Fire Safety Encyclopedia

How to paint a beautiful wooden staircase. DIY painting a wooden staircase - an overview of coatings. How can you paint the stairs

Pine? Perhaps the question will make the reader smile: is it worth puzzling over such a simple operation? However, practice shows that the service life and the quality of the appearance of the coating are directly proportional to the time spent on surface preparation and application. Let's try to do the job according to all the rules.

In the photo there is an interfloor staircase. Material - pine.

Does wood differ in any way from, say, metal in terms of applying paints and varnishes? Does pine stand out in any way against the background of other types of wood?

  1. Unlike metal, wood is hygroscopic. Its surface absorbs paints and solvents as well as water.
  2. Moisture or applied paint layer means raised pile: the wood fibers change their orientation and the surface becomes rough.
  3. The texture of the wood itself is quite beautiful and can be used as a decorative element. Of course, in this case, the final coating must be transparent or translucent.
  4. Pine is distinguished by a large amount of resin that impregnates the material. Not all paint will stick to the tarred area; what is no less important - resinousness is uneven. As a result, the coating itself can become uneven.

Let's clarify: resinousness is not only a property of pine. All conifers have it to one degree or another.


Basic moments

Let's discuss a few questions that inevitably arise when building a wooden staircase with your own hands.

Choice of coverage

Is a surface layer required? Than varnish or enamel is worse than various impregnations on oil and wax bases? Can't you just cover the steps, bowstrings, balusters and handrails with stain?

Stain is definitely not enough. Any coating must create a moisture barrier: fluctuations in atmospheric humidity, which are inevitable throughout the year, will quickly cause a relatively loose pine to crack and warp. Also, do not forget about decay and woodworms.

Impregnation is quite capable of protecting the tree from most of the unfavorable factors. However, one trap awaits us here: oil and wax will not protect the surface of the steps from mechanical wear. Walking the soaked stairs only barefoot or in soft slippers ... are you sure it's comfortable?

The internal staircase is a functional element and a noticeable accent in the interior of the house. Most often it is built from pine wood. The task of the designer is to make the architectural component harmoniously blend into the setting and perform its tasks as long as possible. For this, a pine staircase is treated with special agents and painted in accordance with the general design.

What are the advantages of making pine stairs

Solid pine is used in the construction and decoration of budget wooden houses. This wood is not as durable as oak, cedar or larch, but it is quite durable, more common, cheap and affordable. Pine is better than spruce because it has a denser texture and much fewer knots that reduce the strength of the lumber.

Pine products are distinguished by a pleasant light golden or almost white color and a unique pattern.

Pine has a pleasant light golden or almost white color

Features of pine wood

Pine is a little more difficult to work with than cedar or oak. Softwood requires fine sanding and careful selection of processing tools.

The density of the material depends on the growing conditions of the tree:

  • In warm periods, intensively growing fibers form a loose array. Cold years provide hard and dense wood.
  • The pine obtained in the mountains has a dense and uniform texture, and that grown on sandy soils - light, loose, fibrous.
  • Northern pine is of higher quality than the material obtained in the southern latitudes.

Therefore, most of the resulting lumber does not absorb the processing media evenly. Unsightly stains appear under the transparent coating, which is extremely unpleasant for aesthetic reasons. Resin (resin) contributes to the appearance of color spots on the surface of pine products. If the raw materials are harvested in the winter, when the bulk of the resin is pumped into the root system by the tree, the fibers remain drier, cleaner and stronger. They absorb the treatment agents evenly. On the wood felled during the spring-summer sap flow, streaks and stains appear. Brought into a warm, dry room, it begins to push the resin out.

Internal stair treads are usually built from solid edged boards. But often they use glued board, which has greater strength and durability. The difference in the color of the lamellas from which such a board is assembled is especially noticeable. In addition, due to changes in humidity, the lamellas begin to warp over time, and gaps form between them.

On a glued board, the color difference of the lamellas is especially noticeable

If you want to leave the original natural color of the wooden staircase between floors, you will have to use special processing means: primer, mastic, wax, stain. A simpler option is to apply a decorative opaque coating to a pine staircase.

