How to paint a pine staircase in a house - we understand the materials and the technology of their application. The better to paint a wooden staircase in the house: secrets and recommendations

Wood is rightfully considered the most popular building material for the manufacture of stairs of any design. But when arranging flights of stairs, it must be taken into account that each type of lumber is processed differently.

For example, resin is present in the structure of coniferous materials, which adversely affects the paintwork. Therefore, you not only need to know how to paint a wooden staircase, but also what paints for wooden stairs are best used for a particular type of wood.

There are two traditional types of timber coloring:

1. opaque;
2. transparent.

Coating the wood with a transparent or translucent varnish allows you to highlight the natural beauty of the wood. Processing wood with opaque compounds allows you to create a uniform color film on the surface of the material, the shade of which will correspond to the declared dye.

How do professionals paint wooden stairs, and what paint should be used to paint a wooden staircase in a house so that it harmoniously fits into the interior of the interior of the house?

The distribution network presents a diverse selection of high-quality paints and varnishes and additional materials for processing internal and external wooden structures - these are:

• varnishes;
• paints;
• enamels;
• stains;
• polishes.

In order to confidently navigate the variety of the above dyes and know the best way to paint a wooden staircase in a house, you need to familiarize yourself with the approximate characteristics and properties of paints and varnishes. So you can understand what kind of paint or varnish you need to apply to finish one or another structural element of the flight of stairs.

Lucky

Varnishes for wood finishing, according to their composition, are divided into five main categories:

• nitrocellulose;
• alcohol varnishes;
• oil varnishes;
• polyurethane;
• acrylic varnishes.

Nitrocellulose paints and varnishes

Nitrocellulose varnishes are a composition of varnish colloxylin, various resins and low molecular weight plasticizers in combination with volatile organic solvents. They are distinguished by the speed of drying and the increased strength of the applied coating.

They are highly resistant to seasonal weather conditions, thanks to this property nitrocellulose varnishes can be used for painting wooden outdoor stairs.

Hints: for example, if a decision is made to paint the wooden porch of a residential building, then the question is: how to paint a wooden staircase on the street must be divided into two components. The first component is the choice of paint or varnish for outdoor work, taking into account the color of the parapet of the flight of stairs. The second question is how to paint the steps of a wooden staircase, and it is already connected with the choice of paint or varnish only for the steps of a flight of stairs, since the operational requirements for coating steps differ from the requirements for the railing of the stairs.

Solutions of vegetable resins in alcohol solvents (usually ethyl alcohol) are called alcohol varnishes.

The most popular of alcohol varnishes:

• shellac;
• rosin;
• carbinolic.

Varnishes based on alcohol essence dry quickly and are freely polished to a mirror finish. The main disadvantages of alcohol-containing varnishes are their price, low moisture resistance and negative frost resistance. Are applied only to painting works in internal dry rooms.

Oil varnishes

The basis of oil varnishes are vegetable oils and resins of synthetic or natural origin, which have undergone heat treatment.

Lacquers are available in two coating options:

1. glossy oil varnish;
2. matte oil varnish.

The most popular varnish with a matte finish. After the coating dries, depending on the selected dye, a transparent yellowish film forms on the surface of the material. The disadvantage of oil varnish is its slow drying, which significantly lengthens the time for finishing the elements of a wooden staircase.

Paints and varnishes based on oil solvents have low moisture resistance and low resistance to variable mechanical loads. Therefore, the use of oil varnishes for finishing work is limited to internal staircases.

Polyurethane varnishes

Polyurethane varnishes are compounds of high-molecular resins that form durable coatings with high performance characteristics: wear resistance, resistance to chemical and active mechanical influences. Widely used for painting steps and railings of outdoor wooden stairs.

Acrylic varnishes

This is a special type of paint coating - the combination of a plastic dispersion with a synthetic acrylic material dissolved in water. The ready-to-use acrylic lacquer contains antiseptic and plasticizer additives, which give strength and transparency to the finish coat.

According to their composition, they can be:

1. one-component;
2. two-component.

A two-component acrylic varnish is a combination of acrylic and polyurethane binders. Acrylic varnish is unique in its technical characteristics and versatile in its use. Here's how to paint the steps of a wooden staircase so that they meet the most stringent operational requirements.

In addition, the surface covered with acrylic lacquer dries quickly and serves as a reliable protection for wooden stairs from mechanical damage.

Special formulations for wood treatment

No matter how beautiful the natural structure of the tree is, over time and under the influence of external factors, the wood and the lacquered surface of the stairs lose their presentation and attractiveness.

To extend the life of wooden stairs or maintain the original gloss of the lacquer coating, special compositions are used:

• primers;
• antiseptic compounds;
• stains;
• polishes.

For example, how to paint a wooden staircase in a house before finishing a transparent coating with a colorless varnish in order to change the visible structure of the wood (tint) to suit your individual preferences. The most acceptable option is a stain.

Mordants

Stain (stain) is a special liquid (impregnation) to give the wooden elements of the stairs the desired color. Usually it is the color of noble woods.

