Solid Oak Staircase Renovations Birmingham
Transform your existing staircase with solid oak treads, new risers and a complete balustrade upgrade — without the cost and disruption of replacing the entire staircase.
Most people who call us don't actually want a brand-new staircase — they want their current one to stop being a problem. It squeaks, a tread has cracked, the whole thing looks tired. The catch is that a staircase is built from the floor below, so ripping it out and starting again means tearing into the ceiling and plaster of the room underneath. When that room is a downstairs WC or hallway you have just spent money doing up, wrecking it isn't an option. A solid oak retread fixes the stairs from the top down — sorting the squeaks and worn treads and giving you the oak-staircase look — while leaving the rooms below untouched.
Our stair renovations are built around proper solid oak treads, not thin oak veneer over MDF or plywood. Each staircase is measured, prepared and fitted to suit your existing structure — with options for new handrails, baserails, spindles, glass balustrades, newel details, trims and landing nosing.
Most standard straight-flight installations are completed in one to two days once your staircase has been surveyed and prepared. One-day fitting is available on suitable straight staircases.
Prefer to start from scratch? Compare a renovation with a full bespoke staircase — or read our guide on cladding vs a new staircase.
Stair cladding in Birmingham, without the cheap-kit look
A solid oak staircase renovation sits between a low-cost DIY veneer kit and a full staircase replacement — the look and feel of a new oak staircase, fitted over your sound existing structure.
| DIY veneer kit | Hardwood Home renovation | New staircase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tread | Thin oak veneer over MDF or ply | 22mm solid European oak, full thickness | New solid oak staircase |
| Fitting | Self-installed with adhesive | Surveyed, prepared & professionally fitted | Built & installed |
| Sand & refinish later | Only until the veneer wears through | Yes — solid oak through the thickness | Yes |
| Disruption | DIY finish, at your own pace | Low — typically 1–2 days, no rebuild | High — full rebuild |
| Typical cost | Supply only, roughly £50–£90 per step | Fitted, from £2,395 | Fitted, from ~£4,000 |
DIY kit costs are a rough supply-only guide — around £50–£90 per step for the parts, so the total climbs with every extra step and still doesn’t include fitting. Our renovation prices are fully fitted, surveyed and finished.
Proper solid oak treads, not thin veneer
Our standard stair renovation uses 22mm solid European oak treads made from real oak staves for strength, stability and long-term durability.
Unlike veneer stair kits, the walking surface and front edge are solid oak through the full thickness. That means the treads can be sanded, finished and maintained like proper hardwood — not a thin skin that can wear through.
For selected projects we can also quote for 25mm solid oak treads after survey, where the staircase layout, landings and floor levels are suitable.
Not a DIY veneer cladding kit
Many stair renovation kits use a thin oak veneer over MDF, plywood or engineered board. They can look good at first, but once the edge is knocked, sanded through or damaged, the core underneath can be exposed.
Hardwood Home’s stair renovations are different. We fit proper solid oak treads as part of a measured, prepared and professionally installed staircase upgrade, with risers, trims and balustrade options chosen to suit your home.
Our stair treads are solid oak through the full thickness — not a thin oak veneer over MDF or plywood.
Two ways to transform your stairs
Keep your balustrade and refresh the treads, or upgrade the whole visible staircase. Every project is quoted individually after a free survey.
Solid Oak Retread Package
For refreshing the stairs while keeping your existing balustrade.
from £2,395
for a standard 14-step straight flight
- 22mm solid European oak treads
- New risers
- Bullnose or softened front edge
- Landing nosing
- Hand-finishing
- Professional fitting
Full Staircase Transformation
Most popularThe complete upgrade — treads, risers and a brand-new balustrade.
Priced after survey
Most fall between roughly £5,000 and £9,000, depending on your balustrade choice and number of steps
- 22mm solid European oak treads
- New risers
- New handrail
- New baserail
- Spindles or glass balustrade
- Newel caps & details
- Trims & landing nosing
- Hand-finishing
- Professional fitting
Optional upgrades
- 25mm solid oak treads (survey-only, where the staircase and floor levels suit)
- Solid oak risers
- Glass balustrade
- Premium prime-grade oak
- Bespoke staining or finishing
Final price depends on staircase shape, number of steps, winders, balustrade choice, landing work, preparation needed and finishing option.
