Stair makeover and railing questions

FAQ

Stair makeover and railing questions

How long does a stair makeover take?

A typical carpet-to-hardwood makeover on a sound stringer finishes in a few days after the free on-site written estimate — not a full tear-out rebuild. Rise count, whether the rail is in the same visit, and finish dry time set the calendar. We tell you that schedule at the house before a tread is cut.

Can you match new stair treads to my existing hardwood floors?

Yes. That is the point of an interior hardwood shop. Stain samples go on the actual treads and the adjoining floor so you see the tone in your light before we commit the run. Skirt boards and transitions are cut so the hall reads as one surface, not two trades.

What is the difference between a makeover, a remodel, and a new install?

A makeover keeps a working stringer and replaces what you walk on — carpet or worn treads become solid wood treads and risers. A remodel goes further: rails, newels, balusters, and skirt boards rebuilt as one interior. A new custom install is for an addition, new construction, or a layout that is past saving. We write which quote it is after we see the stair.

How do you keep dust out of a lived-in house?

Stairs sit in the middle of the home. We run advanced, virtually dustless containment and high-efficiency extraction while we pull carpet, fit treads, and finish rails so dust stays out of air, ductwork, and furniture. The house stays livable.

Should I choose wood balusters or matte black metal balusters?

Wood balusters match existing millwork and read quieter with oak casing. Matte black metal balusters with a wood handrail and wood newels are the mixed look many newer two-story homes ask for. Both are interior carpentry — metal as infill, wood as the structure you hold. We sample both against your treads and floor on the estimate.

Do you build metal-only stairs?

No. Rocket City Stairs is an interior hardwood specialist. We install matte black metal balusters only as part of a wood handrail and newel system on an interior hardwood stair. We do not fabricate outdoor steel, deck rails, welded commercial stairs, or metal-only stair packages.

Do you do open-riser stairs or only closed risers?

Most North Alabama houses we quote have closed risers — a solid board between treads — because that is what the builder left and what matches adjoining hardwood. Open risers (no board between treads) show up on some custom installs and additions. We quote the opening you have, or the opening an addition needs, after we measure on site.

How does a carpet-to-hardwood stair conversion work?

We pull the carpet and padding, inspect the framing, and keep a sound stringer. Solid wood treads and risers — usually oak — go on, skirt boards get recut to the wall, and transitions at the top and bottom are stained to the adjoining floor. The rail can stay or be replaced in the same visit. See the makeovers page for the numbered steps.

Which cities do you serve?

Huntsville, Madison, Harvest (35758), Toney, Meridianville, Decatur, Hartselle, Cullman, Athens, Moulton, Gurley, and Owens Cross Roads — plus Huntsville neighborhoods such as Hampton Cove and Monte Sano. We are a service-area shop with no public street address. Josh Templet comes to the house.

Is the on-site estimate really free?

Yes. We count the rises, check the stringers, look at the floor at the top and bottom, and write a free estimate before any tread is cut. Call (256) 665-2161 or send the form on the contact page. There is no showroom visit required.

Do you publish stair makeover prices online?

No. Every stair is different — rise count, open or closed sides, species, framing under the carpet, rail scope, and finish match all change the job. We measure on site and give a free written estimate. Call (256) 665-2161.

Can you replace only the railing if my treads are already hardwood?

Yes. Rail-only is a common quote when the walking surface already matches the floor and the leftover builder guard does not. If the treads also need to change, we write that as one job so you are not coordinating two trades.

What if one side of the stair is open to the foyer?

An open side needs a full guard — newels, a continuous handrail, and balusters — not just a wall rail. A closed side against a wall may only need a handrail. We measure both sides at the house. That scope is one of the things that changes a makeover quote, which is why we do not publish a price list.

Who owns Rocket City Stairs, and are you licensed?

Josh Templet owns Rocket City Stairs, the interior stair shop of Alabama Hardwood Restoration. The company is licensed and fully insured. You work with the owner, not a call center. Floors live at huntsvillehardwoodfloors.com; stairs live here.

Can I buy stair parts without installation?

Yes. Treads, wood handrails, newel posts, balusters, risers, skirts, and rail hardware are available with or without installation. Most homeowners want the install included so the cap, the nosing, and the floor are one crew. Call (256) 665-2161.

Do you work on outdoor or deck stairs?

No. Outdoor steel, decks, and commercial metal fabrication are a different trade. We quote interior hardwood stairs and interior railings only — wood handrails, newels, and wood or matte black metal balusters on the stair you already walk inside the house.