Recapping vs Refinishing vs Conversion
The right approach depends on what you have today. Refinishing sands your existing hardwood treads and re-stains them — perfect for solid wood stairs that are scratched or dated but structurally sound. Recapping installs brand-new hardwood treads and risers over the existing staircase structure, which is the go-to when your treads are MDF, builder-grade, or beyond refinishing. Carpet-to-hardwood conversion is the full transformation — we strip the carpet, assess the structure, and finish with new solid treads and risers.
In Markham's newer subdivisions — Cornell, Greensborough, Wismer, Cathedraltown — most homes were built with carpeted MDF stairs, so recapping or conversion is the usual route. Older Unionville and Markham Village homes often have solid oak stairs that simply need refinishing. We'll tell you which makes sense at the free visit. See the full process on our main stair refinishing and carpet-to-hardwood stairs pages.
Markham Pricing
| Service | Price | Typical 13-step stair |
|---|---|---|
| Refinish (sand & restain) | $125/step | ~$1,625 |
| Recap (new hardwood treads) | $185/step | ~$2,405 |
| Carpet-to-hardwood conversion | $200/step | ~$2,600 |
| Railing & spindle replacement | custom quote | from ~$1,500 |
Final price depends on stair count, species, railing work, and access. Every quote is free and in-home.
Our Process & Timeline
- Free in-home assessment. We inspect the staircase, count steps, and recommend refinish, recap, or conversion.
- Demo (if needed). Carpet, underpad, tack strips, and staples removed; structure checked.
- Tread & riser install or sanding. New solid treads fitted, or existing wood sanded smooth.
- Custom staining. Colour-matched to your main floors.
- Finishing. Durable polyurethane coats with cure time between each.
A typical 13-step Markham staircase takes 2–3 days for recapping, 3–5 days for a full carpet-to-hardwood conversion, or 1–2 days for refinishing only.
Markham Neighbourhoods We Serve
Unionville
Heritage staircases refinished or recapped to match original wood.
Cornell
New-build carpeted MDF stairs converted to solid oak.
Cachet
Grand estate staircases — premium treads and custom railings.
Cathedraltown
Modern homes wanting wide, clean-line hardwood stairs.
Markham Village
Character homes with stairs worth refinishing.
Berczy Village
Family homes upgrading carpeted stairs to hardwood.
Wismer
Builder-grade stairs recapped to match new floors.
Greensborough
Carpet-to-hardwood conversions in newer subdivisions.
Angus Glen
Luxury staircases with iron pickets and exotic species.
Milliken
Established homes refreshing tired stair treads.
Our Highway 7 showroom is central to Markham, so site visits are quick. Pairing stairs with new floors? See our Markham hardwood refinishing and all flooring in Markham.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does staircase refinishing cost in Markham?
Recapping with new hardwood treads is $185/step, sand & restain refinishing is $125/step, and a full carpet-to-hardwood conversion runs about $200/step. A typical 13-step Markham staircase is roughly $1,625–$2,600 depending on the option. Call (647) 428-1111 for a free in-home quote.
Do you recap carpeted builder stairs in Markham new builds?
Yes — this is one of our most common Markham jobs. Many Cornell, Cathedraltown, Greensborough and Wismer homes were built with carpeted MDF stairs. We remove the carpet, install new solid oak treads and risers over the existing structure, and stain them to match your floors.
How long does stair refinishing take?
A typical 13-step Markham staircase takes 2–3 days for recapping or 3–5 days for a full carpet-to-hardwood conversion. Refinishing only (sanding + staining) takes 1–2 days plus drying time. We give an exact timeline at the free assessment.
Can you match my new stairs to my existing Markham floors?
Yes. We custom-stain treads to match any existing hardwood. If we are installing your main floors and stairs together, we guarantee a perfect colour match across the whole home.
Is recapping cheaper than rebuilding the staircase?
Significantly. Recapping installs new hardwood over the existing staircase structure, so there is no demolition — typically 40–60% less than a full rebuild, and it looks identical to a brand-new staircase.
Which Markham neighbourhoods do you serve?
All of them — Unionville, Cornell, Cachet, Cathedraltown, Markham Village, Berczy Village, Wismer, Greensborough, Angus Glen, Milliken and more. Our Highway 7 showroom is central to Markham, so site visits are quick.
Transform Your Markham Staircase
Free in-home assessment and a written quote. Recapping from $185/step, refinishing from $125/step.