldehyde. The design will become more resistant to wear. The resins included in the composition improve the adhesion of the varnish to the wood. The only drawback is toxicity and a characteristic odor that quickly disappears, but requires wearing a respirator during application.
  4. Polyester. After hardening, they form a solid, durable film that protects the stairs from moisture and other negative influences. If you want to make your design shine, use polyester varnish.
  5. Epoxy. These are two-component solutions that are used with hardeners. They prevent the destruction of the structure under the influence of moisture, alkalis and provide it with mechanical strength.
  6. Polyurethane. They are distinguished by a high degree of wear and resistance to mechanical stress. The high price of varnish is justified by a long service life and high performance.
  7. Yachting. Hard and durable lacquer coating has good elasticity. This means that when the structure is deformed, the varnish layer does not peel off or crack. Due to its composition, yacht varnish is distinguished by wear resistance, good resistance to fungi, increased resistance to UV rays, and moisture resistance.

Mordants

This type of impregnation is characterized by antiseptic properties. Lacquer is often applied over the stain as an additional layer. But at the same time, you need to pay attention to the compatibility of these funds.

Under the influence of the stain, the natural color of the wood becomes more saturated, and the texture of the wood becomes more contrasting.

Wood stairs are best treated with an oil or wax based impregnation. Sometimes the composition of the stain may include a dye that gives the material a certain color.

Color recommendations

The palette of possible colors is very diverse and depends on the taste preferences of the owner of the house or cottage. But first of all, you need to build on the style of the interior.

Staircase can be of any shade, from muted to bright radiant colors. But most often they prefer a monochromatic color.

But sometimes there are more original designs, including up to five shades. They often experiment with contrasting colors, painting steps in one tone, and railings and handrails in another. It looks very impressive and unbanal.

In order to avoid mistakes when choosing a color, the following recommendations should be taken into account:

Finishing softwood stairs

Pine stairs differ from beech, larch, oak or other types of wood in that they require additional processing.

Before finishing a pine wooden staircase inside the house, it is necessary to deresin it for a number of reasons:

  1. The resinous substance protruding from the wood forms a film on the surface of the material, which prevents the paint from penetrating into the fibers. As a result, layers of paint during operation will break off, worsening the condition of the stairs.
  2. Resin areas begin to darken over time.
  3. Coloring substances are deposited unevenly on the resin surface.

Resin removal refers to the process of removing excess resin from a surface. To carry out this procedure, you will need solvents.

For conifers, a 25% acetone solution is ideal. A brush is used to apply it. The surface of the material treated with the solution is washed with warm water and allowed to dry completely. If there are very tarred places on the structure, they should be removed with a knife. The recesses obtained as a result of this are leveled with putty.

To prepare the deresining solution, you need the following ingredients:

Pine wood stairs are painted after the wood is completely dry. As a rule, 1-2 days are enough.

The better to paint a pine staircase

  1. Enamel paints, as well as alkyd and polyurethane yacht varnishes are considered to be the optimal means for coating a pine flight of stairs.
  2. To preserve the beautiful structural pattern of wood, diluted products are used.
  3. To hide defects in the material or give it a new shade, the paint is not diluted before application.
  4. In order for the colorant to lay down in a beautiful even layer, the surface must be cleaned of debris and dust.
  5. Pigmented dyes are used to mask defects on steps.
  6. For previously painted structures, use urethane-alkyd solutions.

Step-by-step instructions for painting stairs

Sometimes specialists from construction companies are used for painting. Of course, they know their business and do the work 100% efficiently, but you will have to fork out a lot for their services.

If you are not ready for this, then you can do everything yourself. Just be extremely careful and follow the instructions clearly:

  1. Before starting work, remove debris, dirt, wipe off dust not only from the structure, but also from the room in which it is located.
  2. Repair any chips or cracks with wood putty.
  3. Let the putty dry completely for 1 day, and then smooth out any imperfections with sandpaper or a sander.
  4. Clean up debris and dust, as even the smallest dust particles will spoil the appearance of the stairs.
  5. Apply 2 coats of primer or stain to stairs at 24-hour intervals.
  6. Before applying paint to the surface of the material, it must be mixed well - this will allow you to break up the clots and lumps formed there.
  7. The dye can be applied with a spray gun, roller or brush. Avoid the formation of hardened droplets of paint.
  8. In order to prevent cracks from forming on the stairs when the dye dries, the air in the room should be moderately humid.