Why do you need to paint in the house

The statement that the tree is beautiful and does not need painting is fundamentally wrong. The wood does look attractive, but it is very vulnerable to insects, mold, hard shoe soles, dirt, fire. Steps wear out especially quickly.

Ladder treads wear out the fastest

Therefore, it is imperative to paint a pine staircase. If you want to see the natural pattern of wood, paint at least with a colorless varnish, but be sure to paint!

The paint creates a hard protective coating that prevents premature "grind" of wood fibers. It is inedible for the bug and unsuitable for the settlement of rot and mold. Impregnations significantly increase protection and extend the service life.

How to paint

For processing pine stairs used:

To get a high-quality and durable coating, cover the wood only with high-quality materials purchased in specialized stores or from manufacturers.

What material for coloring to choose: comparative table

Types of paints

Advantages

disadvantages

Oil

Moisture resistant, saturated color, create a reliable protective film

They dry for a long time, do not "breathe", have a sharp toxic odor, lose their shine in places of wear, are afraid of alkalis, and may peel off over time

Moisture resistant, form the strongest and smoothest surface, dry quickly, lie flat

They give only a matte surface, intended for interior use only

Acrylic, acrylate

Moisture-repellent, "breathable", water-soluble, dry quickly, with a low odor, lie flat

Only give a matte surface

Alkyd

Moisture resistant, dries quickly, creates a smooth surface with a polished effect

For stairs, use matte or semi-gloss paints. Glossy steps and railings from constant use lose their luster over time and look untidy. You won't be able to quickly refresh the color; you will have to grind and repaint all surfaces.

Materials and tools

  • Primer
  • Thinner, paint cleaner
  • Paint, enamel, varnish
  • Wood putty
  • Sealant
  • Masking tape
  • Protective film
  • Putty knife
  • Napkins, rags, rags
  • Scraper
  • Grinding tool, sandpaper
  • Mini rollers, brushes
  • Protective equipment: gloves, respirator ("petal" or others).

How to work with paint or enamel

All work with paints and solvents should be carried out in the warm season to ensure constant ventilation of the room.

Video: How to paint the steps correctly

The procedure for working with varnish

Preparing and covering the stairs with stain + video

  1. Perform all preliminary work: protection of adjacent surfaces, cleaning, putty, sealing, sanding.
  2. Using a paintbrush, apply the stain one notch. Leave on for 2-3 minutes to absorb. With a dry, lint-free cotton rag, carefully wipe off excess material, running it only in the longitudinal direction.
  3. Process all steps, balusters, railings in the same way.
  4. If the color of the impregnation is uneven, repeat the treatment. In order for the stain to lay down smoother, not to leave stains, to better emphasize the texture of the wood, moisten the surface with water before applying it. When working with stains, wear rubber gloves, as contact of hands with stained rags is inevitable.

Experiment with the tone on a small, inconspicuous area before staining the entire staircase.

Finishing varnish (with video instructions)


  • For stairs, it is advisable to use matte and semi-gloss varnishes. They do not show signs of wear, and the sliding coefficient of the matte surface is lower, which makes the ladder safer.

Wear on a glossy surface looks particularly unsightly

  • Combined coating The combined method can be used to paint the interior staircase. For example, paint the vertical parts of the steps and balusters with paint, and protect the more worn horizontal parts of the steps and railings with parquet varnish.

The best step varnish is polyurethane parquet. It is expensive but extremely durable.

When working with a spray gun, the use of a respirator is mandatory

Painting interior staircases is not a serious problem and is quite affordable for a home craftsman. If you purchased high-quality materials and followed the technology during work, your staircase will fulfill its tasks and look brilliant for a very long time.

The cost of painting a wooden staircase today will be quite high. Indeed, in this work, the painting technology and the correct choice of dye are important.

Today we will tell you how to paint a wooden staircase with your own hands. All this is quite possible to do on your own. Also, the video in this article and the photo will help with the choice of the dye and the rules for its application.

