# Stair Refinishing Toronto | Toronto Stair Refinishing and Recapping: Carpet-to-Hardwood & Custom Stain for Residential & Commercial | NWFA Certified

URL: https://hardwoodrefinishingtoronto.ca/services/staircase-refinishing-recapping/

![Stair refinishing Toronto: recapped oak staircase with stained treads and white risers](/images/misc/newly-recapped-oak-staircase-with-stained-bullnose.webp)

Stairs . $15-$200/step

# Stair Refinishing and Carpet-to-Hardwood Recapping in Toronto, Stain-Matched to Your Floors

Last updated: October 31, 2026

Stair refinishing in Toronto for treads, risers, spindles, handrails and newel posts, plus carpet-to-hardwood recapping with solid oak bullnose treads. Hand-sanded with Festool palm sanders, stain-matched to your main floor and sealed with 3 coats of Bona Traffic HD. A typical 14-step recap is $2,000-$3,500 in 2-3 days.

-   Carpet and tack strip removal
-   Solid oak bullnose treads and new risers
-   Festool palm hand-sanding
-   Custom stain matched to existing floors

Request a Free Written Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 

Call (647) 503-3932

[tel:+16475033932 →](tel:+16475033932)

-   20+ Years Founded 2005
-   $2M Liability + WSIB COI in 24 hours
-   NWFA Certified Installer + Craftsman
-   500+ Projects 5.0-star satisfaction
-   24-Hr Written Quote 5-year warranty

## What Is Stair Refinishing and Recapping in Toronto?

Stair refinishing in Toronto covers two very different jobs. If your stairs already have sound hardwood treads, we refinish them: hand-sand, stain and seal. If your stairs are carpeted, or the wood under the carpet is patched and full of staple holes, we recap them: new solid oak treads and risers fitted over the existing structure, then stained and finished to match your floor.

Either way, stairs are hand work. The steps are too small and too detailed for a floor machine, so every tread, nosing and riser is sanded with Festool palm sanders connected to Festool HEPA extraction. That keeps dust out of the bedrooms upstairs and gives a cleaner, flatter surface on the bullnose edge, where wear shows first.

## How Does Carpet-to-Hardwood Recapping Work?

1.  **Strip.** Carpet, underpad, tack strip and every staple come out. We check each step for movement and screw loose ones down to the stringers.
2.  **Cut the nosing.** Where we are recapping, the old nosing is cut flush with the riser so the new tread sits tight.
3.  **Fit.** Each solid oak bullnose tread is measured and cut to its step, because no two steps in an older Toronto house are exactly the same. Treads are set in construction adhesive and fastened; new risers go in front.
4.  **Sand and stain.** Hand-sanding with Festool palm sanders, then custom stain matched to your main floor.
5.  **Finish.** 3 coats of Bona Traffic HD, with an optional anti-slip additive in the last coat.

![New solid oak bullnose tread being fitted after carpet and tack strip removal](/images/misc/carpet-and-tack-strip-removed-from-staircase-with-.webp)

## How Much Does Stair Refinishing Cost in Toronto?

| Work | Price |
| --- | --- |
| Basic sand + poly (existing treads) | $15-$30 per step |
| Refinish with custom stain | $20-$40 per step |
| Carpet-to-hardwood recap | $100-$200 per step |
| Typical 14-step recap | $2,000-$3,500 |
| Non-slip topcoat | approx. $5 per step |

What moves the price: open stringers that need mitred returns, winder or curved steps, landings (priced per sq ft), and how much railing work you want. Spindles, balusters, handrails and newel posts are quoted separately so you can choose refinish, paint or leave as is. Use the stair calculator on this page for a quick number, then book a visit for the written quote.

## How Do We Match Stain to Your Floor?

New oak and 60-year-old oak do not take stain the same way. Old floors have aged and ambered; new treads are pale. So we never guess. We stain offcuts of your new treads with Bona DriFast or Minwax stains, hold them against the floor in your hallway light, and adjust the mix until it matches. If our 

Toronto hardwood refinishing

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 crew is also doing the floor in the same project, we stain both in one session, which is the most reliable match of all. A Leaside family’s 14-step recap was matched exactly to their 1960s oak main floor this way.

