Staircase Refinishing
Staircase Refinishing in Central West End
The grand staircases of Central West End Victorian and Edwardian homes are among the most architecturally significant woodwork in St. Louis. Hand-stripping, not dip tanks — so every carved detail and glued joint survives the process intact.
What makes Central West End staircases different
Central West End was built in waves from roughly 1880 through 1920, when St. Louis was still one of the wealthiest cities in the country. The homes that line Portland Place, Westminster Place, and the surrounding blocks were built to impress — and their staircases reflect that ambition. Sweeping curved runs, three-story open wells, and carved newel posts that took a craftsman weeks to complete are the norm rather than the exception.
The wood is almost always old-growth Douglas fir or white oak — timber that grew slowly and densely in a way that modern lumber simply cannot replicate. The grain is tight, the surface is hard, and when properly stripped and finished it reveals a depth of color that new wood cannot match. The challenge is that over 100-plus years, this wood has accumulated layer upon layer of paint, varnish, and amateur refinishing attempts.
Many CWE staircases were last professionally refinished in the mid-20th century, then painted over by owners who didn't know what lay beneath. Uncovering the original wood requires patience — the stripping phase alone on a grand curved staircase can take several days of careful hand work.
The scale of CWE staircases also matters. A three-story run with a curved balustrade involves hundreds of individual spindles, multiple newel posts at each landing, and wide treads that may be a single board across. Each element is removed, brought to the shop for stripping, and reinstalled once the finish work is complete.
Every component of your Central West End staircase
Treads & Risers
CWE treads are typically wide — sometimes 48 inches or more — in solid old-growth Douglas fir or oak. Decades of foot traffic concentrate wear in the center, leaving the edges in near-original condition. We strip each tread individually, level any wear, and apply a finish that unifies the surface without hiding the wood's natural character. Risers are stripped and finished to match, whether painted or clear.
Spindles & Balusters
CWE spindles are often elaborately turned — multiple profiles stacked on a single baluster. They are removed individually, stripped by hand in the shop, and reinstalled. We never use dip tanks. Dipping submerges spindles in caustic solution that dissolves the hide glue at the base, leaving loose joints that can never be fully repaired. Hand-stripping takes longer but leaves the joinery intact.
Newel Posts
The newel posts in CWE mansions are often the centerpiece of the staircase — carved, paneled, or fluted, sometimes topped with cast ornaments. We strip them in place or remove them entirely depending on complexity, working into each carved profile with tools sized for the detail. The goal is to reveal the original carving exactly as it was cut, not a softened approximation of it.
Railings
Curved handrails are one of the most demanding elements in staircase refinishing. The inside curve accumulates grime and old finish in ways that flat surfaces do not. We strip curved rails by hand, working along the grain and into every transition between the rail's profiles. The result is a continuous, smooth surface ready for a durable topcoat.
EPA-Certified Lead-Safe Work in Pre-1978 Homes
Virtually every home in Central West End was built before 1978, and virtually every staircase in those homes has lead paint somewhere in the finish layers. This is not a reason to avoid refinishing — it is a reason to choose a contractor who is EPA certified to handle it safely. We are a certified lead-safe firm and have been performing lead-paint removal work in CWE homes for decades.
Our process includes full containment of the work area, proper disposal of all stripped material, and cleanup protocols that meet EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) requirements. You will receive documentation of our certification before work begins. For families with children or pregnant household members, we discuss scheduling and re-occupancy timing in detail.
"Our Portland Place home has a three-story curved staircase that no one had touched in fifty years. Sue's crew stripped every spindle by hand and brought the oak back to a color I didn't know was under there. It's the first thing every visitor notices now."
— Margaret D., Portland Place, Central West End
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you refinish staircases in the Central West End?
Yes. The Central West End is one of our most frequent service areas. We've worked in CWE for decades, refinishing staircases in Victorian mansions, brownstones, and row houses throughout the neighborhood.
My CWE staircase has a curved newel post with carved details — can those be preserved?
Absolutely. Carved newel posts are stripped by hand, one section at a time, using tools sized to each profile. We never use dip tanks — dipping dissolves the glue at the base of spindles and damages carved surfaces. Every carved detail that went into the staircase originally can be brought back.
How do you handle lead paint on a CWE staircase?
We are an EPA-certified lead-safe firm. Virtually every pre-1978 home in the Central West End has lead paint somewhere — on staircases, it's often buried under multiple later layers. We follow full containment and disposal protocols throughout the stripping process, protecting your home and family.
Let's talk about your Central West End staircase.
Call (314) 367-6054 or request a free estimate online. We've been restoring CWE staircases since 1989.