What are the most damaging factors for a wooden staircase

Ladders made of any material are subject to heavy loads. Under external influence, the structure of the wood is gradually destroyed.

Without proper treatment with special impregnations and protective paints, the structure quickly loses its presentable appearance, partial destruction of the frame or steps is possible. The paint for a wooden staircase should be selected thoroughly (see What paint is better to paint a tree: make a choice).

The duration of the ladder operation depends on many components:

  • Design features- if the daily load corresponds to the quality and thickness of the timber from which the staircase is made, it will flawlessly serve for many years without major repairs.
  • Temperature fluctuation, air humidity and other atmospheric factors affect the quality of wood. It is most destructive when the wooden structure is outside. In the interior, there are fewer destructive factors, but over time, the load becomes noticeable as the strength of the base decreases.
  • Wooden structures on the south side of the house suffer from drying out of the fiber structure. Wood is a natural material with a certain percentage of moisture, which is necessary for its elasticity and strength. Under the influence of direct sunlight, the percentage of moisture in the wood decreases to a critical level. Therefore, it is important to paint it without waiting for the wood to dry out.
  • Places of the most intense load- middle part of steps and handrails. If the ladder is used in shoes, entering directly from the street, this is unfavorable for the wood. It is bad when the handrails are taken with unwashed or wet hands, in wet gloves, they should be protected the most.
  • The central part of the steps is gradually erased, they begin to creak and sag... This should be given due attention when processing with impregnations and applying a topcoat, which to a large extent preserves natural material.

Basic requirements for the processing and painting of staircases

Painting a wooden staircase must meet certain requirements.

After all, the end result depends on the correct choice of materials for wood processing:

  • Antiseptic;
  • Fungicide;
  • Stain;
  • Fireproof impregnation;
  • Primer (see Primer for wood and the rules for its selection);
  • Dye;
  • Varnish.

The dyes themselves are slightly diluted before wood processing to improve the consistency. In this form, the base is better distributed over the surface and dries faster.

Attention: The best result can be achieved with 2-3 coats. It is equally important to choose the right tool for applying paint - brushes, rollers with various nozzles, a spray gun (spray gun).

So:

  • For interiors, wood can be processed minimally, especially if it is related to the aesthetics of its texture, which you want to emphasize. Some craftsmen make real masterpieces, with wood carvings and special structural elements. In such cases, the wood is not primed before varnishing, but hardwood is chosen, which is carefully sanded and slightly improved with a stain.
  • Depending on the expected effect, choose a matte or glossy varnish, there is also a semi-matt finish. They all differ in the degree of light reflection. Not every design is appropriate for flights of stairs with a glossy sheen. Matt varnish emphasizes the beauty of the texture of wood fibers to the greatest extent.

Attention: For the treatment of stairs with paints and varnishes in the interior, you should avoid toxic bases and reagents with a pungent odor! It is forbidden to work with facade paints and impregnations for outdoor work, which leave a specific smell for a long time!

  • The construction market offers eco-friendly paints and almost odorless formulations for indoor use. The same applies to solvents. It is better to use a ready-to-use varnish or paint. If you cannot do without chemicals, then dilute the base to the desired consistency in an open space.
  • The fast-drying dye is easy to use, after processing it sets well without leaving a smell. But they need to work quickly, with an experienced hand, apply in a thin layer and immediately remove sags and smudges.
  • Outdoor paints are suitable for treating stairs from the outside of the house. Use any facade paint for wood processing. The instructions should indicate at what temperature the work is permissible and the drying time of the paints. It is undesirable to work in the heat, rain and at sub-zero temperatures. Use work clothing and face shield when painting with outdoor paint.

Modern private houses and cottages are distinguished by the presence of two or even three floors. Due to the superstructure, you can get additional space, equip several rooms or set aside a storage room. For a quick and convenient transition to the second floor and above, stairs are built, which are often made of wood. And this is not surprising, because the material lends itself well to processing, it is easiest to make a staircase from it with your own hands.

