Exterior Wood Staircase Restored in Ajax
A tall exterior wood staircase with a landing and railings up the side of a home in Ajax had weathered to a cracked, silver-grey. We treated it with wood cleaner, power washed, sanded and refinished the whole staircase in a warm cedar-toned stain.
The staircase: grey, dry and checking
This tall exterior staircase climbs the side of a brick home in Ajax to a second-level door, with a small landing at the top, handrails on both sides and closely spaced balusters. Fully exposed to sun and rain, the wood had weathered to a silver-grey, with dry, checked treads, rough handrails and dark staining on the lower steps.
Wood cleaner and power washing
Because the wood was deeply greyed and dirty, we started with a wood cleaner to break down the grey surface fibres and grime, then power washed the stairs, landing, handrails and balusters to rinse it all away.
Sanding
Once the wood was fully dry, we sanded the treads, stringers, handrails and balusters to knock down raised fibres and smooth the rough handrails, so they feel good in the hand and the stain soaks in evenly.
Cedar-toned stain
We finished the whole staircase, landing and railings in a warm cedar-toned stain that brings back the colour of the wood and sits well against the red brick.
The result
A staircase that looks new from the bottom step to the landing, with smooth handrails and every tread, baluster and post protected from sun and moisture.
Stair staining: questions homeowners ask
Can exterior wood stairs be restored instead of replaced?
Yes, as long as the stringers, treads and posts are structurally sound. Grey, rough and checked wood is a surface problem: cleaning, sanding and staining brings it back for far less than rebuilding the stairs, as on this Ajax staircase.
Do you always pressure wash before staining?
No. We look at every job first and decide whether the wood should be pressure washed and then sanded, or only sanded, based on the size of the project, its style, the weather in the forecast and the result the homeowner wants. These stairs were grey and dirty enough that wood cleaner and power washing came first, followed by sanding.
What does wood cleaner do?
A wood cleaner breaks down grey oxidized fibres, dirt and mildew so they rinse off more easily, which means the power washing can be gentler on the wood.
Why sand handrails before staining?
Weathered handrails get rough and can splinter. Sanding makes them smooth to hold and opens the wood so the stain soaks in instead of sitting on top.
Will the new stain peel?
Peeling usually happens when stain goes over a failing old coat, over damp wood, or is applied too thick. We let the wood dry fully before staining, and our deck and fence staining comes with a 3-year non-peeling stain warranty.
How much does it cost to restore exterior stairs?
It depends on the height and size of the staircase, the condition of the wood, whether it needs washing and sanding or sanding only, and how many railings and balusters there are. We come out, look at the wood and give you a written quote.
Deck and stair staining in Ajax and Durham Region
UCO Construction Group cleans, sands and stains decks, stairs, fences and pergolas across Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa and the rest of the GTA. See our deck and fence staining service and book an on-site estimate.
