Staircase Refinishing · Kirkwood, MO
Staircase Refinishing in Kirkwood
Whether your Kirkwood home has Victorian turned spindles or Craftsman square newel posts, the staircase is built from old-growth wood that deserves to be seen. Sue Wheeler strips every spindle by hand — the only way to protect the glue joints that hold them in place.
What makes Kirkwood staircase refinishing different
Kirkwood's age means its staircases span two distinct eras of craftsmanship. Victorian homes from the 1870s and 1880s have the ornate turned spindles, carved newel posts, and decorative brackets that defined the period. Craftsman bungalows from the 1910s and 1930s replaced all of that with square forms, mission-style newel posts, and a deliberate simplicity that expressed the Arts and Crafts ethos. Both are old-growth. Both are worth restoring.
What accumulates on Kirkwood staircases over a century of use is predictable: many coats of varnish, often a layer or two of paint from a mid-century update, traffic wear on treads, and finish that has darkened and dulled far beyond its original tone. The wood under all of that is typically in better condition than the finish suggests.
Spindles are the critical element. Dip-tank stripping — the shortcut method some shops use — dissolves the glue at the base of turned spindles, causing structural loosening that worsens over time. Every spindle in a Kirkwood staircase is stripped by hand, which takes longer and costs more, but leaves the joinery intact. That is the only acceptable approach.
Because virtually all of Kirkwood's residential housing stock predates 1978, lead paint protocol applies to nearly every staircase project. Sue is EPA RRP Certified and follows full containment on every project where paint removal is involved.
Staircase refinishing services for Kirkwood homes
Victorian staircases with turned spindles
Kirkwood's Victorian homes often have elaborate turned spindle profiles — rings, coves, and tapers that require patient hand work to strip without losing the crisp edges. Sue uses chemical strippers, heat tools, and hand scrapers in combination, working each spindle individually. The newel posts in these homes are often carved or paneled and receive the same careful attention.
Craftsman staircases with square newel posts
The square newel posts and simple spindles of Kirkwood's Craftsman bungalows strip efficiently and finish cleanly. The restraint of the design works in its favor — the natural grain of fir or quarter-sawn oak becomes the visual element, and the geometry reads clearly when the finish is right. These staircases look exceptional with a warm oil-based finish that lets the wood breathe.
Tread and riser restoration
Stair treads take the hardest wear in any house and show it — worn finish, scuff marks, and darkened wood in the center of the tread are standard on a century-old staircase. Sue assesses each tread individually. Where the wood is sound, she strips and refinishes. Where treads have been worn thin or damaged, she identifies the right approach rather than papering over the problem with finish.
Stain matching to existing woodwork
In most Kirkwood homes, the staircase does not exist in isolation — it connects to door casings, baseboards, built-ins, and other woodwork throughout the house. Sue evaluates the full context and works to bring the staircase into harmony with what exists. Where an exact match is not achievable, she selects the closest professional-grade option and explains the reasoning clearly.
EPA Certified Lead Removal — standard on Kirkwood staircase projects
Kirkwood's pre-1978 homes are the norm, not the exception. When stripping painted staircases in these homes, federal EPA RRP rules require a certified firm and documented containment procedures. Sue Wheeler has held that certification throughout her 36-year career and applies the full protocol on every pre-1978 project.
Staircase lead protocol includes HEPA containment across the work area, wet stripping to suppress airborne particles, sealed waste disposal, and written documentation provided at project completion. Family members and pets are kept clear of the work area throughout the process.
"Our 1895 Victorian on Adams has a staircase with ornate turned spindles that had been painted white — twice. Sue stripped every one of them by hand and refinished the whole staircase in a rich amber. It looks like the day the house was built. I genuinely could not believe it was the same staircase."
Homeowner, Adams Avenue, Kirkwood
Frequently asked questions
Do you refinish staircases in Kirkwood?
Yes. Sue Wheeler has been refinishing staircases in Kirkwood for over 36 years. Victorian and Craftsman-era staircases in the neighborhood are among the finest examples of period woodwork in the St. Louis metro, and Kirkwood is one of her most active neighborhoods for repeat and multi-generational clients.
My Craftsman bungalow has a simple staircase with square newel posts — is that typical?
Yes, that is the defining Craftsman staircase form. Square newel posts, minimal ornamentation, and horizontal emphasis are hallmarks of the style. Simple does not mean lesser — these staircases were built with the same old-growth fir or quarter-sawn oak as their Victorian counterparts, and they strip and refinish beautifully. The restraint of the design becomes a strength when the natural wood is revealed.
Can you match the stain on my Kirkwood staircase to the rest of my woodwork?
Stain matching is a standard part of the process. Sue evaluates the existing woodwork in your home — door casings, baseboards, built-ins — and works to bring the staircase into harmony with the established tone. Exact matches depend on species and condition, but a close, professional match is the goal on every project.
Ready to restore your Kirkwood staircase?
Free estimate. No obligation. Sue answers every call personally — (314) 367-6054.