Of course, wood has a beautiful texture and natural color, and stairs made of it can act as a spectacular addition to the interior. Nevertheless, this material is susceptible to external influences, and over time, even the most beautiful wooden staircase loses its attractive appearance. The performance properties of wood also decrease.

To avoid such consequences, experts recommend covering the wood with special protective compounds. And in order to give the stairs a more aesthetic appearance, you cannot do without a painting procedure. From this article you will learn how and, most importantly, how to paint a wooden staircase, which paint is best for this, consider the features of the staining procedure.

Painting requirements

The procedure for painting a wooden staircase should be considered carefully. First of all, you need to decide what result you want to achieve in the end. This will help with the choice of a particular dye composition, working tools and processing technology.

Before going to the store for materials, you should familiarize yourself with the basic requirements that apply to the procedure for painting wooden stairs:

  • If the structure is made of an expensive type of wood with a beautiful texture, it is better to emphasize it, rather than paint it over. In this case, it is worth abandoning the preliminary priming of the surface, and choosing the paint with a low degree of hiding power.
  • Varnishing is an alternative to painting that also enhances the natural grain of the wood. You can choose clear or tinted varnish. In the latter case, it becomes possible to significantly change the appearance of the stairs.
  • If you plan to paint inside the house, give preference to paints or varnish with fast drying properties. It is recommended to choose formulations that do not have a strong pungent odor, but rather those that are marked "odorless" or "eco".
  • For painting the stairs installed outside the house, which leads to the attic, more resistant paints or varnishes are more suitable that can withstand the negative influences of the external environment. Typically, these formulations are made on the basis of solvents.
  • Regardless of the location of the stairs (inside the house or outside), the steps must be treated with a coloring material that is resistant to abrasion. This will preserve the aesthetic appearance of the wooden structure for a long time.

Important! Before buying this or that composition, it is worth examining the contents on the packaging and familiarizing yourself with the recommendations for its application.

A wide range of paints and varnishes, presented in hardware stores, allows you to choose the composition that is suitable in certain conditions and meets the requirements of the consumer. However, for those who do not understand the properties of paints of different groups, the choice becomes much more complicated. To buy a really suitable product, you need to have at least some idea of ​​its composition. Next, we will consider what types of paints exist, and which ones are optimal for processing a wooden staircase to the second floor.

Alkyd

This type includes paints based on alkyd resin. This substance is obtained by mixing alcohol (glycerin or pentaerythritol), acid and vegetable oil. Due to their chemical composition, alkyd paints tend to dry quickly as a result of polymerization (when interacting with air molecules). And this is one of the most important advantages. In addition, dyes based on alkyd resins may contain antiseptics, which are so necessary for treating wood against decay, mold and mildew.

Alkyds form a protective film on the surface that protects the wood from mechanical damage. They are non-toxic and suitable for indoor use.

Acrylic

Such paints are most often produced on a water basis, due to which they are able to dry quickly, do not have a pungent odor due to the absence of harmful chemicals in the composition. It can also be noted that acrylic solutions do not fade in the sun and do not lose their original color. The maximum service life of the coating is up to 20 years.

Additional advantages: water-based acrylic paints allow wood to "breathe", there is a wide choice of colors.

Oil

Such paints and varnishes have been used for a very long time, and today they are no less in demand. Its main advantages are low cost and long service life (up to 5 years). And on this all the advantages are uploaded. Wood covered with oil paint is not able to "breathe", the decorative layer dries for a long time and wears out quickly, the staircase is not protected from mechanical damage.

Oil dye contains harmful chemicals, so this material is best used for outdoor use.

Enamel

Enamel paints for wooden stairs are considered the best option, especially if staining is planned in a residential area. And all because these are fast-drying, high-quality formulations, based on no harmful components. The coloring enamel lays on the surface in an even layer, ideal if you need to completely cover the wood without gaps.

It is also important that the enamel has high protective properties - it forms a dense film that minimizes the effect of ultraviolet radiation, moisture and temperatures on the wood.