## When Should You Refinish Instead of Recap?

Refinish when the treads are solid hardwood with intact nosings and only surface wear. Recap when the stairs were built to be carpeted (often pine or particleboard treads), when nosings are split or rounded off, or when years of carpet installs have left the wood full of holes. Recapping also lets you change species, for example walnut treads to match a new walnut floor.

|  | Refinish | Recap |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Best for | Solid hardwood treads with intact nosings and surface wear | Carpet-grade pine or particleboard treads, split nosings, staple-damaged wood |
| What we do | Hand-sand, stain and seal the existing treads | New solid oak bullnose treads and risers over the existing structure |
| Price | $15-$40 per step | $100-$200 per step |
| Change species | No, keeps your existing wood | Yes, for example walnut treads to match a walnut floor |

## Popular Staircase Looks in Toronto

-   **Stained treads, white risers.** The most requested look in Leaside, Riverdale and The Annex. Clean, classic and forgiving of scuffs on the treads.
-   **Fully stained.** Treads, risers and handrail in one tone for a warm, traditional staircase.
-   **Natural oak with black spindles.** A modern look common in newer GTA homes and renovations.
-   **Matte hardwax oil.** Rubio Monocoat on white oak treads for a soft, natural feel underfoot.

Recapping pairs naturally with 

hardwood floor refinishing

[/services/hardwood-floor-refinishing/ →](/services/hardwood-floor-refinishing/)

 or new 

hardwood floor installation

[/services/hardwood-floor-installation/ →](/services/hardwood-floor-installation/)

, so the staircase and the floor read as one surface.

Transparent Pricing

## How Much Does Stairs Cost in Toronto?

Published per-sq-ft rates. Your written quote lists every line before work starts.

### Basic sand + poly

$15-$30/step

Existing hardwood treads

### With custom stain

$20-$40/step

Matched to your main floor

### Carpet-to-hardwood recap

$100-$200/step

New oak treads and risers

### Typical 14-step recap

$2,000-$3,500

Completed in 2-3 days

Open stringers, landings, spindles and railings are quoted separately. Non-slip topcoat approx. $5/step.

See all Toronto price tables →

[/cost/ →](/cost/)

## Stair Refinishing and Recapping Cost Calculator

Estimate by step count and type of work. Open stringers, landings and railings are quoted separately.

Number of steps 

Type of work Refinish existing treads ($15-$30/step)Refinish with custom stain ($20-$40/step)Carpet-to-hardwood recap ($100-$200/step)

 **Non-slip topcoat**Recommended for pets and kids, approx. $5/step

Estimated staircase cost

$2,100

Low**$1,400**

High**$2,800**

Get a Written Staircase Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

Why Us

## Why Choose Us for Stairs in Toronto?

### Stain matched to your floor

Test boards in your light before staining, and floor plus stairs stained in the same session when we do both.

### Solid oak, not veneer caps

Full-thickness solid oak bullnose treads glued and fastened to the stringers. No hollow, clicky steps.

### Hand-detailed by palm sander

Stairs are sanded by hand with Festool palm sanders and HEPA extraction, not attacked with a big machine.

### Safer for pets and kids

Optional anti-slip additive in the topcoat adds grip without changing the colour.

### Whole-staircase finish

Handrail, spindles, balusters and newel posts refinished or painted to match, so nothing looks left behind.

### Per-step written pricing

Published per-step rates and a written quote within 24 hours. Railings and landings shown separately.

Our Process

## How Does Our Stairs Process Work?

1.  1
    
    ### Count, measure, photograph
    
    We count steps, check for open or closed stringers, measure landings and note railing work. Quote within 24 hours.
    
2.  2
    
    ### Strip and prep
    
    Carpet, pad, tack strip and staples out. Old nosings are cut flush where we are recapping, and every step is checked for squeaks.
    
3.  3
    
    ### Fit treads and risers
    
    Solid oak bullnose treads and new risers are cut to each step, set in construction adhesive and fastened to the stringers.
    