If you are only going to varnish a fresh structure, you do not need to prime the wood. However, if we are talking about an old staircase, then a primer is still necessary. The varnish is applied in at least three layers. At the same time, the product is covered with a new layer after the previous one has dried. Read a detailed article about varnishing stairs.

With these simple steps, you can easily update the stairs.

Stylish options for painting stairs in the interior

How to beautifully paint a wooden staircase to the second floor in a house with your own hands.

Ideas and methods for painting stairs in the house to the second floor Painting wooden stairs in the country

All photos from article

Wood is a wonderful environmentally friendly natural material, it creates a special cozy and warm atmosphere in the house. But in its natural form, the service life of such products is short, and the price of processing stairs by professionals is often frightening. Therefore, more and more people are thinking about how to properly paint a wooden staircase with their own hands.

The specialists of our site have analyzed and collected for you the main recommendations on the technology of work.

The choice of composition for painting

The question of what is the best way to paint a wooden staircase in the house, at the stage of preparation is perhaps the most important. After all, even if you are good at brushing and follow all the steps correctly, a mistake in choosing a composition can nullify all efforts ().

Oil opaque paints are an excellent option if preserving the texture and natural color of the wood is not planned initially. Alkyd formulations are more suitable for pristine wood. Urethane-alkyd paints are commonly used for re-painting and for exterior work.

There are thick and ready-made oil paints. To prepare a thickly grated composition with your own hands, stir the coloring powder with drying oil. For external work, thickly grated compositions are made on natural drying oil, for internal work - on synthetic.

Enamels are most often used for interior work. Here we have a wide palette of colors and a record-breaking drying time.

But such compositions cannot boast of durability. Plus, enamels have a glossy surface, which from a practical point of view is not very suitable for stairs.

Varnishes are the most popular compositions for painting stairs. With their help, you can highlight the texture, preserve the natural color of the material, or vice versa toned the surface.

The range of varnishes is huge and this topic is worthy of a separate article, within the framework of this story, we will only note that alcohol-based compositions are used for rooms. External work is carried out with varnishes based on nitrocellulose.

Impregnations and stains - this is another fairly large group of compounds that provide protection and tinting of wood at the initial stage. You should not neglect them, because it is thanks to them that your ladder will not be interested in all sorts of living creatures. Plus, some impregnations protect the tree from ignition.

Tip: Use polish to give your stairs that unique velvety sheen. It makes no sense to talk about specific compositions, since for each type of paint or varnish, its own type of varnish is produced. Plus, the application instructions may be different.

Work technology

Painting wooden stairs is a relatively simple process and almost everyone can handle it if desired. But a number of important nuances should be taken into account here.

Firstly, each type of wood reacts differently to staining. Secondly, it is important to decide whether you want to keep the natural pattern and color visible, or give the product a different look. Plus, wood needs pre-treatment.

Ladder preparation

Tip: If the staircase has already been painted and you don't know what compound was used, first apply the urethane-alkyd compound you plan to paint with in an inconspicuous area and leave for a couple of days. If the paint lay down without problems, then you can continue, but in the case when the surface is warped, you will have to wash off the old coating or clean it off with a spatula and a building hair dryer.

Softwood work

The price of conifers is perhaps the most affordable. In addition, working with such a board is simple and pleasant, plus this array is quite easy to tint, giving it the look of expensive wood. As a result, a good half of the structures are made from coniferous varieties.

But there is also a significant minus here. All conifers have a high resin content. If it is not removed, then especially tarred places will darken and stand out.

Any coloring or tinting compound will lay down unevenly, some helmets will not be taken on the resin at all.

Resin can be removed completely or partially. For partial processing, a technical acetone solution is quite suitable, 25% of the composition is enough. It should be applied with a brush to the array, then rinse thoroughly with plenty of warm water and dry.