Stains differ from varnishes in that the active impregnation elements penetrate deep into the structure of wooden structures and paint them from the inside, preserving the natural texture and pattern of the fibers of the material. The process of painting a wooden staircase takes place without the formation of a surface film, in contrast to painting wood with varnishes or enamels.

Bates or stains are:

• water;
• alcohol;
• based on nitro solvents (nitro).

Nitrate and alcohol stains are characterized by protective properties, while simultaneously performing all the functions of antiseptic impregnations.

In a subgroup of such stains, there are compounds that do not stain the wood, but serve solely to protect it. This makes it possible to use a colorless transparent lacquer coating after tinting and antiseptic protection of wood with wood stains.

Water stains for painting stairs are rarely used. They are used mainly for painting small parts of wooden structures.

Alcohol and nitro stains dry quickly, are easier to work with and have a rich color range of dyes used. Are issued in the form of dry powder or liquid solution ready to application.

polishes

Polishes are special liquids based on resinous substances used to polish the lacquer surface of wooden structures. After coating the flight of stairs with paint or varnish, you can ennoble the glossy base by rubbing the wooden surface of the stairs to a mirror finish with polish.

Polishes are available:

1. alcohol;
2. nitro based.

The most popular alcohol polishes. Polishing a wooden staircase with alcohol polish is carried out using a cloth swab moistened with polish.

For polishing surfaces varnished with nitrocellulose varnish, only nitro polishes are used.

Paints and enamels

Paints are suspensions of pigments or their solutions with fillers dissolved in drying oil, oil, latex, etc. Paints, when used, form an opaque, durable, uniform film on the surface of a wooden staircase.

Paint tools:

• brushes;
• rollers;
• spray;
• solvent;
• clean rag.

The name "enamel" and "paint" are not identical. Enamel is a mixture of inorganic dyes with fillers and additives dissolved in film-forming varnishes, which, after drying, create a glossy opaque film with a variety of textures. In terms of such parameters as elasticity and durability of the coating, enamels are superior to oil and water-dispersion paints.

And again, questions - how to paint a wooden staircase in a house and what paint is most acceptable for the steps of a wooden staircase? Maybe better enamel?

These and other questions regarding paints and enamels will be discussed further in the following sections, and for a more visual demonstration, we watch the video on painting stairs in this article.

Paints: properties, material characteristics

Staining of wooden stairs is carried out with a variety of paints and enamels. The task of the staining procedure is to cover the surface of the wood in order to protect the wooden surface from harmful influences, or in order to imitate any valuable type of wood.

Paint for wooden stairs inside the house can be:

• oil;
• acrylic;
• nitrocellulose;
• enamel.

Oil paint for wooden stairs

Oil paints are characterized by good adhesion to a wooden base, and provide reliable protection of wood from various atmospheric influences. The surface of the wooden stairs, painted with an oil paint composition, has a durable smooth finish with a beautiful semi-gloss sheen.

It can be used as a paint for wooden stairs inside the house, and for outdoor wooden stairs. But with one caveat - do not use oil paint as a coating for the steps of internal and external stairs.

The service life of a coating painted with oil paint is 10 years, provided that the painting was carried out on a new clean wooden surface, and the original manufacturer's instructions were used when performing finishing work.

Acrylic paint for wood

Acrylic paints are synthetic compositions based on polyacrylates. The binding components are water and coloring pigments. When moisture evaporates, particles of plastic polymers create a stable and elastic film on the wood surface.

Acrylic paints are odorless, and, despite their water component, have increased moisture resistance and resistance to temperature changes. The surface of the stairs, covered with acrylic paint, is easy to clean with any cleaning products.

Acrylic mixtures are easily tinted, do not burn, dry quickly and are not affected by ultraviolet rays, which allows their use for painting outdoor wooden stairs.

Acrylic synthetic compounds have a long service life (more than 15 years) and are much cheaper than other water-based paints.

Nitrocellulose paints

Nitrocellulose paints for wood are easy to use, high wear resistance and excellent finish quality. High surface elasticity, heat resistance, moisture resistance - this is not a complete list of the advantages of nitrocellulose paint.

When applied to the surface of the stairs, a thin, almost transparent film is created. The term for complete drying of the surface of nitro-paint is 2 hours. Nitrocellulose paints can be used both indoors and outdoors.

enamels

Enamel is very similar to paint and differs only in its composition. It is a combination of fillers and pigments dissolved in a mixture of artificial polymer. Enamel staircase coating has an expressive luster and is more durable in comparison with a similar paint coating.

Apply enamel with a brush or spray gun. Wood enamels are used only for interior work. Drying of the enamel coating should take place at an air temperature of at least 20 ° C for 72 hours.

Finishing wooden stairs

The process of finishing wooden elements of stairs includes the following operations:

• mechanical surface treatment (grinding, etc.);
• coating of wooden stairs with special compounds (antiseptics, primers);
• surface painting.

Wooden stairs in the house are often made with an opaque finish. This is not the norm, but just a common tradition.

Because for a transparent coating with paints and varnishes, hardwoods are needed with a careful selection of elements in terms of texture, color and quality, which is slow and expensive.

