Fox & Fern Painting Co.
Staircases That Make a Statement.
Your staircase is the first thing guests see and the most-used structure in your home. Fox & Fern transforms tired, squeaking, dated staircases throughout Chester County, Delaware County, and Northern Delaware — from a single tread replacement to a complete railing overhaul and refinish. Built right, finished beautifully.
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Treads & Risers
New hardwood treads, painted risers, and nosing profiles that change the entire look of your stair in days.
Railings & Spindles
Full railing overhauls, newel post replacements, and spindle upgrades — wood, iron, cable, and more.
Refinishing
Sand, stain, and seal existing treads to look brand new — at a fraction of full replacement cost.
Structural Repairs
Squeaks eliminated, stringers reinforced, loose balusters tightened — safe, quiet, and solid underfoot.
What We Do
Stair Services
Hardwood Tread Installation
The single most impactful stair upgrade. Replacing carpet-covered or worn treads with solid hardwood — oak, maple, hickory, or walnut — transforms a staircase from an afterthought into a focal point. We install over existing substrate or remove old treads entirely, ensuring each new tread is glued, screwed, and set flat so there's no flex or squeak from day one. Finished with your choice of stain and a durable polyurethane topcoat.
Riser Replacement & Painting
Risers — the vertical face between treads — are almost always painted white or a contrasting color to complement hardwood treads. We replace damaged or old risers entirely, or prep and refinish existing ones for a clean, sharp look. Painted risers are caulked at every joint, primed with a high-adhesion primer, and finished with a durable trim enamel that holds up to foot traffic and cleaning.
Newel Post Replacement
The newel post is the anchor of your staircase — visually and structurally. A tired, builder-grade box newel or a wobbly turned post undermines the whole stair. We remove and replace newel posts with a profile that suits your home's architecture — craftsman, colonial, transitional, or contemporary — and anchor them properly so they're rock solid. Painted or stained to match your overall scheme.
Baluster & Spindle Upgrades
Balusters — the vertical members between the handrail and tread — do more for the visual character of a staircase than almost any other element. Replacing dated, thin wood spindles with square iron balusters, twisted wrought iron, or sleek cable completely transforms the look. We remove old balusters cleanly, install new ones at proper spacing for code compliance, and finish the handrail to match. Spindle guide below →
Handrail Replacement
A worn, painted, or mismatched handrail is easy to overlook until you change it — and then you can't believe you lived with the old one. We install new handrails in profiled wood — red oak, poplar, pine — routed and sanded for a smooth, comfortable grip. Stained to match your treads or painted to match the trim. Secured with proper wall brackets at correct heights and angles.
Tread Refinishing
Existing hardwood treads with life left in them can be sanded, restained, and resealed to look brand new — at significantly less cost than replacement. We sand with edgers and detail tools that get into corners without destroying the nosing profile, apply stain in multiple coats to achieve an even tone, and finish with 3 coats of oil-modified polyurethane for a durable, beautiful result. Refinishing details below →
Know What You're Working With
The Anatomy of a Staircase
Most homeowners describe their stair problems in general terms — "it looks dated," "it squeaks," "the railing wobbles." Understanding the actual parts of a staircase helps you communicate what you want and understand what we're proposing. Here's a plain-language guide to stair anatomy so you know exactly what we mean when we talk about your project.
Every staircase has the same basic structure — stringers carry the load, treads and risers form the steps, and the railing system (newel posts, balusters, and handrail) provides safety and visual character. We work on all of it, or any individual part.
During your free estimate visit, we walk the staircase with you part by part — pointing out what's contributing to squeaks, what's purely cosmetic, and what the highest-impact changes for your budget would be.
Stringer
The structural side board that runs diagonally and supports the entire staircase. Stringers are usually hidden behind trim but they carry all the load. A compromised stringer is a structural issue — not cosmetic.
Tread
The horizontal surface you walk on. Treads take all the foot traffic and show wear first. The most common and most impactful upgrade we do. Typically 1" thick hardwood with a rounded nosing that overhangs the riser below.
Riser
The vertical face between treads. Usually painted white. Risers with gaps or movement at the tread joint are a primary cause of squeaks — they're fixed by gluing and screwing the joint from above before refinishing.
Nosing
The rounded front edge of the tread that overhangs the riser. Nosing adds visual weight, protects the tread edge from chipping, and matters for code compliance on open-riser stairs. Matching nosing to existing treads takes skill.
Newel Post
The large anchor post at the bottom (and sometimes top and landings) of the stair. The newel sets the visual tone for the entire railing system. It must be anchored solidly into the structure below — a wobbly newel is a safety issue and a common complaint we fix.
Baluster / Spindle
The vertical members that run between the handrail and the tread or base rail. Spacing must be no more than 4" apart for code compliance. Balusters are the easiest visual upgrade — changing from wood to iron transforms the whole stair in a day.
Handrail
The graspable rail that runs the length of the stair, supported by balusters below and wall brackets where it meets the wall. Height and graspability are code requirements. Profile, species, and finish are style choices — and they matter more than most people think.
The Most-Used Surface in Your Home
Treads, Risers & Refinishing
Replace or refinish — how do you know?
