Updating the flooring in your home is a large project that can be expensive and a hassle. It’s no wonder I receive many calls after the installation. The homeowner’s mind was not on how the new flooring would impact one of the largest architectural features of his/her home – the staircase. New flooring usually means the staircase design elements no longer complement the wood tones of the home. I find that most flooring companies do not discuss this issue, since the complexities of staircase remodeling are not their expertise. Unfortunately, homeowners are often surprised when a flooring installation leads to a staircase remodel. However, it is a good opportunity to complete the updated look of your home.

Staircase Remodeling Design Elements

Wood Stain – In most Central Indiana homes, wood dominates the design. Stair treads and risers, balusters, handrails and newel posts may no longer work with the new flooring. Fortunately, we can match the wood and the stain to ensure the two elements work together. Different types of wood take stain differently, so we try to bring in a similar species when we are remodeling a staircase. Or, we work with what is available to ensure the stain and grains complement the flooring.

Stair Treads – If your staircase has been carpeted, you never know what you will find underneath. Builders often leave subflooring under carpeted stairs, or the original wood could be in bad shape. It is often easier to replace stair risers and treads than try to salvage them, unless you are in an older home with original architectural elements you want to keep. At Marvelous Woodworking, we do all of the manufacturing and finishing in our shop to reduce dust and odors in your home.

Newel Post – After the risers and treads, the newel post can be one the most impactful parts of a staircase design. If you want to replace your post, you will most like have to replace the handrail as well since angles differ between designs. Again, we can stain both elements to match your new flooring or they can be painted.

Balusters – These support mechanisms can have a large impact on the style of a staircase. If you are looking to update them, you will most likely have to replace the handrail and newel post to accommodate the new look.

For staircase remodeling projects, I suggest to my clients that they take cues from the rest of their home when making design decisions. For example, if most architectural elements are painted, you may want to add more stained elements to your staircase, or vice versa. This approach allows the staircase to accent the rest of the home. On the other hand, if you are looking to have the staircase blend in, you can mimic the dominance of paint or stain in the rest of the space.

New flooring has a tremendous impact on the look of your home, including how other architectural elements stand out. Adding staircase remodeling to your budget will keep you from being surprised after your flooring is updated. I have come in either before or after the installation, I just need to be sure to know the exact wood species and stain before I begin. If you are interested in starting a staircase remodeling project in your home, send me an email or give me a call at (317) 679-5890.