Maple flooring and staircase renovation in Portland, ME, 2025

Water damage was the catalyst. The result was a full transformation of the home from the bottom to the top.

An unfortunate weekend away resulted in water pouring down the walls of this home in Portland, and began a long renovation process for the homeowners. We came in to help with the flooring and staircases.

Using the original staircase handrail, we were able to renovate and retain the beautiful custom elements of the staircase while also updating the appearance and making sure that the staircase and floors can last for generations to come.

We installed new subfloor, then sand and finish on site 3-1/4” Maple flooring. Following the flooring, we took the original staircase and handrail system apart and installed new framing, treads, risers, and replaced the damaged balusters. Then refinished the handrail and newel posts and reassembled on site to ensure we kept the charm and character of the original staircase.

This project was one of our favorites over the last few years.

IMG_20250506_134937.jpg
20240617_151646.jpg
20240617_151758.jpg
Before renovation, after water damage. The floor boards were cupping and the staircase was as creaky as they come!
Before renovation - the red oak flooring was poorly installed originally and water damaged.
The original staircase - desperately ready for some TLC.
20241023_105305.jpg
Out with the old, in with the new...subfloor! The subfloor under the prefinished red oak that was removed was not stable enough to meet code. We added a layer of Advantech subfloor to bring the floor up to code and take away the bounce.
Mid way through the flooring installation of sand and finish on site 3-1/4" Maple.
Old meets new. The bedroom was the only area that was safe from water damage.
Custom trim work included putting nosing around each baluster for this handrail system.
The floor is in, sanded, and has two coats of finish. One more to go.
The finished floor in the loft area.
Finished loft floor area
The floor is done!
The flooring is done, next up staircase renovation and rehabilitation.
The skirts were held together with duct tape in some areas! This old staircase was ready for a facelift. We added new risers and maple treads and were able to repair the original skirtboards.
In progress on the handrail system and tread installation. The newel posts couldn't be removed, so we carefully refinished those on site.
Custom curved trim pieces were necessary to keep the staircase consistent with the original handrail system.
Stairs installed, trim set, and ready for the balusters and handrail to make their way home.
The lower staircase is complete!
Job complete. The staircase, floor, handrail system and trim all got an upgrade in this beautiful home.
IMG_20250506_134058.jpg
The winders were a big transformation, both in appearance and stability. The original framing was rotting away, so we were able to reinforce and add framing to make these stairs stable and ready to last for generations to come.
IMG_20250506_134103.jpg
The finished product.
The completed project. One of our favorites!
As an added bonus, we got to do the tile installation in the entry way and upgrade the floor from the first floor all the way to the third.
Previous

Ash Floor Refinish