Stairs
How to Replicate Antique Staircase Balusters
General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner by hand-carving a new rope baluster for their ornate Queen Anne home’s staircase.
How to Replace Staircase Balusters
General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner by installing a hand-carved baluster for their ornate Queen Anne home’s staircase.
How to Repair Flagstone Steps
Watch Ask This Old House Mason Mark McCullough help a homeowner repair their flagstone steps in the entryway, making them safe and stable.
How to Repair Sandstone Steps
Mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner solve an issue with a crumbling sandstone veneer on their front steps, improving the safety and curb appeal of their home.
This Quick Tip Will Help You Space Balusters Evenly
General contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor a quick, simple trick for spacing balusters evenly, and it doesn’t even require math.
How to Repair a Dog-Chewed Newel Post
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to bring a gnawed newel post back to its original splendor.
How to Keep Your Stairs Up to Code
Stairs that are poorly designed or too dimly lit pose a safety hazard, while stairs that are uniform in their dimensions and built according to code are comfortable and safe to ascend and descend. Luckily for all concerned, modern building codes for stairs are very straightforward, and the principles for exterior and interior stairs are identical. Read on to learn more about how to keep your stairs up to code.
How to Paint Outdoor Railings
Painter Mauro Henrique paints an outdoor railing that Nathan just built to match the original railing around a homeowner’s deck.
How to Build a Deck Railing
Carpenter Nathan Gilbert builds and installs a railing for deck stairs that will match the original railing around the rest of the deck.
What to Know About Cutting Stair Stringers
Most of the work in making stair stringers—the diagonal elements that support the treads and risers—is in laying them out. Read on to learn more about the steps to take when cutting stair stringers.
How to Build a Low-Maintenance Home
While there’s no such thing as a maintenance-free house, it is important to invest in the right materials that will go the distance for you and your home. Read our guide to the best materials to make your home a low maintenance one.
How to Remove Carpet From Stairs
Removing carpet from stairs can be easily tackled in a day or over the weekend, without hiring a professional. Read on to learn easiest method for carpet removal on your staircase.
How to Refinish Worn Out Stair Treads
In this edition of DIY Smarts, Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert demonstrates how to refinish stair treads.
How to Tighten a Loose Newel Post
In this edition of DIY Smarts, Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert travels to a Sears kit house in Richmond, Virginia to tighten an old, loose stair railing.
All About Stairs
Learn about changing elevation, one step at a time.
How to Update Stair Treads and Risers
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva teaches a homeowner how to replace split-level stair treads in his mid-century modern home.
Stencil Ideas for Stair Risers
Take your staircase from ho-hum to sensational with these attractive options for stenciled risers.
Sneak Peek: Brookline Stair Risers
At our mid-century-modern project, there’s a whole lot of climbing going on
How to Connect Stair Railing Parts
Most staircase railings come from stock pieces found at many home centers that can easily be connected by a homeowner. Tom Silva explains the best way to ensure a strong connection between each part.
Paint a Candy-Colored Staircase
A secondary staircase becomes a visual treat when painted a handful of unexpected hues
How to Fix a Loose Stair Rail End Cap
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva fixes an end cap on a stair railing that keeps coming loose.
Open House | Dangerous Staircases
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva analyzes a staircase that is not to code for prospective homebuyers.
How to Build a Chippendale Railing
Kevin O’Connor and Jeff Sweenor demonstrate how to assemble and install a Chippendale railing for the Rhode Island Beach House
Add Wine Storage Under the Stairs
Use dead space under a stair case to keep wine at the ready
How to Build Porch Stairs
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva builds a safe and solid set of porch stairs.
How to Replace a Pull-Down Attic Staircase
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva removes an old attic staircase and replaces it with a new one.
Dress Up Stair Risers With Vinyl Decals
Peel-and-stick a new look onto a tired staircase with no long-term commitment
13 Imaginative Painted Stair Ideas
Add style, color, and impact to your staircase with these beautiful painted stair ideas.
How to Replace a Stair Railing
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shares some tricks for installing a new, sturdy staircase balustrade.
How to Build Granite Porch Stairs
This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to create durable, beautiful stone steps
How to Repair a Wobbly Newel Post
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to stabilize an unsteady staircase post