To completely remove the resin, you will need a special composition, which is quite possible to cook with your own hands at home. 50 g of potash and about the same amount of baking soda are added per liter of hot water.

After stirring, 30 - 40 g of laundry soap shavings, 200 g of technical acetone and 10 g of alcohol are poured. After deresining, the board is also washed with warm water and dried.

A wooden ladder can be a great element house interior, as well as bright decoration exterior . The main thing is to choose high-quality and ideal in color design paintwork materials.

What and how to paint do-it-yourself wooden staircase, is it necessary to carry out the staining procedure, are there any special technologies?

You can find answers to all these questions in this article .

Painting a wooden staircase

The whole structure of a wooden staircase, especially its steps and level of wear resistance and, accordingly, needs a good protection .

Stairs, whether inside or outside the house, are subjected to heavy loads every day, so scratches and scuffs (in the absence of proper protection) appear on its surface very fast .

Painting wooden stairs, as well as special compounds - effective is a protective measure that can help extend its useful life. Special materials intended for painting wooden structures provide the opportunity for to minimize intensity of influence of various unfavorable factors:

In addition, wood paint products are endowed with disinfectant properties - they contain substances that resist the appearance of woody pests .

Also included in the composition of the paints are fire-retardant impregnations to reduce the risk of fire in timber structures.

Thus, the painting of a wooden staircase is carried out not only for aesthetic purposes, but also to extend the operational life of the construction period, improving its functional characteristics.

Which color to choose?

Materials, suitable for use:

Paints may form glossy or matt coating, which differ both in appearance and in terms of practicality.

Tip! The surface obtained by painting with a glossy paint is more slippery and unsafe, so it is recommended to choose a matte or semi-gloss type of paint.

Impregnations (tinting varnishes) contain special pigments dissolved in synthetic substances, alcohol or water, which are capable of penetrating deep into the wood, give it the desired color and emphasize naturalness.

Impregnation also forms a thin film on a wooden surface with a glossy finish. The use of impregnation requires the mandatory application of fixative coating - colorless varnish.

Varnishes are best suited for stairs that are located outside premises. At the same time, the basis of the material should contain oil-resin or oil compound. Especially popular is the varnish used for painting ships built from natural wood.

It bears the corresponding name - "yacht" . The material has proven itself as a reliable coating for wooden structures.

Tip! Choose semi-matt or matt varnishes that can hide surface imperfections while retaining their original shine even in areas that are most subject to wear.

How to paint a wooden staircase in a house?

One of the three can be used for interior painting. paint and varnish materials ( paint , varnish , impregnation ) - it all depends on the desired decorative result and main staining purposes, or combine several types of coatings.

For example, you can use an impregnation, on top of which apply a layer of clear varnish. Or fix clear varnish paint. Often occurs confusion between plain paint, enamel and enamel paint.

Enamel does not apply to paints and varnishes, it has a different purpose. Difference between simple paint and enamel lies in the reliability of the coating, the smell of the material and other features (enamel provides more efficient surface protection and odor resistant).

Enamels are recommended only if the ladder is located inside the dry , protected from precipitation. Otherwise, the ladder will soon suffer from excessive moisture.

How to paint a wooden staircase outside?

If you prefer paint, it is better to choose paint based on alkyd, oil, or alkyd-urethane products.

Natural drying oil , which is part of such paints, is known for a higher level of resistance to various damages, both mechanical and atmospheric.

Surface preparation for painting

Before painting needs surface treatment wooden stairs:

Wait until the putty coat is completely dry before sanding (depending on the specific material grade).

After the grinding procedure, it is also necessary to wait some time (no more than 2-3 days ). This is necessary in order for the natural fibers of the wood to become even. and re-sanding could get rid of them.

Necessity in the application of the primer is due to the fact that with its help adhesion between the surface of the stairs and the paint will be much better, and the existing shortcomings will become invisible. The primer is applied only for paint - if varnish is selected as a coating, then is not in it necessary.

How to paint stairs with your own hands?

