Stairs, Treads & Railings in Guelph
Stair Installation, Recapping & Railings in Guelph
Guelph Flooring Pros installs stair treads, risers, nosings and railings, and recaps carpeted stairs in hardwood, for homes and businesses across Guelph and the surrounding towns. Most of our stair work is done alongside a new floor or refinish, so the staircase matches the rooms it connects.
Stairs are where flooring skill shows most clearly. Every step is a separate piece of carpentry, and every tread and riser must be cut, fitted and fastened so the staircase looks consistent and stays safe for decades.
With more than 15 years of experience and 1500 completed jobs, we have recapped 1990s builder stairs, rebuilt worn century-home staircases and fitted runners on open-sided stairs. This page covers stair recapping, new treads and risers, railings and code requirements, finish options and how stair work in Guelph is priced.
- 15+ years
- 1500+ jobs
- WSIB covered
- 2-year labour warranty
1500+
floors completed
Stairs Are Where Flooring Jobs Get Judged
Stairs are the most visible part of a floor in most homes. They sit in the front hall, they are seen from every angle, and they are walked on more often than almost any other surface.
They are also technically demanding. Each tread has to be cut to the exact width between skirt boards, nosings must line up, and every rise must stay within a few millimetres of the next so nobody trips.
When a stair job is rushed, it shows in gaps at the skirt boards, mismatched colour and uneven steps. Those are the details we slow down for.
Recapping Carpeted Stairs in Hardwood
Stair recapping is the most requested stair job we do. Many Guelph homes built from the 1980s onward have carpeted stairs over plain construction-grade treads, and owners want hardwood that matches their new floors.
Recapping means installing new hardwood treads and risers over the existing structure without rebuilding the staircase. We remove the carpet, cut off the old tread nosings flush with the risers, then glue and fasten new cap treads and riser panels.
Because caps add thickness, we adjust the top and bottom steps so every rise stays equal. Skipping that adjustment is how some recaps create a trip hazard on the first or last step.
New Treads, Risers and Nosings
On open stairs or major renovations, we replace treads and risers entirely with solid hardwood, commonly oak or maple. Nosings are milled to match the edge profile of the adjoining floor.
Matching the main floor is where most stair jobs go wrong. A stair tread is solid wood, while your floor may be engineered with a factory stain. We match species, grade and colour and often finish stair parts on site to blend.
Where the stair meets a landing or upper hall, we install a flush stair nose or landing tread that joins the floor without a visible step or gap.
Railings, Posts and Spindles
We install and replace handrails, newel posts and balusters (spindles) in wood and metal. Many homeowners swap older wooden spindles for black or brushed metal balusters to update a staircase without replacing the whole railing.
Railings aren't just decoration. Under the Ontario Building Code, handrail height is generally between 865 and 965 mm (about 34 to 38 inches) above the stair nosing, and guards inside a home must usually be at least 900 mm high.
Openings between balusters must also be small enough that a 100 mm (4 inch) sphere can't pass through. We build to these requirements and check existing railings when we work on a staircase.
Carpeted, Hardwood or Runner Stairs
Carpeted stairs
are the warmest, quietest and most slip-resistant, which suits homes with young children or older adults. They also cost the least. See carpet installation for stair carpet methods.
Hardwood stairs
look sharp and last for decades, but they can be slippery in socks and louder underfoot. A satin finish rather than gloss helps with grip.
Runner stairs
combine hardwood edges with a carpet strip down the centre. They look tailored, soften footsteps and add grip, but cost more because they involve both hardwood and carpet work.
Why Stairs Are Quoted Per Step
A room of flooring is priced by the square foot because most of the work is repetitive. A staircase isn't.
Each step has its own measurements, cuts, fastening and finishing, and a staircase that covers 40 square feet can take as long as 400 square feet of open floor. Pricing per step reflects the real labour involved.
That's also why stair work surprises people in flooring quotes. We list stairs as a separate line so you can see exactly what they cost.
Landings, Winders and Curved Stairs
Straight stairs are the simplest and least expensive. Landings add a small section of flooring and extra nosing work.
Winders are the pie-shaped steps where a stair turns a corner. Every winder is a different shape, so each tread has to be individually templated and cut, which makes them several times the cost of a standard step.
Curved and open-sided stairs are the most complex and are quoted after a site visit.
What Stair Work Costs in Guelph
Typical 2026 prices in Guelph:
| Stair work | Cost |
|---|---|
| Recap carpeted stairs in oak (tread and riser) | $175 to $325 per step |
| Winder or pie-shaped step | $300 to $500 or more per step |
| Refinish existing hardwood treads | $50 to $100 per step |
| Carpet stairs, labour only | $15 to $30 per step |
| Replace wood spindles with metal balusters | $30 to $60 per baluster, installed |
Handrails and newel posts are quoted by run and style.
FAQ
Stair Questions
How much does it cost to recap a set of stairs?
For a typical straight staircase of 13 steps, recapping in oak usually costs $2,300 to $4,200 including treads, risers and finishing. Winders, landings and open sides add to that.
Can you match my new floors to the stairs?
Yes. We match species, grade and colour, mill nosings to match your floor's edge and can stain treads on site to blend with prefinished flooring. We show you a finished sample before completing the staircase.
Do railings need to meet code?
Yes. The Ontario Building Code sets handrail heights, guard heights and maximum openings between balusters. We build to code and point out any existing railing that doesn't meet current requirements.
How long are the stairs out of use?
Recapping a typical staircase takes one to two days. With site-finished treads, stairs usually can't be walked on for about 24 hours after the final coat. If it's your only staircase, we can finish alternate steps so you can still use it.
When we install stairs with new floors, see hardwood floor installation for how we match the two.
Free written quote
Get a Per-Step Stair Quote
We count, measure and photograph each step, then quote it line by line. Call 226-790-3755 or request a quote.
- 1
Call or send the form
Tell us the rooms, the floor you want and your timeline.
- 2
Free on-site measure
We measure, check the subfloor and take moisture readings.
- 3
Itemised written quote
Every line listed. No deposit needed to receive it.
Open Monday to Saturday 7am to 9pm, Sunday 9am to 5pm.