Varnish

The varnish is not paint or enamel, it is a translucent compound mainly intended to emphasize the natural color of wood and its texture. It is glossy and matte. To shine or renew an old staircase, you can paint it with a high gloss varnish. Coloring pigments can also be added to the solution, but they more perform a toning function - such a color is not able to completely cover the pattern of the tree.

According to their composition, varnishes are water-based and alcohol-based, there are also nitrocellulose solutions. The latter are more suitable for outdoor work, as they contain hardeners and plasticizers, which means that the decorative coating will be durable and resistant to weathering.

If you want to process a flight of stairs inside the house, then you should choose a water-alcohol-based varnish. For decorative purposes, shellac varnish is used, which is used for finishing.

Stains and impregnations

Stains and special impregnations are another varnish-and-paint options for wood. With their help, you can process the entire staircase or tint its individual parts (steps, railings). In addition to giving the tree different shades, such solutions also perform a protective function, since they have bio- and fire-retardant properties. It is to cover the wooden ladder that wax and oil-based compounds are used.

What to look for

Above, we examined the options for paints and varnishes that can be used to paint the stairs with our own hands. To choose the right product and get the expected result, you still need to take into account many points related to the location of the staircase and the intensity of its operation.

Let's list the main factors that determine the choice of one or another type of paintwork materials:

  • Mechanical and other loads. If the stairs to the second floor are often used, it is worth choosing a durable and abrasion-resistant coating.
  • Wood species. If the flight of stairs is made of soft wood, for example, pine, then the surface must be painted with enamel or alkyd paint. Larch has a beautiful natural pattern - it is better not to paint it, but to cover it with colorless or tinted varnish.
  • The presence of ventilation. This factor determines which composition is better to choose for painting inside the house - odorless or enamel, solvent-based varnish. Most often, the stairs are installed next to the entrance area, so there should be no problems with ventilation.
  • Financial opportunities. If there are no funds for the purchase of expensive paintwork materials, then you can buy cheaper products, the main thing is that the choice should not be at the expense of the quality of the decorative coating.

Dyeing technology

Many specialized firms offer their services for painting stairs from different types of wood. You can contact one of these companies, but do not forget that painting work can cost a pretty tidy sum. If you are not ready for impressive financial costs and want to save your family budget, it is better to do the whole procedure yourself, especially since it is quite simple.

Any painting technology, be it paint coating or varnishing, includes such stages as surface preparation and application of a decorative layer. Moreover, the choice of painting tools and the technique of their application are not as important as the first stage. The final result of painting depends on how well the wooden surface is prepared.

Preparation of the base

First of all, the surface of the stairs must be cleaned of dust, dirt and large debris. Further, the condition of the steps and the march as a whole is assessed, since in the presence of serious defects, additional materials for restoration may be required. If the structure is completely new and was made of coniferous wood, a mandatory preparatory step will be to remove excess resin from the inside.

Important! The resin contained in the fibers of coniferous wood can interfere with the good absorption of the paint and varnish material - over time, such a coating will begin to flake off.

To get rid of the resin, you can prepare a special solution: 1 liter of hot soapy water, 200 ml of acetone, 10 g of ethyl alcohol, 50 g of potash and the same amount of baking soda. The resulting liquid is applied to the surface of the boards with a wide swing brush, after which the ladder is left to dry for several hours. As the solution is absorbed, the resin will gradually come out from the back of the boards.

Regardless of the type of wood from which the staircase was made, the preparation of its surface includes the following work:

1. If the staircase has already been painted, it is necessary to remove the old coating. For this, specialized washes are used (sold in any hardware store with paints and varnishes). After applying the product, the old decorative layer can be easily removed with a spatula.

2. It is especially important to process the surface of the stairs in order to obtain a smooth and even surface for painting. Coarse sandpaper is used for this, but the sander will save you time and reduce labor costs.

3. If there are chips and cracks, they must be sealed with wood putty. Such products are also sold in any building supermarket. But you can also save money by preparing a leveling mixture of wood dust and colorless varnish.

4. At this stage, total surface grinding with fine-grained emery paper is assumed. After such processing, the steps, railings and balusters should be perfectly smooth.

