Painting a stairwell: what to look out for

What makes a stairwell different

A stairwell is one of the busiest spaces in a building. Bikes, shopping and removal boxes are carried along the walls, hands run over the banister and coats brush against the corners. Ordinary wall paint soon wears out there. On top of that it is an awkward place to work: high walls above a flight of stairs, narrow landings and little room to put materials down.

In many Amsterdam buildings the stairwell is narrow and steep, with walls that run up over several floors. A stable stair scaffold or an adapted ladder set-up is needed there to work safely and neatly.

The right paint for a stairwell

• Walls: a scrub-resistant wall paint that can stand up to regular cleaning.
• Handrails and balusters: a hard gloss that withstands being gripped every day.
• Treads: for painted treads, a hard-wearing floor paint, if needed with a non-slip finish.
• Doors and frames: gloss in the same sheen level as the rest of the woodwork.

Water-based products are preferred, because they give off little odour in a space residents walk through every day. They also dry quickly, so the stairwell is back in normal use sooner.

Choosing colours and consulting residents

For a stairwell renovation in Amsterdam, Oranje Kwast chose a timeless combination of green and white together with the residents. In a shared stairwell that consultation is no luxury: everyone walks through it every day, and a colour one person loves may put another off. A few colour samples on the wall in daylight help you choose together. A slightly darker shade at the bottom of the wall keeps dirt and scuffs less visible, while a light colour higher up makes the stairwell feel more spacious and brighter.

If the stairwell falls under an owners' association, it usually decides on colour, budget and timing. Read on painting for an owners' association how to go about it.

Scheduling without disruption

A stairwell cannot simply be closed for a few days. The work is therefore done in sections, with a clear walkway and wet paint clearly marked. Floors and treads are carefully covered, and at the end of each working day the stairs are safe to use again. You can read more about the approach under interior painting. If it concerns business premises with a shared entrance, take a look at commercial painting.