Need ideas to finish stairs

[frediaz]

I am refurbishing a property, where the stairs structure is in good condition. There was carpet on them but I do not really want carpet again. I am trying to think of how to provide a finish to them. This is not a luxury house so no solid oak covering. I need to do the steps and the stringers. I will buy a bannister kit, probably wood finish (if not expensive) orf painted white. The floor below will be laminate in light wood finish. The landing will have laminate floor too.
I wonder if I can fit the new spindles to the stringer top edge. Will it be strong enough.
See photo:

Untitled

• frediaz
• 26 Sep 2012
• 1

Thanks

 

[paul_v]

you could strip and varnish them but then they wouldnt match your laminate so might look strange, i know you said you dont want carpet but that might be your best solution.

Unless you have solid wood or carpet anything painted or with a high gloss finish will just make the stairs slippery

Are you doing it up to sell or live in? If you are only selling it dont get carried away making the house your own, make it into whatever's selling.

The stringer should be strong enough to accept the base rail that the spindles sit in. You might need to add a decorative timber on the hall side of the stringer to 1 thicken it up so the base rail is better ballanced and 2 make it look better than the painted stringer if you go for the natural wood spindles.