5. For better adhesion of paint or varnish to the surface, a primer is indispensable. It is advisable to take a composition with antiseptic properties. It is necessary to apply the primer so that it penetrates well into all cracks, recesses, and threaded places (if any). Wait until it is completely dry.

After completing all the preparatory work, you can safely proceed to the finishing of the stairs. How to paint correctly, which tools are better to use, will be discussed further.

Paint coating [application instructions]

Before painting a staircase, it is important to be well prepared. This means that you need to find work clothes that you do not mind getting dirty, pick up the right painting tools. If you have purchased paint of a sufficiently liquid consistency, then it is easier to paint with an electric or pneumatic spray gun. Such a tool will significantly reduce your labor costs, and the whole work will take only a few minutes.

Important! When working with a spray gun, precautions must be taken. It is recommended to wear safety goggles to keep paint splashes out of the eyes and a mask or respirator, especially when using solvent-based solutions.

If a spray device is not available, you can use both a brush and a roller. The main thing here is to choose the right tool. For applying a liquid coloring composition, wide flute brushes with soft bristles are more suitable; for applying thick ones, they are harder, but smaller. A roller is useful for painting wide steps.

The process of applying paint or enamel is as follows:

1. First you need to prepare your workplace. Cover the floor next to the stairs with covering film or old newspapers, and cover the area adjacent to the flight with masking tape.

2. After opening the jar, mix the composition thoroughly with a long wooden stick until homogeneity is obtained. There should be no lumps or watery liquid on top of the paint. If the paint is too thick, it can be thinned with thinner.

2. When using a brush, dip it into the paint and, holding the tool at a 45˚ angle, apply the compound to the surface. In this case, movements should be along the grain of the tree.

3. Usually a wooden staircase is painted in two layers. However, if the composition was chosen to be water-based, and you notice that it absorbs into the wood material like a sponge, more than three coats may be required.

4. After applying the first layer, be sure to wait until the coating is completely dry. This rule must be observed with each subsequent layer.

5. Especially carefully you need to process the joints of balusters and railings, recesses, carved parts, figured elements.

6. At the end, steps, railings and handrails can be opened with a colorless glossy varnish - this will give the surface a shine, and the whole product more gloss.

In the video: painting a wooden staircase (instructions and recommendations).

If you do not know which color scheme to choose for decorating a staircase, you can apply the classic method, when the color of the decorative coating is slightly different from the shade of the walls and floor. At the same time, it is important that the staircase blends harmoniously with the interior and complements the overall color scheme of the room.

Solid color is the preferred option, but some people paint in multiple colors. This approach allows you to highlight the staircase against the general background and make it the main decoration of the interior.

Varnishing [application instructions]

Before this finish, the raw staircase is sanded only once. This is due to the fact that after application the varnish will still raise all the villi of the surface fibers of the wood, and you will have to re-sand it. The best option is interlayer sanding 180-220. It is also recommended to apply a special primer before varnishing, which will smooth out all irregularities.

After sanding the first layer, a wooden staircase is always a pitiful sight. But do not be alarmed, after applying the second layer of varnish on a properly prepared base, the situation will radically change.

The varnishing process itself is not that complicated and includes a few simple steps:

1. First you need to prepare the composition itself. If a two-component varnish was purchased, mix it as directed in the instructions on the package.

2. Dip a working tool (brush or roller) into the varnish, then walk over the surface, applying a thin layer along the grain of the wood.

3. It is imperative to wait until the varnish is completely dry. This will take approximately three hours. Depending on the type of composition chosen, the drying process may exceed this time limit.

5. Reapplying the varnish requires special care, apply the material evenly in a thin layer. Subsequent layers are applied only after the previous ones have completely dried.

The finished lacquer coating needs to grab and gain strength. Drying time directly depends on how many layers were applied to the surface. The more there are, the longer the drying process. On average, the coating dries up in 7-10 days.

