Staircase Painters in Cambridge

Original turned timber spindles in Cambridge’s Victorian terraces cannot be painted efficiently with a roller. Each spindle is hand-painted individually, reaching all faces and any carved or turned detail.

The most common mistake with spindle painting is bridging: paint spanning across adjacent spindles and forming webs. We prevent this by painting each spindle completely before moving to the next. Each spindle is sanded lightly between coats.

The handrail is the most handled surface in the house and takes the most wear. We strip back any flaking or peeling varnish, prime bare timber, and apply a durable finish coat — typically gloss or hardwearing satin.

In properties where a natural timber look is preferred, we can stain and varnish rather than paint. We advise on appropriate products based on the timber type and the client’s preference.

Risers (the vertical faces between each tread) are painted in the same colour as the spindles and balustrade in most Cambridge period staircases. Treads that are painted rather than carpeted need a durable floor paint or hard-wearing enamel.

Where treads are to be painted, we use a specialist floor paint with appropriate hardness for foot traffic. Carpeted treads are masked at the string and riser junction to avoid any overspill.

The understairs cupboard or alcove is often repainted at the same time as the staircase. It gets heavy use and typically looks dated before the rest of the hallway.

We paint the understairs walls, ceiling, and any shelving as part of the staircase scope. The floor of the cupboard is masked or painted depending on the client’s preference.

Original Victorian and Edwardian staircases in Cambridge are not uniform. Some properties in Newnham and on Grantchester Road have elaborate turned balustrades with decorative newel caps. Others in Romsey and Colville Road have simpler square-profile spindles.

Both need the same underlying approach: thorough preparation, correct primer on bare or stripped timber, and patient hand-painting. We assess the specific staircase during the site visit and quote accordingly.