Recommended paint ladder in disassembled view, but it is also possible to perform the procedure on site if the ladder is already installed . Start painting with small elements ( ends , handrail ).

To make the stairs usable during the painting process, paint every 9 steps instead of the entire staircase.0315 second step. Once dry, paint the remaining steps.

Paint material is applied from the top step towards the bottom. You can apply paint with any convenient tool - roller , brushed etc. A wide brush is best for painting pine stairs.

Last strokes along wood structure. Applying paint is the first step works. When the coating is completely dry, you can proceed to second stage - topcoat application and, optionally, around the stairs.

See instruction video for painting wooden stairs to the second floor:

Having once learned how much it costs to paint a staircase, many decide to master this skill on their own. It is not surprising that all stair work is not cheap, because. to achieve a long-term and beautiful result, they require strict adherence to technology. Having once painted your staircase in the house or on the street, you will gain invaluable experience, thanks to which you will also be able to restore the coating with your own hands after many years. In addition, all painting work with the selection of colors of paint and varnish is quite interesting and does not require special physical strength.

Need to paint stairs

Stairs made of wood, as well as stairs made of metal and other materials, are subject to many external influences, which, if not properly protected, quickly render them unusable. Firstly, these are constant mechanical effects from walking up the stairs and holding the handrails. Not surprisingly, it is the steps and flights of stairs that wear out and get dirty the fastest. It is these areas that need to be given special attention when applying the finish coat. The duration of its use without restoration depends on how to paint the steps of the stairs. Secondly, the ladder, wherever it is, is subject to fluctuations in humidity and temperature, which over time can affect its strength and appearance. If the sun's rays fall on wooden steps, it is also important to protect them from drying out.

How to paint the stairs in the house

When choosing a stair covering, consider the type of wood from which it is made, the color of the wood and the location of the stairs. So, conifers (pine, spruce, fir) tend to emit resins that impair the adhesion of wood to paints and varnishes. Hardwoods are deprived of this property, and there is nothing to fear with them. In addition, the needles non-uniformly absorb the liquid part of the paint or varnish. Looser wood absorbs more, while dense and old wood absorbs less, which is why paints and varnishes must be applied in many layers.

Paints

When choosing what color to paint the stairs, it is worth choosing the shade closest to natural, so as not to spoil the natural appearance of the rock. Choosing what color to paint the stairs, you should decide on the type of paint. Pigmented finishing materials are good because they hide many shortcomings during assembly; a ladder can be putty under them. But, at the same time, many of the external advantages of natural wood are also hidden under a layer of paint.

Provided that the stairs are located inside the house, where there are few adverse effects, oil paints on artificial drying oil or even cellulose coatings will come off. If the staircase is external, you only need paint on natural drying oil. Tikkurila Empire alkyd paint is suitable for painting stairs with your own hands, because. it is easy to apply with a brush. Betolux and Pesto paints also lie evenly on wooden surfaces without smudges. Urethane-alkyd paint Betolux is ideal for previously painted surfaces, but it is not sufficiently resistant to wear with frequent use, and is not suitable for crowded rooms. Pesto alkyd paint is more durable and suitable for damp rooms or rooms that require frequent cleaning, such as a nursery.

Lucky

Colorless varnishes are good because they do not hide, but emphasize the natural texture of wood. Their advantage is also that they dry very quickly and are easy to apply. There are alcohol-based varnishes and nitrocellulose varnishes. The former are a resin in an organic solvent, and are used exclusively for internal stairs, because. the film during hardening of such a coating is not sufficiently frost and moisture resistant. If you plan to varnish a street ladder, use a nitrocellulose material containing colloxylin and plasticizers that strengthen the coating.

The most established varnish manufacturers on the market are Parade and Trae Lyx. German-made Parade lacquer is highly wear-resistant and easy to use due to quick drying. Also, it does not have such a sharp pungent odor as some others. Trae Lyx Dutch lacquers are even more durable and wear resistant, because their solid component is 35%. This property allows them to be easily used to cover the steps of public buildings. This varnish is absolutely transparent, uniformly covers the surface, without changing the degree of gloss at different angles of view. And despite so many advantages, it still has one drawback, namely a long drying time. Full load on the steps can be given only 7 days after application.