4.  4
    
    ### Hand-sand and stain
    
    Festool palm sanders with HEPA extraction, then custom stain matched to your floor on test boards before the real thing.
    
5.  5
    
    ### 3-coat finish
    
    3 coats of Bona Traffic HD, with an anti-slip additive in the final coat if you want it. Light use after 24 hours.
    

Typical timeline: 14-step recap: 2-3 days. Floor + stairs together: about 4-5 days.

## Not sure if you need a full sand or just a recoat?

Send a couple of photos or book a measure. We test the finish and tell you honestly which option fits, in writing.

Call (647) 503-3932

[tel:+16475033932 →](tel:+16475033932)

 

Get a Written Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

Our Work

## Stairs Before and After

Empty rooms, real light, no staging. Drag the slider, then tap any photo to enlarge.

![Before stair recapping in Toronto: worn carpeted staircase](/images/misc/before-worn-grey-carpeted-staircase-with-frayed-no.webp) ![After stair recapping in Toronto: solid oak treads stain-matched to the hallway](/images/misc/after-recapped-solid-oak-staircase-stain-matched-t.webp) Before After ‹› 

Leaside, Toronto

14-step carpet-to-oak recap, stain matched to the 1960s main floor

![](data:,)

### Recent stairs projects

-   Leaside 14-Step Stair Recap
    
    Carpet-to-oak recap, stain matched to 1960s main floor, non-slip finish, $2,800
    
    Leaside . 
    
    Hardwood refinishing East York
    
    [/service-areas/east-york/ →](/service-areas/east-york/)
    

Customer Reviews

## What Customers Say About Our Stairs

5.0-star customer satisfaction across 500+ GTA hardwood projects. Initials and neighbourhood only, at our customers' request.

> "Came out stunning. Custom stain matched our 1960s oak main floor exactly. Non-slip finish for our dog."

J.K., Leaside$2,800

> "1,200 sq ft Rosedale red oak in 3 days, zero dust on furniture upstairs, finish looked brand-new. Family back day 4."

D.M., Rosedale$4,200

> "Three companies refused engineered. These guys measured wear layer depth, said yes, finish is pristine."

P.R., King West$3,200

Got Questions?

## Stairs FAQs

Straight answers about staircase refinishing and recapping in Toronto and the GTA.

How much does stair recapping cost in Toronto?+

Carpet-to-hardwood recapping costs $100-$200 per step in Toronto. A typical 14-step staircase runs $2,000-$3,500 and takes 2-3 days. Where the original hardwood treads are sound, refinishing is much cheaper: $15-$30 per step for a sand and poly, or $20-$40 per step with custom stain. Landings are priced per sq ft like a floor, and handrail, spindle and newel post refinishing is quoted separately. A Leaside 14-step recap with stain matched to a 1960s oak main floor and a non-slip finish for the family dog came in at $2,800.

What is stair recapping?+

Recapping means covering each existing step with a new solid hardwood tread and a new riser. We remove the carpet, pad and tack strip, cut the old nosing flush, then glue and fasten a solid oak bullnose tread over the old step and a new riser in front. It is the fastest way to turn a carpeted staircase into hardwood without rebuilding the stair.

Can you stain-match the stairs to my existing floor?+

Yes. Stain matching is the core of this service. We test stain on offcuts of the new treads in the light of your hallway, compare against your floor and adjust until it matches. When we refinish the floor in the same project, we stain both in one session for the closest possible match.

Is there hardwood under my stair carpet?+

Often there is, but stair treads under carpet were usually builder-grade, patched or full of staple holes. If the treads are solid and the nosings intact, refinishing at $15-$40 per step is possible. If not, recapping gives a cleaner, more durable result.

How long does a stair recap take?+

A standard 14-step staircase takes 2-3 days: one day to strip and fit treads and risers, then sanding, stain and three coats of finish. You can use the stairs carefully in socks 24 hours after the final coat. Doing the floor and stairs together takes about 4-5 days.

