A staircase is often the first thing you see when you walk into a two-storey home, and it takes more wear per square metre than almost any other floor in the house. Design Timber Flooring works on timber stairs across Greater Sydney, from cladding carpeted or concrete stairs with timber treads and risers to sanding and recoating existing timber staircases. Jimmy has more than 20 years on Sydney floors and quotes and runs every job himself.
Stairs are usually part of a bigger flooring project. If you are putting new timber upstairs and downstairs, the staircase is the link between them, and planning it at the same time gives the best chance of the whole home reading as one.
What we do on staircases
- Cladding existing stairs with timber treads and risers, over structures such as concrete or particleboard that were previously carpeted.
- Matching stair treads and nosings to a new timber floor as part of a supply-and-install project.
- Stair sanding and polishing for existing timber staircases that have worn, scratched or yellowed.
- Recoating timber stairs where the finish is sound and only the surface has worn.
- Carpet to timber stairs conversions, including removal of carpet, gripper strips and underlay.
We do not build new staircases or carry out structural work. Where a staircase needs to be rebuilt, strengthened or reconfigured, that is a builder or joiner job, and we are happy to coordinate with them on the timber finish.
Cladding existing stairs with timber
Staircase cladding is a practical way for Sydney homeowners to get the look of timber stairs without replacing the structure. New timber stair treads, risers and nosings are fixed over the existing stairs, which stay in place underneath. It is common in homes where the stairs were built from concrete, or from particleboard or other sheet material intended to be carpeted.
Before cladding, we assess:
- The existing structure. It needs to be sound, stable and free of movement. Squeaks, loose treads or cracking are resolved before anything goes over the top.
- Tread depth and riser height. Cladding adds thickness to each step. We check how that affects the height of the first and last steps, where the stair meets the floor above and below, so step heights stay as consistent as the structure allows.
- Balustrades and handrails. Posts, balusters and glass panels that sit on the treads affect how the cladding is cut and fitted. Where balustrading needs to be removed or altered, that is arranged with the appropriate trade.
- Wall stringers and skirting. The junction between the new treads and the walls needs a clean detail, particularly on older stairs that are not perfectly square.
Our gallery includes a staircase before and during cladding with engineered timber, which shows how the treads and nosings come together over an existing structure. See the project photographs for this and a polished timber staircase.
Matching stairs to new floors
When new flooring is going in, the stairs are best planned alongside it. The tread timber, colour, finish and nosing profile all affect how well the staircase links the two levels. We discuss matching the stairs to the floor as closely as the selected product and the stair construction allow.
With solid hardwood, stair treads can often be produced in the same species as the floor, and sanded and coated on-site together so the finish is consistent. With prefinished engineered timber flooring, some ranges offer matching stair nosings or components, while others do not. Availability depends on the product, so we check this before the floor is ordered rather than after. Our supply-and-install service covers the full flooring project that stairs are usually part of.
If new stairs will meet an existing hardwood floor, the same considerations as matching boards apply. Our guide to matching new floorboards to existing hardwood explains the decisions involved.
Stair nosing options
The nosing is the front edge of each tread, and it takes the most wear on any staircase. It also matters for appearance and for how clearly each step can be seen. Common approaches include:
- Solid tread with a shaped edge. The tread itself is profiled at the front, for example with a rounded or bullnosed edge. This gives a clean, continuous look.
- Separate nosing profile. A purpose-made nosing piece is fitted to the front of the tread. This is common with engineered and prefinished floors, where the nosing is matched to the floor product.
- Square or eased edge. A more contemporary, crisp look, with the edge lightly eased so it is not sharp.
Whichever profile you choose, consistency matters. Nosings should project evenly and look the same on every step, so the staircase reads clearly as you go up and down.
Stair sanding and polishing
Existing timber stairs can often be restored in the same way as a timber floor. Stair sanding is slower and more detailed work, because large floor machines cannot reach most of each tread. Treads, risers and nosings are sanded with smaller machines and by hand, with extra care around balusters, stringers and the edges of each step.
As with floors, an assessment comes first. Some stairs have been sanded before and have limited timber left, some have been painted, and some are made from a different species to the surrounding floor. If a recoat is enough, it avoids removing timber unnecessarily. Our floor sanding and polishing service explains the recoat or full-sand decision and the finish options in more detail.
Safety considerations on timber stairs
Timber stairs look beautiful, but they need to be safe to use every day. We factor in:
- Slip resistance of the finish. High-gloss finishes can feel more slippery underfoot, particularly in socks. A matt or satin sheen is often a more practical choice for stairs, and some finish systems offer options aimed at improved slip resistance. We discuss this when choosing the coating.