Polishes

Steps may still not be finished after varnish or paint has been applied. To make the tree sparkle, shimmer in the sun, it can be covered with varnishes. The color of the varnish is selected to match the color of the wood, but in such a way as not to darken the breed. Polish is applied with a brush or rag, before that the surface is cleaned. Nitro-based polishes are applied only to nitrocellulose varnishes and paints.

Enamels

They both give the desired color to the stairs and protect it from adverse effects due to the formation of a dense film. Enamel is obtained by mixing colorless varnish with pigment. The enamel is applied with an aerosol, and its contents must be thoroughly mixed before spraying. In a calm form, the enamel is a substance of a gel-like consistency. After stirring by shaking, it becomes liquid. Inside the aerosol are special metal balls that shake the material.

Italian enamel Sirca has a high surface strength and resistance to yellowing. Enamels of this brand are produced both glossy and matte. Fast drying in 60 minutes and sufficient working time makes it easy to cover the stairs with such enamel yourself. Swedish varnishes and enamels Synteko have proven themselves well. They are suitable for those who are trying to make their home as environmentally friendly as possible. this company does not add NMP polymers that are harmful to humans in paint and varnish products.

Impregnations

Impregnations such as stain or Pinotex not only give the wood color, they have antiseptic and fire-repellent properties. And on top of them you can apply any finishing varnish. It is best to use oil or wax based impregnations for stairs, especially if you are working with them for the first time. It is these impregnations that can be applied in several layers, without fear of smearing or making a stain, unlike alcohol and nitro impregnations, which are instantly absorbed. Impregnations can be sold in the form of a ready-made solution or powder, which must be diluted with water yourself. In addition, you do not need a spray gun or spray gun to apply the oil stain, it is easy to do with a brush.

How to paint stairs with your own hands

Surface preparation

In order for the surface of the steps to be even, they are puttied and polished. Putties are selected according to the color of the tree. After drying, proceed to grinding with sandpaper or cycles. After the first sanding, a break of several days is taken to allow the pile to rise, and then they are sanded clean. Before applying paint, the surface is primed, applying primer to all surfaces 2 times.

Painting

It is important to know what and how to paint the stairs. It is best to apply paint or stain-type impregnation with a spray gun. There are pneumatic and electric sprayers, with their help the layer is applied more evenly. But if there is no sprayer, you can use ordinary brushes. For thicker, stretchier, slower-drying paints, bristle brushes are preferred. For liquid coatings, flat soft hair brushes are best suited. They are also called flutes. The length of the hair of such a brush should be approximately twice the diameter. To apply thick paint, the length of the bristles should be shorter, and for liquid paints - more. When working, the brush should be held at an angle of 45 degrees to the surface to be coated. To clean the brush of paint at the end of the work, you can dip it in turpentine or a special solvent.

Even experienced craftsmen do not know how to properly paint the stairs, because. the result is always evaluated purely subjectively. Not everyone knows that the coating is applied in 2-3 layers only after the previous one has completely dried. With a brush, the impregnation is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the step so that there are no special streaks. First, one side of the step is painted, then, turning over, impregnation is applied to the reverse side. At the same time, it is necessary to cover the entire step evenly before the coating dries, so that there are no visible smudges. In order to make it easier to turn over a wooden step, and the impregnation is less smeared, it is convenient to use wooden stands. If the first layer of paint or varnish is applied along the grain of the wood, then the second must be applied across. The third layer is again applied along, so the step is painted over most carefully. Do not forget to mix the paint periodically, this will protect you from the formation of lumps and sediment at the bottom.

Varnished

Lacquering of wood should be carried out in the cleanest possible environment so that dust does not settle on the freshly varnished finish. Before application, the step or baluster itself is also thoroughly cleaned and polished. If the wood has a defect, then under the varnish it can also be carefully puttied using putty in the color of the wood. Wide parts are varnished with a spray gun, and narrow parts with a thin brush. When working with varnishes, it is important to protect the skin of the hands and respiratory organs from the ingress of toxic substances.

