Leeds Painting Company
Woodwork, doors and staircases
Skirtings, doors, panelling and staircases are what people touch and look at most. We give them the most careful finish in the house.
Woodwork & staircases
What the work involves
Woodwork is where a decorator's standard shows. Old runs and drips are cut back, dents and open joints are filled, knots are sealed so they do not bleed through, and every surface is rubbed down between coats. The result is a smooth, even sheen with straight lines where the woodwork meets the wall.
Staircases take careful planning, because the house still has to be used. We work in sections so you can get up and down, and spindles, strings, handrails and newel posts each get the same attention. Painted stair treads and risers can be finished in a hard-wearing floor paint.
We also strip and refinish where old paint has built up so thickly that the detail is lost, which is common on Victorian and Edwardian doors, architraves and spindles across Leeds.
The process
How we approach it
- 01
Protect
Floors and carpets masked at the edges, door furniture removed.
- 02
Prepare
Rub down, cut back old runs, fill, knot and prime bare timber.
- 03
Coat
Undercoat and finish laid off evenly, rubbed down between coats.
- 04
Check
Edges, lines and sheen checked in daylight before we hand back.
Straight advice
Worth knowing before you book
Water-based or oil
Modern water-based trim paints stay white and dry quickly; oil-based paints give a harder, glassier finish but can yellow over time. We will recommend the right one for your rooms.
Sash windows
Painted-shut sashes are a common problem in older houses. We cut them free, ease them and make sure they still run when we finish.
Where we work
Woodwork & staircases across Leeds
We provide this service throughout the city and the surrounding towns and villages, including these areas.
All areasFAQs
Questions about woodwork and staircases
Can you paint over varnished wood?
Yes, once the varnish has been keyed and primed with a suitable primer. Without that, the new paint can peel away.
How do you paint a staircase that we still need to use?
In sections, so there is always a dry route up and down. We will plan the order with you before we start.
Should woodwork be gloss, satin or eggshell?
It is mainly taste. Eggshell and satin give a softer, more modern look; gloss is traditional and very hard-wearing. We can paint a sample so you can compare.
Can you strip old paint off doors and spindles?
Yes. Where layers of paint have blurred the detail, we strip back and start again, which brings the joinery back to how it was made.
Want a price for your rooms?
Free home visit, an honest look at the job and a written quote. No pressure, no obligation.