High-quality painting of a wooden staircase includes the right approach from the master painter. In order for the result to meet your expectations, and not to have to re-stain, we recommend using the following tricks:

  • Experienced painters paint stairs even at the stage of building a house, when the structures are not assembled, since it is easier and more convenient.
  • If the ladder is already installed, it is best to paint it one step at a time so that there is something to stand on, and after the finished steps have dried, cover the rest.
  • Painting work always starts from the top step. However, if the house has another exit (descent) from the second floor, you can start from the bottom.
  • The last two layers of paint or varnish must be applied along the structure of the wood - this will eliminate the appearance of visible streaks after the coating has dried.
  • If you are not sure if the paint is dry, walk in a small area with socks or soft knitted slippers and see if there are marks or not.
  • To make the painted stairs completely dry, add another five hours to the allotted drying time.

The staircase leading to the second floor is one of the important components of the interior decoration of a private home. The impression of guests about the owner of the house depends on its appearance. It can be two-tone, can be painted with paints, varnishes, and toning stains. The choice of material is based on your personal preferences and expectations. And so that the end result does not disappoint, it is worth mastering at least minimal skills in working with paints and varnishes.

Any staircase structure needs to be updated from time to time. And if you consider that the staircase is also an element of the interior, it is extremely important to choose the right paint and varnish. Let's consider the most popular paintwork materials, and also analyze how to paint the stairs to the second floor without involving specialists.

Before you start to act, you need to mentally draw a picture for yourself, which should turn out in the end. This will help you find the right paint or varnish. When choosing a product, you must also take into account the advice of professionals:

  • If your staircase is made of high-quality wood with a beautiful natural pattern, then you should not paint over it. It is better to emphasize this advantage with a semi-gloss or matte varnish.
  • In order not to destroy the texture of the wood, do not use a primer. Buy "light" types of paints that allow the material to "breathe".
  • When painting staircase elements indoors, choose products that dry within a short period of time and do not leave a persistent and pungent odor.
  • Long-term protection of the stairs from external factors, as well as its beautiful appearance, can be ensured using only abrasion-resistant varnishes and paints.
  • Use for processing additional means of protection against fungi, mold, insects.
  • It is not recommended to cover the steps with glossy enamel. Otherwise, you will not walk on them, but slide.

What can and should be used to cover a wooden staircase

When you enter a building materials store, you start to get lost. Therefore, it is important to know not only the types of these products, but also their features. The most common options for paintwork materials for painting stairs are:

  • dye;
  • impregnations and stains;
  • butter.

Paints

Today there are 3 types of them:

Lucky

To emphasize the natural beauty of the tree, varnishes are used. When choosing the appropriate type, pay attention to the features of the material of construction and the conditions of its operation. Lacquer coatings, like paints, come in several varieties:

  1. Alcohol. This coating protects the stairs from biological and mechanical damage. But its significant drawback is the low degree of moisture resistance. Therefore, it is better to use it as a base coat to give the wood the desired shade.
  2. Alkyd and alkyd-urethane. They are used for external and internal structures. A hard transparent film with a subtle tint serves as a reliable barrier against moisture and other negative factors.
  3. Formaldehyde. The structure will become more resistant to wear and tear. The resins included in the composition improve the adhesion of the varnish to the wood. The only drawback is toxicity and a characteristic odor, which quickly disappears, but requires wearing a dispenser during application.
  4. Polyester. After curing, they form a hard, durable film that protects the stairs from moisture and other negative influences. If you want to make your design shine, use a polyester varnish.
  5. Epoxy. These are two-component solutions that are used with hardeners. They prevent the destruction of the structure under the influence of moisture, alkalis and provide it with mechanical strength.
  6. Polyurethane. They are distinguished by a high degree of wear and resistance to mechanical stress. The high price of varnish is justified by its long service life and high performance characteristics.
  7. Yachting. The hard and durable lacquer coating has good elasticity. This means that when the structure is deformed, the varnish layer does not flake off or crack. Due to its composition, yacht varnish is characterized by wear resistance, good resistance to fungi, increased resistance to UV rays, and moisture resistance.