Surveyed, prepared and professionally fitted
Every staircase is surveyed before installation to check the existing structure, step consistency, landing transitions, handrail height, balustrade openings and overall suitability. This helps ensure the finished staircase looks right, feels right and is suitable for everyday use.
- 01
Book a staircase survey
Send us photos of your current stairs, then we visit to check the structure, rise and going, landings and balustrade — and confirm what your staircase will take.
- 02
Choose your package & finish
Retread or full transformation, your oak grade and finish, plus balustrade options — timber spindles, glass, newel and trim details.
- 03
Prepared to measure
We use solid European oak, prepared and fitted by our team in the West Midlands to suit your existing staircase.
- 04
Professional fitting
Most standard straight-flight installations are completed in one to two days once surveyed and prepared. One-day fitting is available on suitable straight staircases.
What the survey checks
- Existing structure & condition
- Step consistency — rise & going
- Landing & floor-level transitions
- Handrail height
- Balustrade openings & gaps
- Overall suitability for everyday use
Trusted by homeowners across the region
“Our new oak staircase is the centrepiece of the house. The craftsmanship is faultless and the team were a pleasure throughout.”
Sarah & James M.
Solihull
“The glass and oak balustrade completely transformed our landing. Beautifully made and fitted with real care.”
David R.
Leamington Spa
“From quote to installation everything was seamless. The pergola is stunning and built to last. Highly recommended.”
Priya K.
Warwick
Solid oak staircase renovations, answered
What is a solid oak staircase renovation?
A staircase renovation transforms your existing staircase with solid oak treads, new risers and — if you choose — a new balustrade, instead of replacing the whole structure. Sometimes called stair cladding or retreading, it gives the look and feel of a new oak staircase with far less cost, mess and disruption.
Will you have to rip out the room below the stairs?
No — and it is the main reason people choose a retread over a new staircase. A replacement staircase is built from the floor below, so fitting a new one usually means disturbing the ceiling, plaster and any room underneath, often a downstairs WC or hallway that has already been done up. A retread is fitted over your existing stairs from the top, so the rooms below are left untouched while the squeaks, cracks and worn treads are sorted out.
Are your stair treads solid oak or veneer?
Our stair treads are solid oak through the full thickness — not a thin oak veneer over MDF or plywood. We use 22mm solid European oak treads made from real oak staves, so the walking surface and front edge can be sanded, finished and maintained like proper hardwood. Risers, stringer panels and trims are specified separately depending on the finish you choose.
How much does a staircase renovation cost?
Our Solid Oak Retread Package starts from £2,395 for a standard 14-step straight flight. A Full Staircase Transformation — new treads, risers, handrail, baserail, spindles or glass and newel details — is priced individually after survey, and most fall between roughly £5,000 and £9,000 depending on your balustrade choice and the number of steps. Final price depends on staircase shape, winders, landing work, preparation and finish.
How long does the work take?
Most standard straight-flight installations are completed in one to two days once your staircase has been surveyed and prepared. One-day fitting is available on suitable straight staircases. Larger staircases, winders or full balustrade upgrades can take longer.
What is the difference between stair cladding and retreading?
They describe the same idea — covering your existing staircase in solid oak treads and risers rather than rebuilding it. We use “renovation” or “transformation” for the fitted, surveyed service we provide, to set it apart from loose boards and DIY veneer kits.
Can any staircase be renovated?
Most timber staircases in sound condition can be renovated. Every staircase is surveyed first to check the structure, step consistency, landing transitions, handrail height and balustrade openings. If yours is not suitable, we will tell you honestly and quote for a bespoke replacement instead.
Can you upgrade the balustrade too?
Yes. The Full Staircase Transformation includes a new handrail, baserail, spindles or glass, newel caps and trims. Any new handrail, spindles or balustrade we fit is designed to meet Building Regulations Part K — including handrail height and the 100mm sphere gap — which we confirm at survey.
Still have a question? Get in touch for a free quote.
Book a staircase survey
Send us photos of your current staircase and we’ll advise whether a solid oak retread or a full staircase transformation is the best fit — then give you a fixed written quote after survey.
Book a staircase survey