Staircases & Handrails in Northampton & Surrounding Areas

We refinish staircases, handrails, newel posts, spindles and balustrades, from a single handrail to a full staircase, in French polish, lacquer and water or poly based finishes.

A staircase is handled every day, so the finish has to look good and stand up to wear. Every project starts with an assessment of the wood, the existing finish and how much use the staircase gets, so we can recommend the right finish for it, whether that is a deep traditional French polish on a period staircase or a tougher lacquer on a busy family home.

We work on new oak staircases, period and carved staircases, and handrail wreaths and volutes, in oak, mahogany, ash and other hardwoods, for homes, businesses and stately homes.

How we refinish a staircase

1. Assessment and advice. We look at the wood, the existing finish and how much use the staircase gets, and talk through the colour and sheen you want. Staircases are refinished on site.
2. Preparation. Surrounding walls, floors and carpets are masked and protected, and the old finish is cleaned off or stripped back where needed.
3. Sanding. Handrails, newel posts, spindles and strings are hand sanded to a smooth, even surface, taking care around turned and carved details. Stair treads and risers are sanded back to bare wood too, so the whole staircase can be refinished.
4. Colour matching and staining. New oak or replacement parts can be coloured to match older wood, or the whole staircase can be stained or ebonised to a new colour.
5. Finishing. The staircase is finished with French polish, lacquer or a water/poly based finish, built up in several coats to a gloss, satin or matt sheen.

Choosing a finish for your staircase

• French polish – a traditional deep finish that suits period staircases, carved balustrades and mahogany handrails, and can be revived in the future without stripping.
• Lacquer – a harder-wearing finish for staircases and handrails that get heavy daily use, such as busy family homes and commercial buildings.
• Water/poly based finishes – clear, durable finishes that keep the natural colour of light woods such as oak and ash.
• Ebonising – a deep black finish that keeps the texture of the grain, popular for handrails against white or painted spindles.

Getting a quote

Every staircase is different. The time and cost depend on the size of the staircase, the amount of detail, the condition of the existing finish and the finish you choose, so we price each job individually. For a quote, send us a few photos of the staircase using our contact form or WhatsApp.

Areas we cover

We are based in Horton, just outside Northampton, and carry out staircase and handrail refinishing across Northampton and the surrounding villages, including Great Brington, Church Brampton, Boughton, Brixworth, Moulton and East Haddon. We also work throughout south Northamptonshire and north Buckinghamshire, including Towcester, Silverstone, Whittlebury, Deanshanger, Stowe and Buckingham, and further east in Woburn, Aspley Guise and Turvey in Bedfordshire, and Olney, Newport Pagnell and Wing in Buckinghamshire.