In addition, when choosing how to paint the wooden steps of the stairs in the house, it is better to stop at an opaque coating. An opaque coating is applied to the surface of the stairs in several layers, which allows you to hide all the defects made in the manufacture of steps. Especially if these steps were made independently.

DIY stairs can combine two types of coverage. For example, the railings are painted with enamel, and the steps are varnished, or the same details are varnished in two different shades.

Grinding

Before painting a wooden staircase, it is necessary to carry out the following list of preparatory work:

1. remove villi (burrs) from the front surface of the wood;
2. putty (with an opaque coating);
3. primer;
4. antiseptic treatment.

After that, sanding the surface of the wooden stairs is used with sandpaper attached to a wooden block or using an electric grinder.

Hints: Be careful when using an electric grinder - applying too much pressure while sanding can only increase the imperfections you were trying to eliminate.

A fragment of sandpaper is glued onto a wooden block 10–15 cm long and they begin to work. For the convenience of work, make three bars at once: with fine, medium and coarse grain.

Sanding the details of a wooden staircase is carried out along the fibers, and not across. The surface of sandpaper must be periodically cleaned of wood dust.

The wooden surface of the stairs, intended for covering with transparent varnish, must be perfectly flat and smooth. Therefore, after grinding with sandpaper, the surface of wooden blanks or structures is wiped with a coarse woolen cloth.

At the end of grinding, carefully clean the surface of the stairs from wood dust and small inclusions.

Staining of wooden structures of stairs

One of the simplest, and therefore convenient dyes, is stain. However, you need to know that stain stains different types of wood in different ways. It depends on the difference in the content of a chemical such as tannin in the structure of the tree.

For example, if you stain the oak base of the stairs, the wood will turn dark brown. At the same time, a pine or maple staircase will have a yellowish tint.

Hints: Special attention should be paid to coniferous woods: the resin of such woods strongly absorbs the stain, which leads to uneven coloring of the wooden surface. Therefore, in order to stain the surface of coniferous materials, it is necessary to remove wood resin from the base of the workpiece.

There are several methods for applying stain to the wooden base of the stairs:

1. trituration;
2. spraying;
3. using a roller or swab;
4. with a brush;
5. immersion of parts in a stain solution.

In the case of the first method, the surface of the wood located horizontally is covered with stain and rubbed evenly over the entire plane of the product (for example, stairs). The rubbing method is used mainly for porous wood species. For this method, stains that dry for a long time are suitable.

Spraying method - the stain is applied to the wooden surface of the stairs using an airbrush. This application procedure is intended for staining vertical surfaces. The coating is smoother than with the rubbing method.

Staining a wooden surface with a swab or roller allows you to get a better uniform coating. The roller is used for large areas, the swab for small parts. Instead of a standard swab, you can use a sponge or a piece of rag.

Staining horizontal or vertical staircase structures with a brush allows you to get a more contrasting coating in terms of color than when using other shelter methods with the same number of superimposed layers. Immersion is used only for staining individual small parts of the stairs.

Alcohol stains are applied to the wooden surface of the stairs by rubbing in two layers. The initial layer is applied along the wood fibers, the last - across.

Upon completion of the application of the planned layers of stain, the surface of the stairs is wiped with a clean cloth. After drying, the details of the stairs are cleaned with fine-grained emery cloth.

The surface prepared in this way can be opened with a transparent colorless varnish. This must be done, since the stain does not form a protective film on the surface of the wood, but only tints it with the desired color and, in rare cases, can serve as an antiseptic.

Painting a wooden staircase with paints and enamels

Staining of wooden stairs is carried out with various paints and enamels (see the chapter "Paints and enamels"). According to their properties, they are divided into paints for interior and exterior use.

For example, paint for a wooden staircase in a house can only be used for painting interior staircase structures. When using this type of exterior paint, the finish will crack, flake, and eventually break.

As tools for painting works are used:

• brushes;
• sponges;
• rollers;
• foam swabs;
• spray guns.

In addition, for small parts, dipping of individual products into the dye is used.

Painting wooden structures should begin with surface treatment with a primer. The choice of primer brand depends on the composition of the paint or varnish for the finish coat and the operating conditions for the finished substrate.

Wooden stairs must be painted from top to bottom. This is very important if the finished steps are being painted, and there is no second staircase in the house. It is impossible to paint the wooden structures of the stairs in sections. As a result, a non-uniform coating of different color shades can be obtained. Remove paint drips during the staining process with a clean, damp cloth.

Traditionally, there are several methods for painting wooden stairs with paints and enamels. The most common is the monochromatic coloring of structural parts (see photo).

The most high-quality and durable coating is obtained by painting the stairs with an airbrush. If brushes or a roller are used for painting, then it is necessary to complete the painting of a wooden surface with long strokes over the entire plane of the product.

The way to paint a wooden staircase with a brush is the most difficult:

1. Paint for wooden structures of stairs should be applied to the surface of the details of the flight of stairs with a free translational movement of the brush along the filiform fibers of the tree in one direction.
2. After completing the painting of each layer, you need to wait a bit, and without dipping the brush into the paint, correct your strokes, and remove paint streaks, if any.
3. When using a sponge or swab, the paint must be applied to the surface of the wood at least three layers. Due to the high complexity of the process, this method is rarely used.

