Staircase Refinishing — Ladue
Staircase refinishing in Ladue.
Ladue Colonial and estate homes often have formal center-hall staircases — wider treads, substantial newel posts, turned spindles in oak or poplar. Some have been refinished before, but not correctly: painted spindles, mismatched stain from partial refinishes. Sue addresses the whole staircase — or is honest about what a partial refinish will and won't achieve.
Ladue staircases — what they are and what they need
Ladue's Colonial Revival and estate homes from the 1940s through 1960s were designed around center-hall plans, and the staircase is central to that plan — literally and architecturally. These are formal staircases: wider treads than a typical residential run, substantial newel posts, turned spindles in oak or poplar, sometimes with a curved or half-turn landing. They were designed to be seen.
Unlike the inner-ring neighborhoods where old-growth fir and oak are universal, post-war Ladue construction used the lumber available at the time. Staircase treads and spindles are typically oak — a durable hardwood that holds up well to foot traffic. Poplar appears on painted surfaces. The material quality in Ladue's better homes is high, even if the old-growth character of pre-war timber is not present.
The most common issue we encounter in Ladue staircases is not neglect but prior work done incorrectly. Previous owners or previous contractors have done partial refinishes — retouching treads without touching spindles, painting spindles rather than stripping them, applying mismatched stain to replacement treads. The result is a staircase that looks uneven and unfinished even when individual elements are in decent condition.
Fixing that requires going back to bare wood throughout and refinishing as a unified whole. Sue will tell you that clearly at the estimate — and she will also tell you if a different approach might produce an acceptable result for less work.
Staircase work we do most in Ladue
Full Colonial staircase refinishing
A complete Ladue Colonial staircase refinishing — treads, risers, spindles, rail, and newel post — typically takes three to five days depending on scope and spindle count. We structure the project to maintain safe passage through the home during the work. The result is a staircase with unified color, consistent sheen, and finish applied correctly throughout rather than in sections.
Correcting mismatched partial refinishes
Ladue staircases that have had prior partial work — replacement treads in a different stain, painted spindles alongside stained rail, mismatched sheen from different finish products — almost always require a full strip and unified refinish to look correct. Trying to match into an existing worn stain on multiple surfaces produces results that read as patchwork. We explain this clearly before starting and let you make the call.
Curved and half-turn staircase refinishing
Curved staircases are more complex but not a barrier. The bent handrail requires different stripping and finishing approaches than a straight run. Curved tread nosing profiles need careful attention at the ends. Sue has worked on curved staircases throughout her career and will give you an accurate scope and timeline at the estimate.
Stain color changes
Ladue homeowners sometimes want to update the stain color of their staircase — moving from a golden oak to a darker walnut tone, for example, to align with a kitchen remodel or updated flooring. A full strip and refinish with the new stain achieves this. Going darker is generally straightforward; going lighter is more nuanced and Sue will discuss the realistic range of achievable outcomes for your specific wood.
Lead paint in Ladue staircases — what to know
Ladue homes built before 1978 — including the substantial post-war Colonial stock from the 1940s and 1950s — may contain lead paint on painted surfaces including staircase risers and spindles. Lead was standard in residential paint through the mid-20th century. Homes built after 1978 are generally lead-free, but the 1940s–1970s range that covers much of established Ladue warrants attention.
Sue Wheeler is an EPA Certified Lead Removal contractor. For any pre-1978 Ladue home, staircase refinishing follows full EPA RRP protocol: containment, HEPA filtration, wet methods during stripping, and documented cleanup. If you are unsure when your home was built, that is worth establishing before any refinishing work begins.
"Our Colonial on McKnight has a curved staircase that a previous owner had partially refinished — the treads were one color, the spindles another, and the rail was painted. Sue stripped the whole thing and did it correctly. It looks like it was done once, by someone who knew what they were doing."
— Homeowner, McKnight Rd., Ladue
Common questions
Do you refinish staircases in Ladue?
Yes. Ladue's formal Colonial and estate staircases in oak and poplar are solid refinishing candidates. We work in Ladue regularly, including correction of prior partial refinishes. Call (314) 367-6054 for a free in-person estimate.
My Ladue staircase has been partially refinished before with mismatched stain — can you fix that?
Yes, but fixing it honestly means going back to bare wood throughout and refinishing as a unified whole. Trying to match into existing worn stain on multiple surfaces produces patchwork. Sue will assess your specific staircase and explain exactly what a correct result requires before any work begins.
My Ladue home has a curved staircase — is that more complex to refinish?
More complex, yes — but not a barrier. The bent handrail and curved tread nosing require different approaches than a straight run. Sue has worked on curved staircases throughout her 36-year career. She will give you an accurate scope and timeline at the estimate.
Let's talk about your Ladue staircase.
Free estimate. No obligation. Sue answers every call personally — (314) 367-6054.