Should you polyurethane stair treads?
Because stairs are high traffic parts of your home, you must ensure your stairs are well protected from stains, water, scuffs, and scratches by applying three coats of polyurethane to the treads, making sure to lightly sand between each coat for good adhesion between each layer.
What finish should I use on wood stairs?
Polyurethane is the best surface finish for stairs. Surface finishes do have some drawbacks. The main one is that they can cover up the natural charm of wooden stairs. A penetrating finish lets the wood shine through a bit more.
Should you varnish stair treads?
Apply Varnish or Oil If you’ve not already carpeted or painted your wooden staircase, you should apply a varnish or oil as soon as possible (before any dirty or sticky fingerprints appear!). This will maintain a high-quality appearance and prevent any permanent marks or stains.
How many coats of polyurethane should I use on stair treads?
Depending on the type of wood and condition of the stairs, usually two or three coats of oil-based polyurethane are enough. However, you need to be aware that it takes longer to dry. Also, it can add an amber glow to the wood, making it susceptible to brush marks.
How do you put Poly on stair treads?
Invert the can of polyurethane gently about 10 times before use and repeat this regularly as you work. Do not shake the can. This will cause bubbles in your finish. Apply polyurethane in a thin, even layer on the top step using a lamb’s wool applicator or a brush labeled for use with oil-based paints.
Is it better to paint or stain stair treads?
If you are choosing to paint your risers and stain your treads, risers almost always look best painted white, no matter the color of stain. Stains are generally more durable than paint, and lighter tread paints may begin showing scuffs and marks before stains or darker paints.
How do you apply polyurethane to stair treads?
How long before you can walk on polyurethane stairs?
Wait 24 hours before walking on the stairs and avoid using rugs, cleaners or subjecting the stairs to heavy traffic for about one week. Polyurethane takes about 30 days to fully cure.
How do you seal and stain wood stairs?
How To Stain Stairs In 5 Steps
- Prepare The Area. Move anything near the stairs away.
- Prepare The Stairs. Determine if you need to use a chemical stripper to remove the stain.
- Read Directions On Stain Container. Directions can be slightly different from stain to stain.
- Apply 2 Coats Of The Stain.
- Apply 2 Coats Of Varnish.
What kind of stain do you use on stairs?
Some of the more penetrating finish types include: linseed, Danish and tung. Tung is actually a popular finish among woodworking professionals because of the easy application and how it maintains a natural look. Penetrating finishes are often best applied with a cloth or rag.
What is the best finish for hardwood stairs?
Finish Coat. A topcoat of clear finish protects your stairs from moisture, damage and stains. Finishes are applied over the wood after it has been sanded and stained. Clear polyurethane finishes are available in water or oil-based formulas.
What type of wood should be used for exterior steps?
Build steps from pine if you plan to paint them. Pine is easy to cut, easy to work with and inexpensive. Make sure that pine is well painted to prevent rot from the elements. It is a fairly soft wood with little resistance to rot without paint or stain to seal it.
Is polyurethane good for stairs?
For this, many homeowners use polyurethane, which not only protects, but also gives the wood a glossy sheen that makes cleaning a breeze. Applying polyurethane to new stairs can be tricky if you have to use the stairs while the finish is drying, but you can get around this by coating only every other step at one time.