This type of impregnation is characterized by antiseptic properties. On top of the stain, varnish is often applied as an additional layer. But at the same time, you need to pay attention to the compatibility of these funds.

Under the influence of the stain, the natural color of the wood becomes more intense, and the texture of the wood is more contrasting.

For stairs made of wood, impregnation with an oil or wax base is best suited. Sometimes a dye may be part of the stain, which gives the material a certain color.

The palette of possible colors is very diverse and depends on the taste preferences of the owner of the house or summer cottage. But first of all, you need to build on the style of the interior.

The staircase can be of any shade, from muted to bright radiant colors. But most often they prefer a single color.




But sometimes there are more original designs that include up to five shades. They often experiment with contrasting colors, painting the steps in one tone, and the railings and handrails in another. It looks very impressive and unusual.




In order to avoid mistakes when choosing a color, you must take into account the following recommendations:

  • when using several colors, it is recommended to paint each part before assembling the entire structure;
  • to get a darker shade of the stairs, mix the impregnation with the topcoat. This will allow the agent to penetrate into the structure of the material, which will ensure the preservation of the color of the product for a long time;
  • to lighten the wood, translucent glazing compositions with light coloring pigments are used.

Processing softwood stairs

Staircase made of pine differ from products made of beech, larch, oak or other types of wood in that they require additional processing.

Before final processing a wooden staircase made of pine wood inside the house, it is necessary to de-resin it for a number of reasons:

  1. The resinous substance protruding from the wood forms a film on the surface of the material, which prevents the paint from penetrating into the fibers. As a result, layers of paint will chip off during operation, worsening the condition of the stairs.
  2. The resinous areas begin to darken over time.
  3. On the resin surface, the coloring matter is applied in an uneven layer.

Resin removal refers to the process of cleaning the surface from excess resin. To carry out this procedure, you will need solvents.

For conifers, a 25% acetone solution is ideal. To apply it, use a brush. The surface of the material treated with the solution is washed with warm water and allowed to dry completely. If very gummy spots are found on the structure, they should be removed with a knife. The resulting grooves are leveled with a putty.

To prepare a solution for demineralization, you need the following ingredients:

  • 1 liter of hot water;
  • potash - 50 g;
  • baking soda - about 50 g;
  • soap crushed on a grater - 40 g;
  • acetone - 1 glass;
  • alcohol - 10 g.

Painting a pine wooden staircase is done after the wood is completely dry. As a rule, 1-2 days are enough.

The better to paint a pine staircase

  1. Enamel paints, as well as alkyd and polyurethane yacht varnishes are considered the best means for covering a pine staircase.
  2. To preserve the beautiful structural pattern of wood, diluted products are used.
  3. To hide defects in the material or to give it a new shade, the paint is not diluted before application.
  4. In order for the coloring matter to lay down in a beautiful even layer, the surface should be cleaned of debris and dust.
  5. Pigmented dyes are used to mask defects on the steps.
  6. For previously painted structures, urethane-alkyd solutions are used.


Step-by-step instructions for painting stairs

Sometimes they resort to the help of specialists from construction companies for painting. They, of course, know their business and do the work 100% efficiently, but you will have to fork out a lot for their services.

If you are not ready for this, then you can do it yourself. Just be extremely careful and follow the instructions clearly:

  1. Before starting work, remove debris, dirt, dust not only from the structure, but also from the room in which it is located.
  2. Seal existing chips and cracks with wood putty.
  3. Let the putty dry completely for 1 day, and then clean up any imperfections with sandpaper or a sander.
  4. Remove the resulting debris and dust, as even subtle dust particles will ruin the appearance of the stairs.
  5. Apply a primer or stain 2 times on a flight of stairs at intervals of a day.
  6. Before applying paint to the surface of the material, it must be well mixed - this will break up the clots and lumps formed there.
  7. The dye can be applied with a spray gun, roller, brush. Avoid the formation of solidified paint droplets.
  8. To prevent cracks from forming on the stairs when the coloring matter dries, the air in the room should be moderately humid.

With such simple actions, you can easily update the staircase.

Stylish color options for stairs in the interior








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