There is also a way to paint wooden surfaces with a two-tone texture. Using paint or enamel in two shades, a pattern is created that imitates the structure of a tree or represents any abstract composition. The main color of the paint is used for the background coating, and the texture or image is applied to the background surface with the second color.

In addition, the paint to create a texture or image can be water-based, but in this case, the painted surface of the stairs must be varnished with a spray gun or a soft brush. After that, the base of the steps or the railing of the stairs is dried for at least an hour, then the surface is lightly sanded and varnished again.

Nitrocellulose paints dry quickly (20-30 min.), which allows you to quickly paint the details of a wooden staircase. Due to the rapid drying of the paint, you can not only save time, but also reduce the risk of dust and insects sticking to the painted substrate.

Alkyd enamels and traditional oil paints are most popular for painting both interior and exterior wood stair structures. Oil paints are well known and familiar to us. Alkyd compounds have a positive performance and are more modern.

Varnishing wooden stairs

Before varnishing a wooden staircase, the following preparatory work must be done:

• grinding;
• primer;
• waxing.

Fine-grained sandpaper is used to grind the surface of the stairs before applying the lacquer coating. The grinding technique is described above.

Priming of wooden structures can be done with a stain or a special primer on the same solvent as the future varnish coating. The type of primer should be selected individually for each brand of varnish or vice versa.

The lacquer coating of the stairs is characterized by the following parameters - these are:

1. brand and type of varnish;
2. coating method;
3. the number of layers of varnish.

The quality and durability of the varnish film depends on the correct choice of the brand of the applied varnish.

The procedure for applying varnish on a wooden staircase is as follows:

1. The varnish is applied to the prepared dry surface of the stairs in even layers using a brush, swab or spray gun. Volumetric details are varnished with a spray gun or flute brushes.
2. The ends and edges of the wooden stairs are varnished using small brushes in diameter. In some cases, with a transparent finish, it is allowed to use putty of the same color as the future coating to eliminate minor wood defects.
3. Before performing an opaque finish of the flight of stairs, you can easily use putty to remove chips, dents, etc.
4. After grinding, priming and puttying, several circles of paintwork are applied to the surface of the wooden structure.
5. To obtain a durable and high-quality lacquered coating, one pass of varnish is not enough. After a well-dried first layer, the varnished base must be sanded with fine emery cloth to create a perfectly flat and smooth wood surface.
6. After sanding, with a clean rag or dry brush, we clean the surface of wood dust, and apply a second layer of varnish, a quarter diluted with a solvent.

In painting work on painting wooden stairs, oil and synthetic paints and varnishes are most often used. They are used for the device of paint and varnish coatings on wood, both indoors and outdoors.

The most common brands of varnishes are:

1. Oil varnishes- suitable for varnishing any type of wood. Oil varnish coating is the most durable, waterproof, with a strong pleasant sheen. The varnish composition is applied in two layers with a swab or brush. The drying time of the coating is 48 hours.
2. Oil pentaphthalic varnishes (PF) serve to cover the surfaces of stairs painted with oil compositions indoors. Before use, dilute with solvent or white spirit. To apply pentaphthalic varnish to the surface of the stairs, brushes or spray guns are used. Drying time 36 hours.
3. create a more elastic, but less resistant to moisture coating than when using oil varnishes. The luster of alcohol lacquer is the softest and most subdued. The most common are shellac-based alcohol varnishes.
4. If varnishing is decided to be carried out with nitrocellulose compounds, then it is better to choose glossy varnishes. When applied, the surface is obtained with better quality. Nitrocellulose varnishes are applied to the surface of the stairs in several layers - with a brush, swab or spray gun. Nitrocellulose varnishes form a high-quality waterproof base with a high gloss.

Nitrolacquer must be applied in even layers, and any next layer must be perpendicular to the previous one.

Then, after applying the final layer, the surface of the stairs is left to finish drying for a day. Then it is polished with an emery cloth, wiped with a clean rag and polished.

We analyzed a variety of paints and varnishes that can be used to paint the surface of wooden external and internal stairs. We considered how to paint a wooden staircase on the street and what paint to paint a wooden staircase in a house.

When choosing a varnish or paint for finishing stairs, do not be afraid to experiment. It is important that the coating meets safety requirements and harmoniously fits into the interior of your home.

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

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

• If your staircase is made of 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 primers. Buy "light" types of paints that allow the material to "breathe".
• To paint indoor stairs, choose products that dry quickly 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.
• Steps are not recommended to be covered with glossy enamel. Otherwise, you will not walk on them, but slide.

What can and should be covered with a wooden staircase

When you go to 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 for painting stairs are:

• dye;
• impregnations and stains;
• butter.

Paints

Today there are 3 types:

Lucky

Lacquers are used to emphasize the natural beauty of wood. 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. Alcoholic. 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 layer, to give the tree the desired shade.
   