Almost in every private house today you can find stairs to the second floor. It is one of the main structural elements of the house and, in addition to the functional load, is of great aesthetic importance. However, due to heavy loads, the wooden staircase gradually loses its attractive appearance. If the wood is not processed in time with special compounds and paints, its structure may collapse, and the frame and steps will become unusable. When the need arises for painting, the questions of how to properly and most importantly how to paint a wooden staircase in a house to the second floor come to the fore. If the wrong tool is chosen or the painting is poorly done, this will affect not only the appearance of the stairs, but also its functional characteristics.

Stairs inside the house are constantly exposed to both physical and mechanical stress. The quality of wood is negatively affected by temperature and humidity changes in the room, the sun's rays falling on the steps contribute to the drying of the wood. All these factors lead to wear of the ladder elements.

Particularly affected are steps, spans and handrails, which get dirty and worn out due to the constant walking of the inhabitants of the house. Therefore, a wooden staircase cannot stay for a long time without appropriate processing and painting.

Requirements for colorants

The wooden staircase to the 2nd floor is located indoors, therefore, only products intended for interior work, which are safe, do not emit odors and toxins, are suitable for painting the structure.

To determine the best way to paint a wooden staircase with your own hands, you need to take into account the following factors:

  1. What breed is the staircase made of. Coniferous trees emit resins, which impairs adhesion with paints, in addition, the needles absorb varnishes and paint inhomogeneously, so several layers are required. Larch is a more plastic breed, and if there are no knots on it, it is very convenient to work with.
  2. Wood colour. When choosing what color to paint the stairs, it is worth considering the fact that the varnish retains the natural pattern of the tree, and in order to visually emphasize the beauty of the wood, it is advisable to choose a tone that is close to natural. Covering paint completely hides the wood underneath and forms a monolithic coating of a different color. Under the paint it is easier to hide small defects and irregularities.
  3. Location of the ladder structure. If it is located on the south side and is constantly under the sun's rays, it is necessary to choose products that have increased UV protection.
  4. Ladder load. If the staircase to be painted is the main one in the house and it is used frequently, it is necessary to choose wear-resistant products.

If the question is how to paint the wooden steps of the stairs: glossy or lacquered, then, as a rule, the choice falls on matte or semi-matt dyes, which are more practical. The glossy coating is very quickly erased and loses its appearance.

Paint for wooden stairs

To give the staircase a finished look, you can use different types of coatings, which today are presented in a rich assortment:

Clear lacquers create a transparent film on the surface that enhances the beauty of the wood grain. There are also varnishes, which include coloring pigments, these products only slightly tint the surface.

  1. Water-based clear acrylic lacquers are non-toxic and safe. However, they do not withstand mechanical loads well and are subject to abrasion, so they are best used for painting small ladders and are not recommended for use on stairs with a high load intensity.
  2. Clear lacquers based on alkyd resin are well suited for wooden stairs. They form a transparent and water-resistant coating, so they are suitable for use even in damp areas.
  3. Oil varnishes are tinting varnishes and are used in cases where they want to change the shade of wood. An important parameter is the percentage of oil in the composition of the product. You can paint stairs if the varnish contains at least 65% oils. If 50% or less, then the agent can only be used for the primary coating, on which it is necessary to apply the finishing layer of another varnish.
  4. An excellent coating for stairs are polyurethane varnishes, which are resistant to temperature extremes, humidity, and abrasion. However, this coating may turn yellow after a while.

To cover the stairs to the second floor, you must use paints intended for interior decoration. To determine which paint is better to paint a wooden staircase, let's take a closer look at their characteristics:

  1. One of the most popular are alkyd dyes. In addition to the coloring pigment, their composition includes antiseptics that protect the tree from the appearance of pests, fungus and mold.
  2. Acrylic paints are based on acrylic resins. They dry quickly, have no smell, do not interfere with the air exchange processes of wood, and retain their original appearance for a long time.
  3. Oil paints have a rich palette of colors, are distinguished by economical consumption and good covering ability. However, if the wood is painted with this paint, it loses its ability to "breathe", in addition, the paint is quickly erased.

