Staircase Refinishing
Staircase Refinishing in Shaw
Shaw's mix of Victorians, Four Squares, and early Craftsman bungalows means a wide range of staircase conditions — including the mismatched wood that 1970s and 80s updates left behind. We hand-strip and restore Shaw staircases to a unified, finished result, never using dip tanks that would damage original joinery.
What makes Shaw staircases different
Shaw developed from the 1890s through the 1920s with a diverse range of housing types. Unlike neighborhoods with a single dominant architectural style, Shaw has Victorian cottages alongside American Four Squares alongside early Craftsman bungalows — sometimes on the same block. The staircase in a Shaw Four Square tends to be substantial and straightforward; in a Victorian cottage it may be more decorative; in a Craftsman bungalow it is likely simple but carefully detailed.
The original wood in Shaw staircases is almost universally Douglas fir. Fir was the workhorse material for interior millwork across St. Louis from the 1880s through the 1920s, and it ages well when maintained. The challenge in Shaw is that these homes were heavily renovated during the 1970s and early 1980s — a period when the neighborhood's property values had declined and owners were making practical rather than preservation-minded decisions.
The result is that many Shaw staircases have a layer of renovation history between their original construction and today. Spindles were replaced with pine or poplar that doesn't match the original fir. Newel posts were capped with different wood. Treads were covered in carpet, which both protected and hid the original fir underneath. Removing the carpet often reveals fir in surprisingly good condition; the mismatched spindles and newel posts require a different strategy.
We assess each Shaw staircase as a system and advise on the approach that produces the best result — whether that means matching stain across different wood species, replacing mismatched spindles with reproductions, or working with the existing variation in a way that reads as intentional rather than accidental.
Every component of your Shaw staircase
Treads & Risers
Shaw fir treads under carpet are often in remarkably good condition — the carpet kept them clean and dry. We strip and refinish them once the carpet is removed, addressing any soft or damaged sections. Where treads were left uncarpeted and painted, we strip layer by layer. The goal in both cases is a clear finish that reveals the character of the original fir.
Spindles & Balusters
Mismatched spindles are a Shaw specialty. When originals are present, we remove them individually, strip by hand in the shop, and reinstall. When some have been replaced with a different wood species, we can either stain to minimize the difference or — if the variation is too pronounced — recommend replacement with reproductions before refinishing. We never use dip tanks, which would dissolve the glue at the base of every spindle regardless of wood type.
Newel Posts
Shaw newel posts range from simple square-section posts in Craftsman homes to more elaborate turned and paneled designs in Victorian houses. Where renovation has added an incompatible cap or base, we advise on whether to restore to the original profile or to work with the current configuration. In most cases the original post body is intact under the later additions.
Railings
Shaw handrails are typically a straightforward oval or rounded profile in fir. Where they've been painted, we strip them by hand and refinish. Where they've been replaced, we advise on whether the replacement is compatible with a cohesive finish or whether a new rail would serve the staircase better.
EPA-Certified Lead-Safe Work in Shaw Homes
Shaw homes were built and renovated across multiple eras, and the lead paint situation on a given staircase can be layered and complicated. Original pre-1978 layers may sit beneath 1970s renovation paint that itself may contain lead. We are an EPA-certified lead-safe firm with decades of experience in exactly this kind of multi-era finish history.
All stripping work follows EPA RRP protocols: full area containment, wet-method stripping where required, and proper disposal of all stripped material. We provide certification documentation before work starts and discuss scheduling with families who have young children at home.
"The staircase had original spindles on one side and obvious 1980s replacements on the other. Sue matched the stain so well that most people can't tell the difference unless you point it out. The whole thing looks like it was done at once."
— Dan W., Flora Place, Shaw
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you refinish staircases in Shaw?
Yes. Shaw is a neighborhood we serve regularly. The variety of housing stock here — Victorian, Four Square, early Craftsman — means a variety of staircase types, and we've worked on all of them.
My Shaw staircase has some replacement spindles in a different wood — what can you do?
This is one of the most common situations we encounter in Shaw. Replacements from the 1970s and 80s were often in pine or poplar when the originals were fir. We can stain to minimize the difference, or in some cases replace the mismatched spindles with reproductions that match the originals before refinishing the whole run.
How long does a full staircase refinishing take?
A typical Shaw staircase takes three to five working days from start to finish, depending on the number of spindles, the condition of the wood, and the number of finish coats required. We discuss the timeline in detail during the estimate so you can plan accordingly. The staircase is passable during most of the process — we stage the work to minimize disruption.
Let's talk about your Shaw staircase.
Call (314) 367-6054 or request a free estimate online. We've been restoring Shaw staircases since 1989.