Hardwood Stairs in Fontana, CA
Hardwood Floors Walnut Fontana covers hardwood stairs in Fontana, CA, from carpeted builder staircases in two-story houses to worn existing treads, with the count of steps that sets the price and the landing where stair and floor have to match.
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Count your steps first
Staircases are priced by the number of steps, so count before asking. Many two-story houses have a straight flight of 12 to 15 steps; a turn or a landing adds a few. Count the risers, the vertical faces, not the treads.
| Size | Steps | New hardwood treads and risers | Refinish existing treads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short | up to 7 | $600–$1,500 | $350–$800 |
| Standard | 8 to 14 | $1,400–$3,200 | $750–$1,700 |
| Long or turned | 15 or more | $3,000–$6,000 | $1,500–$3,200 |
The staircase is priced as a flat line next to the room. These are market estimates, not quotes.
What the numbers show
- Stringer The slanted board on each side that supports the whole stair.
- Riser The upright face of a step, often painted a different color.
- Tread The flat surface a foot lands on; usually a thicker board than a floor plank.
- Nosing The rounded lip at the front edge of the tread; the first place wear shows.
- Handrail and post Trim that is masked off or refinished as a separate job.
Carpet off, then what is underneath
Builder stairs often have plain framing under the carpet and tack strips along each edge. Once the carpet and pad are off the installer looks at three things: whether the treads are solid wood or a thin board meant to be covered, whether the nosing is intact, and whether the riser is a painted board. Covered treads are replaced with new hardwood treads and risers; sound solid ones can be sanded.
Matching stair and landing
A new floor at the top of the stairs and an old tread at the bottom make a seam you see every day. Stair and floor are usually stained together so the color and sheen match. Water-based finishes dry clear; oil-modified ones amber a little over time, which matters when old boards sit beside new ones.
Slip risk and the first days
A fresh finish is slippery until it has cured, and treads are where it counts. People stay off a newly finished stair for as long as the finish maker's data sheet says, and a satin sheen gives more visual grip than gloss. Whatever the weather, the data sheet sets the wait. Handrail and baluster joints are checked while the stair is open.
Hardwood Stairs — common questions
Can carpeted stairs be changed to hardwood?
Often yes. The carpet comes off and the treads are inspected; sound ones are refinished and covered treads get new hardwood treads and risers.
Do the stairs have to match the floor upstairs?
Not by rule, but they usually are stained and finished together so the color and sheen read as one.
Hardwood Stairs: check availability and price range
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