Enamels

Enamels have a denser texture than paints. They are based on two components - a colorless varnish and a coloring pigment. Enamel creates a durable color film on wood, which is distinguished not only by excellent decorative characteristics, but also has good protective properties. It protects wood from ultraviolet radiation, moisture, high temperatures.

Impregnations

Impregnation is a pigmented liquid that gives wood a specific shade. The composition also has antiseptic and fire retardant properties. On top of the impregnations, a varnish coating can be applied. Wooden stairs are best treated with wax and oil based impregnations. They lay down well and are distributed over the entire surface in an even layer.

Many people are concerned about the question: how to paint the stairs in a wooden house? To create a beautiful and durable coating, it is necessary not only to choose the right coloring agent, but also to prepare the surface well. A wooden staircase, like any other wooden surface, requires careful preparation.

Preparatory work

Preparing the stairs consists of the following steps:

  1. If the stairs are made of softwood, excess resin must be removed before painting to prevent paint absorption. There are special tools designed for this purpose.
  2. If there is an old paintwork, the stairs must be treated with a remover, and then remove the swollen paint with a spatula.
  3. The main structural elements are sanded first with coarse-grained and then with fine-grained sandpaper. You can use a grinder with a grinding nozzle. Initially, the surface is treated with an abrasive No. 60-80, then a nozzle No. 120-150 is used. Steps, railings and spans need to be sanded especially carefully - places that are rubbed faster than others and lose their appearance.
  4. After cleaning the surface from wood dust, it is necessary to putty all existing cracks and cracks. Putty is desirable to choose the color of the wood. If the gap is deep enough, you can close the hole with a piece of wood previously lubricated with PVA glue.
  5. Next, finish polishing with fine sandpaper. After grinding, you should get a perfectly smooth surface without knots and bumps.
  6. A primer is applied to the treated and cleaned surface with a roller or brush. A day after the first layer has completely dried, the staircase is re-treated with an antiseptic primer.

Traditionally, stairs are made in one color, the surface can also be painted in two colors. But in any case, the first layer, which covers the entire staircase, should be plain.

The stairs are painted from top to bottom. First, large areas are painted - steps, railings and stringers. If you need to use it, you can first paint not all the steps, but after one, and after drying, paint the rest.

Before applying the dye, it must be mixed well. If the paint turned out to be very thick, it can be slightly diluted with a solvent.

Thick paints adhere better with bristle brushes. Liquid products are best applied with flutes. When painting with a brush, it must be held at an angle of 45 degrees to the surface.

The stairs are painted in 2-3 coats. In some cases, at least 5 layers are required for a high-quality coating. A new layer is always applied after the previous one has completely dried.

Painting options

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When painting stairs with your own hands, it is not always possible to achieve a good result. And this is not surprising. Many home masters, having no experience and skills in coloring, carry out work in violation of technology, do not carefully prepare the surface, and apply coloring agents incorrectly. Because of this, quality suffers, the coating wears off very quickly and loses its original appearance.

The staircase is the main decorative and functional element of the house, which is constantly subjected to heavy loads. Even minor errors in coloring lead to a reduction in the life of the stair covering.

Professional staircase painting

Wooden staircase painting service includes all required surface preparation steps: sanding, puttying, priming and applying several coats of the selected colorant.

All work will be performed by the specialists of the company "Master Srubov", who have professional training, have considerable experience and the necessary skills. The paints and varnishes we use in our work are certified and safe. We guarantee a long service life of the coating and an exclusive quality of painting, which we will perform at a reasonable cost. In the section you will find the coordinates where you can contact us.

Wooden interfloor staircase in private housing construction is common. Wood is an easy-to-work material that can be used to make a strong and beautiful structure, but it requires special care.

To protect wood from rotting, drying out, premature wear, it is varnished or painted. Moreover, for the steps, you should choose especially durable paints that can withstand the daily load.