2. Alkyd and alkyd-urethane. They are used for outdoor and indoor structures. A hard transparent film with a subtle tint serves as a reliable barrier against moisture and other negative factors.
   
3. Formaldehyde. The design will become more resistant to wear. The resins included in the composition improve the adhesion of the varnish to the wood. The only drawback is toxicity and a characteristic odor that quickly disappears, but requires wearing a respirator during application.
   
4. Polyester. After hardening, they form a solid, durable film that protects the stairs from moisture and other negative influences. If you want to make your design shine, use 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 a long service life and high performance.
   
7. Yacht. Hard and durable lacquer coating has good elasticity. This means that when the structure is deformed, the varnish layer does not peel off or crack. Due to its composition, yacht varnish is distinguished by wear resistance, good resistance to fungi, increased resistance to UV rays, and moisture resistance.
   

This type of impregnation is characterized by antiseptic properties. Lacquer is often applied over the stain 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 saturated, and the texture of the wood becomes more contrasting.

For stairs made of wood, impregnation with an oil or wax base is best suited. Sometimes the composition of the stain may include a dye that 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 cottage. But first of all, you need to build on the style of the interior.

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

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

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

• when using several colors, it is recommended to paint each part before assembling the entire structure;
• to get a dark shade of the stairs, mix the impregnation with the top coat. This will allow the product 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 tree, translucent glazing compounds with light coloring pigments are used.

Processing of softwood stairs

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

Before finalizing a pine wooden staircase inside the house, it is necessary to deresin it for a number of reasons:

1. The resin substance protruding from the wood forms a film on the surface of the material, which prevents the penetration of paint into the fibers. As a result, layers of paint during operation will break off, worsening the condition of the stairs.
2. Resin areas begin to darken over time.
3. Coloring substances are deposited on the resin surface 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 coniferous trees, a 25% acetone solution would be ideal. A brush is used to apply it. The surface of the material treated with the solution is washed with warm water and allowed to dry completely. If there are very tarred places on the structure, they should be removed with a knife. The recesses obtained as a result of this are leveled with putty.

To prepare a solution for deresining, you need the following components:

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

Painting a wooden staircase made of pine 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 coating a pine flight of stairs.
2. To preserve the beautiful structural pattern of wood, diluted products are used.
3. To hide the defects of the material or 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 for painting they resort to the help of specialists from construction companies. Of course, they 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 everything yourself. Just be extremely careful and clearly follow the instructions:

1. Before starting work, remove debris, dirt, wipe off dust not only from the structure, but also from the room in which it is located.
2. Repair any chips and cracks with wood putty.
3. Let the putty dry completely for 1 day, and then smooth out any flaws with sandpaper or a grinder.
4. Remove the resulting debris and dust, as even barely noticeable particles of dust will spoil the appearance of the stairs.
5. Apply 2 times a primer or stain on a flight of stairs with an interval of a day.
6. Before applying paint to the surface of the material, it must be mixed well - this will allow you to break up the clots and lumps formed there.
7. The dye can be applied with a spray gun, roller, brush. Avoid the formation of hardened droplets of paint.
8. To prevent cracks from forming on the stairs when the dye dries, the air in the room should be moderately humid.

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

Stylish color options for stairs in the interior

Many projects of modern private houses, and even some multi-storey apartments, provide for the construction of various types of stair structures. The choice in favor of one or another type of staircase is partly dictated by existing standards, but it largely depends on the appearance of the future structure and the personal preferences of the property owner. When relying on the use of natural materials, one should take into account their specifics. Any wood wears out faster than metal, concrete or glass. You can extend the life of such a ladder with the help of proper care or repair. Information on how to paint a wooden staircase will be useful in both cases. Such events are within the power of many home craftsmen, especially if they have experience and skills in repairing wooden home furnishings. Faster and better results can be achieved by entrusting this work to specialists. In any case, it is worth knowing about the existing methods of painting wooden stairs, as well as the materials that are best suited for this. This information will be useful both for those who decided to work with their own hands, and for those who have to accept the work done by the masters.

Internal ladder structures, the elements of which are made of wood, are not exposed to the aggressive effects of weather factors. However, despite the fact that they are not afraid of sudden changes in temperature and humidity, their material also wears out.

The following factors contribute to this:

• Cleaning and washing in which chemicals are used.
• Natural wear of wood (time factor).
• Mechanical abrasion of the surface of the railings and steps during the operation of the stairs.
• The impact of sunlight on the coating of a wooden staircase, which results in the destruction of its structure, loss of intensity, brightness and color fading.
• Structural damage by tree insects.

The influence of the described factors can be minimized by showing foresight and applying a protective paint coating to the wooden stairs. Many hardware stores offer a wide range of materials suitable for painting wood. When planning to paint a wooden staircase with your own hands, it is worth collecting information in advance about those tools that are best suited for the upcoming work.

Choosing paint for wooden stairs

This type of coating allows not only to protect the stairs in the house, but also to give it the desired color. The following types are best suited for painting wooden stairs:

1. Acrylic paints have a rich palette of colors and environmental friendliness (water is used as the basis). Painting a wooden staircase with such paint is quite simple, and the resulting coating is resistant, moisture-proof and at the same time "breathable" due to the formation of pores. Manufacturers claim that acrylic coating can last up to ten years.
   