Can we use the stairs during the job?+

During coating, the stairs are off-limits for several hours at a time. For homes where the stairs are the only way up, we can coat every other step so the family can still get up and down, then finish the rest the next day.

Do you add a non-slip finish?+

Yes. We add an anti-slip additive to the final coat of Bona Traffic HD. It gives a subtle texture and noticeably better grip for dogs, kids and anyone in socks, without changing the colour. It adds about $5 per step.

Do you refinish handrails and spindles?+

Yes. Handrails and newel posts can be sanded and stained to match the treads, and spindles or balusters can be refinished or painted. Many owners choose white risers and spindles with stained treads and handrail for a classic Toronto look.

What about open stringers and curved stairs?+

Open stringers, curved and winder stairs need custom-cut returns and extra fitting, so they are quoted individually after we see them. We handle them regularly in older Toronto homes.

Is dust a problem on stairs?+

Stairs are hand-sanded with Festool palm sanders connected to HEPA extractors that capture 99.97% of particles, so dust stays out of the bedrooms upstairs.

Do stairs creak more after recapping?+

They should creak less. We check every step for movement before fitting the new tread, screw loose steps to the stringers and set treads in construction adhesive, which removes most squeaks.

Is the work warrantied?+

Yes. Every staircase carries our 5-year workmanship warranty, and we carry $2M liability insurance and WSIB coverage.

### Still have a question about your floor?

Phones are answered 24/7. Live crew Monday to Saturday, 7am to 7pm.

Call (647) 503-3932

[tel:+16475033932 →](tel:+16475033932)

Request a Free Written Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

Related Services

## Often Booked With Stairs

 

![Hardwood floor sanding Toronto: Lagler Trio sander with Festool HEPA extraction on red oak](/images/misc/lagler-trio-planetary-sander-connected-to-festool-.webp) Most Requested

### Hardwood Floor Sanding and Refinishing

$3-$5/sq ft

Full sand-to-bare-wood refinishing: 3-grit progression, custom stain and a 3-coat Bona Traffic HD build. $3-$5/sq ft.

3-grit progression 36/60/100 on Lagler Trio . Festool HEPA extraction on every sander

View floor refinishing details

[Hardwood Floor Sanding and Refinishing →](/services/hardwood-floor-refinishing/)

 

![Hardwood floor installation Toronto: installer nailing white oak boards over underlayment](/images/misc/installer-kneeling-while-nailing-white-oak-hardwoo.webp) NWFA Certified

### Hardwood Floor Installation

$7-$18/sq ft

Solid and engineered hardwood, nail-down, glue-down or floating, in straight, herringbone, chevron, parquet, diagonal and picket layouts. $7-$18/sq ft installed.

Nail-down, glue-down and floating installs . Acclimation, MC testing, vapor barrier, expansion gaps

View installation details

[Hardwood Floor Installation →](/services/hardwood-floor-installation/)

 

![Dustless hardwood refinishing Toronto: Festool HEPA extractor connected to a floor sander](/images/misc/festool-ctm-hepa-dust-extractor-with-hose-connecte.webp) 99.97% Capture

### Dustless Hardwood Sanding

$3-$5/sq ft

Festool HEPA extraction connected to the Lagler Trio, edger and palm sanders. 99.97% capture, pet-safe. Included in published rates.

Festool HEPA, 99.97% particle capture . Connected Lagler Trio, edger and palm sanders

View dustless sanding details

[Dustless Hardwood Sanding →](/services/dustless-sanding/)

![Freshly refinished honey oak floor in an empty Toronto living room](/images/misc/empty-toronto-semi-living-room-with-freshly-refini.webp)

Phones answered 24/7 . Crews Mon-Sat 7am-7pm

## Ready to Book Stairs in Toronto?

Tell us the rooms, the approximate square footage and what bothers you about the floor. We measure on site within 2-3 days and put every line in writing before any work starts.

Request a Free Written Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 

Call (647) 503-3932

[tel:+16475033932 →](tel:+16475033932)

-   Written quote before work
-   Festool HEPA dustless
-   $2M liability + WSIB
-   5-year warranty