Material selection rules

In the huge variety of paint and varnish products that manufacturers offer today, there are several materials suitable for painting wooden stairs. These are various varnishes, stains, impregnations and paints that are easy to apply with your own hands using a roller, brush or sprayer.

Lucky

Lacquers are most often used for processing wooden structures, because they do not cover the pattern of wood, which is very important when decorating the interior of rooms. To decide which varnish is best to process a wooden staircase, consider their main types.

Oil products are a mixture of resins (artificial or natural) with vegetable oils. Not the best option, because it has low wear resistance, but cheap.

Alcohol varnishes are a solution of resins with alcohol. In the process of application, the alcohol quickly evaporates, leaving a sufficiently strong layer of resin on the treated surface. The lacquered surface is easy to polish, but has low water resistance. Such compositions can be used for painting balusters.

The production of alkyd varnishes is based on alkyd resins dissolved in white spirit or other organic solvent. They have high wear resistance, increased strength, they are not afraid of changes in temperature and humidity. So they can be safely used when processing street stairs.

Epoxy varnishes are characterized by high mechanical strength, water repellency and alkali inertness. Two-component formulations are often sold that need to be mixed before application.

Experts believe that polyurethane and polyurethane-acrylate varnishes are best suited for processing wooden stairs. They have all the advantages of the above compositions, but have one drawback - a high price, which is offset by a long service life.

Yacht lacquer can also be used to paint outdoor wooden stairs. It is made on the basis of the same polyurethane or other polymeric substances and includes special additives that provide high strength.

Paints

First of all, it is necessary to indicate that paints hide the pattern of wood, so they are used only if the task is not to emphasize the texture of wood. Although there are glazing compositions, with which you can only give a light shade to a wooden product.

In terms of the variety of colors they have no equal. But not all brands on the market can be used to paint stairs made of pine, oak or other wood.

If the wooden staircase is indoors, then an interior acrylic composition is quite suitable for painting it. For outdoor wooden stairs, it is better to choose more durable finishing materials, such as polyurethane.

Impregnations and stains

Antiseptics and are used as impregnations for the treatment of wooden stairs.

The former fight against the formation of colonies of harmful microorganisms on the surface of the wood, the latter are fire-fighting agents. Today, manufacturers offer universal impregnations that have these two properties.

Oils

Painting technology

With seeming simplicity, it is not so easy to paint a wooden staircase in a house correctly. Regardless of whether the staircase structure will be varnished or painted, it is desirable to treat it with an antiseptic and flame retardant. It is better to process all the details of the stairs before the assembly begins.

Resin removal

Coniferous wood species are very popular in private housing construction due to their cheapness. But such wood has one big drawback - it releases resin, which prevents the application of coating compounds. Therefore, the areas where the resin stands out are subjected to special treatment. For example, they are treated with a 25% acetone aqueous solution. It is applied to the defective area with a brush, then washed off with warm water, then dried.

If the resin defect is large or deep enough, then it will have to be removed with harsh means, such as a knife or chisel. After that, you need to clean the recess and putty.

Grinding

This is the most difficult step in preparing a wooden staircase for painting.

If the stairs will be covered with paint, then before applying it, the wooden parts of the structure (steps, balusters, railings, etc.) are primed. If varnish or oil is used for decoration, then no additional coatings need to be applied.

Painting

Paint and varnish products can be applied with different tools, but most often at home use brushes and a roller. If the staircase structure is small, then this coloring option is justified. But keep in mind that the consumption of paint or varnish will be more. If the staircase is large, then it is better to give preference to the spray gun. With it, the layer of applied material is thinner, which reduces consumption, and uniform application is better.

Pay attention! Ladder painting is carried out in 2-3 layers, regardless of whether the spray gun or brush is used.

Professionals who paint frequently and treat large areas give some advice in this matter.

Between glossy and matt paints and varnishes, it is better to give preference to the latter. The surfaces of the steps treated by them do not slip, which is the main criterion for safe operation for stair structures.

If brushes or a paint roller are used to paint a wooden staircase, then the first layer of material is applied along the grain of the wood, the second across and the third again along.

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