   
2. Alkyd coloring mixtures allow you to get a uniform coating of a wooden staircase with good moisture-proof properties. A feature of this paint is its resistance to sub-zero temperatures. The disadvantages include the specifics of application: only on a dry surface. In addition, alkyd paint does not have a long service life, as it does not penetrate deep enough into the wood structure.
   
   
3. Using oil paints for painting stairs with your own hands, you can get a bright and rich surface color. However, such mixtures also have the longest list of specific features. Among them are a long drying period, a high probability of smudges, and not long service lines.
   
   

Important! When working with oil paint, it is better to use a respirator and take care of good ventilation of the room. This type of paint has a strong odor and is toxic.

Treating wooden stairs with impregnation

Various impregnations are often used to protect the wood of stairs. Their composition may be based on water or a volatile solvent. The main characteristic of all impregnations is the colorlessness or haze of the coating. This does not hide the pattern inherent in natural wood, but emphasizes it. Some impregnations (tinting) can slightly change the color or shade of the stairs.

There are such types of impregnations:

1. Flame retardants. These mixtures penetrate into the upper layers of wood, help reduce its flammability, and resist mechanical stress. They will not be able to completely prevent a fire, but they protect the structure in the immediate vicinity of a fire.
2. Antiseptic impregnations. With their help, it is quite easy to protect a wooden staircase from biological factors of destruction with your own hands. The application of such an impregnation helps to prevent wood decay, as well as to prevent the development of bacteria and fungi in its fibers.
3. Universal. These mixtures have all the listed properties and are designed for comprehensive protection of the stairs in the house.

Advice! It is better to apply impregnation on wooden stair elements before the entire structure is assembled. Thus, the most uniform coating is achieved, and a better penetration of the composition into the wood is also guaranteed.

Lacquers for wooden stairs

Lacquering of stair structures is carried out after all the elements are assembled. In some cases, handrails or railing balusters can be painted separately. Lacquers have the following properties:

• Smooth smooth wood surface finish.
• Possibility to save the wood pattern. Tint varnishes will give the wood a deeper color.
• High degree of wood protection against mechanical damage.

For interior work in the house, experts recommend using oil or oil-resin varnish mixtures. There are also alkyd and alkyd-urethane varnishes, but their effectiveness is inferior to the first. Many paint and varnish mixes allow to receive a brilliant glossy surface. However, for safety reasons, it is worth using matte compositions for varnishing the upper part of the steps.

Stages of painting stairs

Painting the stairs in the house is performed, observing the following sequence:

• Preparatory work.
• Painting directly.
• Finishing coat (this stage is not always present).

The preparatory work includes grinding the details of the ladder structure, as well as the elimination of wood flaws. Sanding wood surfaces is a must. It is performed in two doses with an interval of several days. This time is necessary for the fibers to take on a natural shape, and they can be sanded better. The application of paints and varnishes should be carried out strictly following the instructions and recommendations of the manufacturer. The surface previously coated with a primer is painted with a brush, roller or spray gun. When using varnish or impregnation, a primer is not needed. Painting a wooden staircase

Resin wood staining

For the processing of pine stairs, there is an additional step: deresining. Due to the fact that pine fibers contain a large amount of resin, its release to the surface interferes with the uniform application of paints and varnishes. Therefore, for high-quality painting of stairs with your own hands, you should use special compounds. Elimination of abundant resin deposits from wood is possible only by cutting out individual sections and puttying them, followed by grinding. As a final step, you can apply several layers of clear varnish. To achieve smoothness and uniformity of the coating of the wooden stairs, as well as to eliminate possible air bubbles and other defects, it is better to grind each subsequent layer of varnish after it dries.

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 sure that the architectural component blends harmoniously into the environment and performs its tasks for as long as possible. To do this, a pine staircase is treated with special products and painted in accordance with the overall design.

What are the advantages of making stairs from pine

During the construction and decoration of budget wooden houses, an array of pine is used. This wood is not as durable as oak, cedar or larch, but is quite durable, more common, cheap and available. Pine is better than spruce because it has a denser texture and much less knots that reduce the strength of 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 somewhat more difficult to work with than cedar or oak. Soft wood needs fine sanding and careful selection of processing agents.

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

• In warm periods, intensely growing fibers form a loose array. Cold years provide hard and dense wood.
• Pine harvested in the mountains has a dense and uniform texture, while pine grown on sandy soils has a light, loose, fibrous texture.
• The northern pine is better than the material obtained in the southern latitudes.

Therefore, most of the resulting lumber absorbs the processing agents unevenly. Unsightly spots appear under the transparent coating, which is extremely unpleasant for aesthetic reasons. Gum (resin) contributes to the appearance of color spots on the surface of pine products. If the raw material is harvested in winter, when the bulk of the resin is pumped by the tree into the root system, the fibers remain drier, cleaner and stronger. They evenly absorb processing agents. On wood cut down during the spring-summer sap flow, stains and stains appear. Brought into a warm, dry room, it begins to push the resin out.

