Care and maintenance of oak staircases

If you’re fortunate enough to have a beautiful oak staircase in your home, you’ll already know just how eye-catching it can be. The subtle colours and enigmatic grains afforded by natural oak are a joy to behold, but how do you maintain your staircase and ensure it’s kept in the best possible condition? As experienced joinery specialists in Chichester, West Sussex, we have some useful tips to help you ensure your staircase will last for many years to come.

There are two options for the final finish of an oak staircase; you can either coat it with clear varnishes or oils, or you can paint the wood itself. Either way, there will be some form of maintenance required to keep it looking wonderful. Care and maintenance of oak staircases is a relatively simple process, and of course the rewards will be there for all to see.

Maintenance for a clear OAK finish

If you’ve decided to have a clear finish, you can protect it and augment the look by using any one of several products on the market. Here at JLA Joinery, we recommend using Osmo Oil, a liquid that’s easy to apply and is available in a number of finishes. Find your nearest stockist here. The overall effect of the natural wood is stunning, and will make any oak staircase a stand-out focal point for the whole property.

A couple of coats of Osmo Oil will bring out the grain of the wood from the start, and if you apply a further coat every year or so you’ll be impressed by the results. If you have any scuff marks or scratches to deal with, it’s a good idea to rub the area down with a fine grit sandpaper first. By doing this, the oil will be able to soak into the wood more easily.

 

Painted staircases need just as much care

Many people will choose to paint their staircases instead, and this will also provide protection for the wood. It’s worth remembering, however, that you will still need to think about care and maintenance of painted oak stairs in the coming years. The painted wood will need to be cleaned on a regular basis, and any damage to the paintwork will need to be rubbed down before repainting.

If you think about how often you have your car washed, it’s perhaps understandable that experts recommend washing painted staircases just as often – just a mild and warm soapy water will do the job, and be sure to dry afterwards to remove streaks. It’s also worth bearing in mind that external wooden staircases – which are open to the elements – will require even more maintenance.

As always, if you have any doubts we’d be happy to offer advice and guidance. We are a joinery company West Sussex can trust, and our knowledge and experience have made us leaders in our field.

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