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Hardwood Stair Services
From revealing hidden hardwood to complete staircase transformations, we handle every aspect of stair renovation.
Carpet-to-Hardwood Conversion
Under that carpet, there's often solid wood waiting to be revealed. We remove the carpet, repair any damage, and refinish the treads to match your floors.
New Tread Installation
When the existing wood isn't usable, we install new hardwood treads over your existing stairs, giving you the wood look without full reconstruction.
Riser Refinishing
Risers (the vertical part of each step) matter too. We refinish or paint them to complete the look.
Railing Replacement
From simple wood railings to decorative iron balusters. Railings are a design statement that should match your style.
Baluster Updates
Swapping old spindles for new balusters can completely change your staircase's look. Wood-to-iron conversions make a huge visual impact.
Common Projects
These are the stair transformations we do most often.
Carpet Removal + Refinishing
The most common request—especially in established neighborhoods like Dilworth and Myers Park. Under that 20-year-old carpet is hardwood that just needs attention.
Tread Overlays
When the existing wood isn't salvageable, we install new hardwood treads on top. Creates a brand new look without demolition.
Full Railing Replacement
From simple wood railings to decorative iron balusters. We handle structural railings and decorative updates.
Matching to New Floors
Got new floors downstairs and now your stairs look dated? We make them match so everything flows together.
Two Paths: Full Replacement or RetroFit Overlay
Both produce beautiful hardwood stairs. The right one depends on the structure underneath, your timeline, and how much renovation makes sense for your home.
Full Tread Replacement
Existing treads and risers come out completely. New solid hardwood treads with proper bullnose, and new risers, are installed in place.
Best when
- The existing wood is damaged or rotted
- You want the most polished, original-quality result
- Resale value matters — full replacement reads as a real renovation
- Stair height/code compliance is tight (no added thickness)
Typical timeline3-5 days for a typical 13-step staircase
RetroFit Overlay
Existing treads and risers stay in place. New hardwood treads (with bullnose nosing) and matching riser caps are installed over them with adhesive and finish nails.
Best when
- Existing structure is sound but cosmetically dated
- Budget or timeline is tighter
- You're matching new hardwood floors elsewhere in the home
- Removing existing treads would damage drywall or trim
Typical timeline2-3 days for a typical 13-step staircase
Nosing Profiles
The front edge of each tread — the part that overhangs the riser — sets the visual character of the whole staircase. We can route or order any of these profiles.
Rounded Bullnose
The classic, traditional profile. A smooth half-round on the front edge of each tread. Works with virtually any home style.
Square / Modern
Crisp 90-degree corners with a slight ease for safety. Best for contemporary homes — Ballantyne new builds, modern remodels, lofts.
Beveled
A 45-degree chamfer on the front edge. Less rounded than bullnose, less stark than square — a middle option.
Custom / Profiled
Routed-in profiles like ogee or cove. Most often seen on historic Charlotte homes (Eastover, Myers Park) where the existing trim has matching profiles.
Complete the Look
Your stairs should match your floors. When we refinish or install hardwood floors, stairs often look dated by comparison. Updating them creates a cohesive, finished look throughout your home.
Whether you want to reveal hidden hardwood, install new treads, or update your railings to modern iron balusters, we can help transform your staircase.
How We Transform Staircases
Stair work requires precision and attention to detail. Here's our approach.
01
Assessment
We look at your existing stairs - what's under the carpet (if applicable), structural condition, and what modifications are possible. Some staircases are straightforward; others require creative solutions.
02
Material Selection
Treads need to match your floors. We source wood of the same species, or complementary options if you want contrast. For railings, we'll show you styles and help you choose.
03
Removal
Carpet comes up. Old treads, if being replaced, are removed carefully. Old railings and balusters are extracted without damaging surrounding walls.
04
Installation
New treads are fitted precisely to each step (stairs are rarely perfectly uniform). Railings are mounted securely. Everything is checked for stability.
05
Finishing
Treads are sanded smooth and finished to match your floors. Railings are stained or painted to your specifications.
Common Questions
Is there hardwood under my carpeted stairs?
Often yes, but not always — and the species matters as much as whether it's there. In Charlotte's older neighborhoods (Dilworth, Plaza Midwood, Elizabeth) we often find heart pine or red oak originals that refinish beautifully. In post-1990 builds, what's underneath is more commonly pine (paint-grade quality, originally meant to be carpeted) or plywood. We can usually tell the moment we pull a corner of carpet up at the estimate.
Full replacement or RetroFit overlay — which makes sense?
Both have a place. Full replacement removes the existing tread completely and installs new hardwood — most polished result, best for damaged structures, and reads as a real renovation for resale. RetroFit installs new hardwood treads (with proper bullnose) directly over the existing structure — faster, less invasive, and cheaper, but adds about 3/4" to each step which can affect code compliance on the bottom step. We measure during the estimate and tell you which path fits your stairs.
Can you match my new hardwood floors to my stairs?
Yes — and we plan it that way. When you're installing or refinishing main-floor hardwood and updating stairs at the same time, we use the same species and run the stain process on the stairs at the same time as the floor. The result is a continuous look from landing to landing. If your floors are already done and we're matching after the fact, we test stain samples on stair tread offcuts before committing.
How long does a staircase project take?
Carpet removal + refinishing existing wood: 2-3 days (most of which is sand/finish/cure time). Full tread replacement: 3-5 days for a 13-step staircase. RetroFit overlay: 2-3 days. Adding new railings or balusters: usually 1-2 additional days depending on design. We give you a specific timeline at the estimate.
What about stair safety codes?
Residential stairs in Mecklenburg County follow the International Residential Code (IRC). Standard requirements: tread depth at least 10" (the part you step on), riser height no more than 7-3/4", nosing overhang 3/4" minimum, handrail height between 34-38". When we replace treads or do a full conversion, we keep everything code-compliant. RetroFit overlays slightly raise the bottom step height, which we account for at the floor transition so no step is suddenly too tall.
Can you do iron or metal balusters?
Yes. Wood-to-iron baluster conversions are one of the most popular updates we do — the visual change is dramatic and they're generally easier to keep clean than carved wood spindles. We coordinate with metal fabricators for custom designs, or use stock options from baluster suppliers. Existing handrails can stay, or we can replace those too.
Let's Complete the Look
Your stairs should match your floors. Get a free assessment and see what's possible for your staircase.