The steps of internal stairs are usually built from edged massive boards. But often they use a glued board, which has greater strength and wear resistance. 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, gaps form between them.

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

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

Why you need to paint your home

The statement that a tree is beautiful and does not need to be painted is fundamentally wrong. Wood does have an attractive appearance, but it is very vulnerable to insects, mold, hard shoe soles, dirt, and fire. Steps wear out especially quickly.

Stair rungs wear out the fastest

Therefore, it is necessary 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 does not allow the wood fibers to be “damaged” prematurely. It is inedible for the bug and unsuitable for the settlement of rot and mold. Impregnation at times enhance protection and extend the life of the product.

How to paint

For the processing of pine stairs are used:

In order for the coating to turn out to be of high quality and durable, cover the wood only with high-quality materials purchased in specialized stores or from manufacturers.

Which coloring material to choose: a comparison table

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

Materials and tools

• Primer
• Thinner, paint cleaner
• Paint, enamel, varnish
• Putty on wood
• sealant
• masking tape
• Protective film
• Putty knife
• Napkins, rags, rags
• Scraper
• Sanding 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 steps with paint

The procedure for working with varnish

Preparation and coating of stairs with wood stain + video

1. Perform all preliminary work: protection of adjacent surfaces, cleaning, puttying, sealing, grinding.
2. Use a paint brush to apply stain to one step. Leave on for 2-3 minutes to absorb. With a dry, lint-free cotton cloth, carefully wipe off excess material, moving it only in the longitudinal direction.
3. Treat all steps, balusters, railings in the same way.
4. If the color of the impregnation turned out to be uneven, repeat the treatment. In order for the stain to lay down more evenly, not to leave stains, to better emphasize the texture of the wood, moisten the surface with water before applying it. When working with the stain, wear rubber gloves, as contact with soiled rags is inevitable.

Before staining the entire staircase, experiment with the tone in a small, inconspicuous area.

Finishing varnish (with video instructions)

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

Glossy surface wear looks especially unsightly

• Combined coatingFor painting the internal stairs, you can use the combined method. 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 varnish for steps is polyurethane parquet. It is expensive, but extremely durable.

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

Painting internal stairs does not present serious difficulties and is quite affordable for a home master. If you have purchased high-quality materials and followed the technology while working, your staircase will fulfill its tasks and look brilliant for a very long time.

The wooden staircase in the house looks amazing. Wood is not just one of the most environmentally friendly materials, it has a special energy and can bring comfort and magical warmth to any room. At the same time, unfortunately, it is not capable, like, for example, metal or glass, of maintaining its unchanged appearance for a very long time and often requires restoration. And if the wooden staircase is on the street, the impact of external factors can be merciless.

Protecting and maintaining this noble structure is the task of any good owner. Painting a wooden staircase with your own hands is quite real, given all the nuances and requirements for wood processing. Our article will help you with this.

How to paint stairs?

So, let's deal first with the materials that are used to create a protective coating.

Used at the beginning. It is necessary to sand and putty the wooden elements of the stairs. This is necessary to get rid of defects, as well as to create a layer of coating that is resistant to moisture penetration.

• Acrylic putty- fire and moisture resistant, dries quickly, but not too durable. May crack if applied too thick.
• Epoxy putty – resistant to water and various chemical compositions, odorless. Not suitable for further wood staining.
• Polymer putty- dries quickly, environmentally friendly, odorless, well levels, expensive material.
• Oil putty- takes a long time to dry, but creates a durable coating.

The color of the putty is determined by the color of the wood. There is a variety of brands on the market offering materials with a wide palette for different types of wood (Tikkurila, Lakra, Eurotex, also domestic Raduga, Extra, etc.).

It has an antimicrobial, antifungal effect, protects against harmful insects. Types of antiseptics:

• Oil . Has water repellent properties. Gives wood a darker shade. Of the minuses: combustible, has a peculiar stable smell. Not recommended for interior applications.
• water soluble. It is easy to wash off, when using this composition, you need to allow the surface to dry well.
• Organic. Strengthens wood, penetrating deep into the wood. Toxic, gives the tree a greenish tint. It is not recommended to use for internal stairs, as well as structures containing metal.
• Flame retardants are combined antiseptics.

There are various brands on the market: Tikkurila, Aquatex, Neomid, Senezh, Pirilax, etc. When using the compositions, it is important to follow the instructions, strictly observing the indicated proportions.

Fire protection impregnation. Necessary requirement for wooden structures. It is carried out at the stage of manufacturing stairs. Then the procedure should be repeated every five years.

With its help, you can easily give the tree the desired shade. Unlike paint, it penetrates deep into the structure of the tree.

• Water stains are the most popular, however, they raise the pile on the tree, so before applying it is recommended to moisten the surface with water, let it dry, and then sand it.
• Alcohol dries quickly, this must be taken into account when applying so that there are no streaks or stains on the tree.
• Oil paints are very easy to use, do not raise the pile, have the widest range of color shades.
• wax, acrylic- products of the latest developments. Do not violate the structure of the tree, create a protective layer, water-repellent. More expensive, their price in comparison, for example, with water stains, is 5 times higher.