- Consistent nosings and step heights. Uneven nosings or a first or last step that is noticeably different from the rest can catch people out. Cladding and new floors both change heights, so we plan for this before the work begins.
- Visibility. On a staircase where every tread is the same colour, some people prefer a nosing that is easier to see. We can talk through the options.
- Handrails and balustrades. These are not part of our scope, but they need to be secure and in place when the stairs are back in use.
Stairs can be subject to building requirements, including provisions in the National Construction Code, depending on the project. Where the stair work forms part of a renovation or new build with a builder, certifier or approvals, confirm the requirements that apply with them. We work to the agreed scope and will raise anything we notice that should be checked.
Comparing your staircase options
| Option | Suits | What is involved | Things to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clad existing stairs | Sound concrete, particleboard or previously carpeted stairs | New timber treads, risers and nosings fitted over the existing structure | Adds height to each step, so the first and last steps need planning; balustrade details affect fitting |
| Sand and recoat existing timber stairs | Timber stairs with worn, scratched or dated finishes | Detailed sanding by machine and hand, then new coats | Depends on remaining usable timber; painted or previously sanded stairs need assessing |
| Full replacement | Stairs that are structurally unsound or need reconfiguring | A new staircase designed and built by a builder or joiner | Structural work sits with the builder or joiner; we can coordinate the timber finish and matching floors |
Carpet to timber stairs
Removing stair carpet reveals what is underneath, and it varies a great deal. Some homes have timber treads that were always meant to be exposed; many have sheet material or concrete that was only ever intended to sit under carpet. Gripper strips, staples and underlay residue are common. We assess the stairs once the carpet is lifted, or from an exposed step, and recommend sanding, cladding or a conversation with a builder or joiner depending on what we find. Our carpet-to-timber guide covers the wider decisions if the rest of the home is changing too.
Timeline and access in two-storey homes
In most two-storey homes, the staircase is the only way to reach the bedrooms upstairs. That makes planning access as important as the work itself. The programme depends on the stair construction, the approach chosen, the coating system and site conditions.
Options we discuss include working on the stairs while you stay elsewhere for part of the job, sequencing the stair work with the upstairs and downstairs floors, and agreeing when the stairs can be used again under the coating's written instructions. We plan this before work starts rather than leaving you stuck on one level.
Timber stairs across Sydney
We are a mobile service across Greater Sydney, including two-storey family homes in the Hills District, renovated homes throughout the Eastern Suburbs and newer builds across Western Sydney, where carpeted stairs are often part of a move to timber.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put timber on concrete stairs?
In many cases, yes. Concrete stairs can often be clad with timber treads, risers and nosings, provided the structure is sound and the finished step heights can be planned properly. We assess the stairs, the balustrade details and the junctions at the top and bottom before recommending the approach.
Can carpeted stairs be changed to timber?
Usually. What is under the carpet determines the approach. Timber treads may be suitable for sanding, while particleboard or concrete stairs are typically clad with new timber. We assess the stairs once the carpet is lifted or from an exposed section.
Can my stairs match my new timber floor?
We aim to match the stairs as closely as the selected product and stair construction allow. Solid hardwood treads can often be sanded and coated with the floor. With prefinished engineered floors, matching stair components depend on the range, so we check availability before ordering.
Are timber stairs slippery?
Timber stairs can feel slippery with a high-gloss finish, especially in socks. A matt or satin sheen is often more practical, and some finish systems include options aimed at better slip resistance. Consistent nosings and step heights also help people use the stairs safely.
Do you rebuild or replace staircases?
No. Structural work, new staircases and reconfiguring stairs are a job for a builder or joiner. We clad, sand, recoat and finish timber stairs, and we are happy to work alongside the builder or joiner on the timber finish and matching floors.
How long does it take to sand or clad a staircase?
It depends on the number of steps, the stair construction, whether it is a sand or a clad, and the coating system. We give you a project-specific programme with the written quote and plan access around the stairs, particularly in two-storey homes.
Can I use the stairs while the work is happening?
Often not for part of the job, because stairs cannot be used while coats are drying. We discuss the sequence and access options before work begins, including whether staying elsewhere for part of the programme is the practical choice.
Talk to Jimmy about your stairs
Tell us about your staircase, what it is made of now and the floors it connects to. Jimmy will visit, assess the stairs and give you a fixed-price written quote with the recommended approach. Request an on-site quote or call 0404 906 432.