Strengthens the surface by gluing wood fibers, counteracts the absorption of moisture, disinfects, helps to reduce the consumption of paint or varnish. The best option would be a universal primer, but for expensive woods, you can opt for a specialized one. Fresh wood must be processed at least twice, after having previously cycled and polished.

At the final stage of creating a coating, paint or varnish is used. They will be discussed below.

Paint selection criteria

Painting stairs is a way not only to create a protective coating on a wooden surface, but also to implement various design solutions to create unique objects.

The main selection criterion will be the location of the stairs - indoors or outdoors. Based on this, attention should be paid to wear resistance, durability, resistance to temperature changes, external factors, toxicity, elasticity, fire resistance, drying time and coating consumption. Types of paints differ in the nature of the composition, which determines their main characteristics. Allocate:

• Acrylic based paints. They are more suitable for interior work, moisture resistant, protect against fungus and mold, do not have a strong odor, are durable, have a voluminous texture, and are easy to use. Helps create deep, rich colors. Matte or semi-gloss options should be chosen so that the steps are not slippery.
• Acrylic paints. For outdoor structures. They have good protective properties.
• Paints based on latex. Non-toxic, easy to apply, eco-friendly, breathable. Such coatings are durable and pleasant to the touch.
• Water-based paints (water-based). Their fire resistance properties are higher than those of others. Temperature resistant, wear resistant. Suitable for external and internal structures.
• Staining paints. They are colorless, emphasize and make more expressive the natural structure of wood, are used to create finishing coatings for stairs both inside and outside the room.
• Alkyd. They dry quickly, perfectly hide imperfections, have good water-repellent properties, often have a pungent odor, and are less durable. Recommended for interior structures.
• Polyurethane. Wear-resistant, durable, heat-resistant, dry quickly.
• Oil paints. Cheap, require at least two coats, have a toxic persistent odor that disappears after a few days, are economical in consumption, create a dense, non-breathable coating on the wood, which can crack over time. Currently, they are used quite rarely due to the advent of more modern formulations.

Lacquer selection criteria

The design can be ennobled and protected with varnish. Depending on the composition and properties, the following varieties are distinguished:

• Nitrocellulose. They create a durable coating, dry quickly, and are resistant to seasonal environmental influences. They can cover street structures.
• Alcohol based. Quick drying compounds, excellent for polishing. They have negative moisture and frost resistance, and therefore it is not recommended to use them for processing stairs on the street.
• Oil. They dry for a long time, have low moisture resistance. Used for interior work.
• Polyurethane. Strong, wear-resistant, recommended for work with external staircases.
• Acrylic. Universal and most widely used. Suitable for both internal and external stairs. They provide the surface with high strength and resistance to mechanical damage.

Enamel selection criteria

Beautiful wooden stairs are also obtained after painting with enamel, which is a mixture of colorless varnish and coloring pigment. The requirements for them are the same as for the above coatings. Enamels from European manufacturers have such properties as high environmental friendliness, resistance to yellowing, strength, and the ability to protect the structure from aggressive environmental influences. We recommend applying them with an aerosol.

How to paint a wooden staircase?

Now let's look at how to properly paint a wooden staircase. Main stages:

• puttying;
• skinning;
• sweep.

It is important to achieve a perfectly smooth, uniform surface. Grinding is carried out with fine sandpaper or a scraping machine in two stages with a gap of a couple of days to remove the villi of the tree that have risen after the first time. For final cleaning use a vacuum cleaner.

Applying a finishing coat. When processing stairs with varnish or paint, a few basic rules should be observed:

1. Start painting the stairs from top to bottom (the exception is the stairs to the basement, where painting starts from the bottom steps).
2. It is necessary to paint the stairs 2-3 times. Each new layer is applied only after the previous one has completely dried. Layers are applied in different directions: first we move the brush from side to side, on the next layer - back and forth.
3. Use a brush or roller to work. Lacquer stain, like some paints, is recommended to be applied with an airbrush to ensure a more even distribution.
4. Remember to protect your hands and respiratory system, especially if using toxic formulations.

How to paint a pine staircase?

We will write a little more about painting stairs from this type of wood, since in the process of working with resinous wood it is necessary to perform deresining. This can be done using the following composition. For 1 liter of hot water, 200 ml of acetone, 50 g of baking soda, 10 ml of alcohol, 40 g of soap flakes, 50 g of potash are taken.

The solution is applied with a brush, then the wooden surface is washed with hot water, then it must be allowed to dry. Paint for pine stairs is also applied in 3 layers, varnish needs 6-7 layers.

What color to paint the stairs in the house, you choose. Modern manufacturers of paint and varnish coatings offer the consumer the widest range of color shades. In the classic version, the color of the stairs is usually darker than the overall tone of the room. In modern interiors, sometimes the most daring design solutions are embodied, but do not forget that the noble, natural color of wood will always remain out of competition - this is not an aging classic.