Refinishing works beautifully when the existing treads are solid hardwood in decent condition — some wear, minor scratches, faded finish, old stain color you want to change. If the treads are softwood (pine), particleboard, OSB, or badly damaged — cracked, cupped, or with deep gouges — replacement is the better investment. During your estimate, we assess each tread individually and give you an honest recommendation for each one. Some stairs get a mix: replace a few compromised treads and refinish the rest.
Living in the house during the work
Stair work is one of the more disruptive projects because you use your stairs constantly. We plan around this deliberately — working in sections where possible, maintaining one passable route, and scheduling finish coats and dry times so you're never fully locked out. For refinishing, we typically do one side of the stair on alternating days. For full replacements, we coordinate so you're never stranded without stair access overnight.
Why hardwood treads are worth it
Carpet on stairs hides the tread material and collects dirt, allergens, and pet hair that's nearly impossible to clean fully. When you remove carpet, you often find solid oak treads underneath in excellent condition — just needing sanding and refinishing. If the treads aren't salvageable, new solid hardwood treads will outlast you in the house, can be refinished 5+ times, and dramatically increase the perceived quality and value of the home.
Tread Material Options
We source quality tread stock in the species and profile that best suits your staircase and home style.
The Visual Centerpiece
Railings & Balusters
Wrought Iron Balusters
The most popular upgrade we do. Square, twisted, basket, or combination patterns in flat black or oil-rubbed bronze. Iron balusters are slimmer than wood, which opens up the sightline through the stair and makes the space feel larger. They're also harder to break, easier to keep clean, and never need painting. Installed with epoxy into the tread for a permanent, tight connection.
Wood Balusters — Turned & Square
Traditional turned wood balusters suit colonial and craftsman homes perfectly. Square balusters — either flat or with a slight taper — work in transitional and contemporary spaces. We paint or stain to match the overall scheme. Wood balusters can be upgraded in profile without changing the newel or handrail, which makes them a cost-effective way to update the look.
Cable Railing
Horizontal stainless steel cable stretched between posts — the cleanest, most open look available for a staircase. Cable railing is ideal for contemporary and transitional homes, particularly in spaces with a view worth preserving. Requires specific post spacing and tensioning hardware. We design the system and install it to code with clean, concealed fittings.
Glass Panel Infill
Frameless or framed tempered glass panels between posts — maximum light transmission and a genuinely modern look. Glass panels are a premium option that dramatically opens up a space. We work with local glass fabricators and install the framing and hardware ourselves.
Baluster Selection Guide
Matching Style to Home
Colonial / Traditional
Turned wood balusters, painted white. Stained oak handrail. Paneled newel post. Classic and timeless.
Craftsman
Square wood balusters, stained to match treads. Mission-style newel with cap detail. Warm tones throughout.
Transitional
Square iron balusters in flat black. White painted newel. Stained oak handrail and treads. The most versatile combination we install.
Contemporary
Cable or glass infill. Minimal steel or black-painted wood posts. White oak or natural maple treads. Clean lines, no ornamentation.
Not sure which direction suits your home? We bring physical samples of baluster styles and stain colors to your estimate visit so you can see and feel the options in your actual space.
Code Compliance
All railing work we do is installed to IRC and local code standards — handrail height 34"–38" above tread nosing, baluster spacing no greater than 4" clear, graspable handrail profile, and proper newel attachment. We pull permits when required and coordinate inspections. You don't need to worry about this — we handle it.
Color & Finish
Stain & Paint Options
The finish you choose for treads, risers, and railings defines the entire look of the staircase. Here are the most popular combinations we install — and the homes they work best in.
Natural & Warm
Treads in a warm natural or honey oak tone with white painted risers and handrail. The classic combination — warm, clean, and works in almost any home.
Pairs with: iron or turned wood balusters
Dark & Dramatic
Deep espresso or jacobean stained treads against white risers. High-contrast, luxurious, and very popular in transitional and contemporary homes.
Pairs with: flat black iron balusters
All White / Painted
Treads, risers, and railing all painted in a crisp white or off-white. Clean, bright, and cottage-chic. Ideal for homes that want the stair to disappear into the background.
Pairs with: white or natural wood balusters
Gray & Contemporary
Wire-brushed or gray-toned treads — very popular in white oak — with white risers and a contrasting dark handrail or railing. Modern, clean, and distinctive.
Pairs with: cable railing or square iron
Real Project Examples
Common Transformations
These are the most common starting points we encounter — and what we do with them. Your stair may be a variation on one of these, or a combination of several.
Scenario One
Carpet Over Hardwood
Starting point
Wall-to-wall carpet on the stairs, original wood balusters painted the same color as the walls, a shaky box newel. Carpet is 15 years old, shows wear down the center of every tread. Homeowner suspects there's hardwood underneath.
After Fox & Fern
Carpet removed to reveal solid oak treads. Treads sanded, stained in dark walnut, finished with 3 coats poly. Risers painted crisp white. Old balusters replaced with square iron in flat black. Newel reinforced and repainted. Entire stair transformed in 4 days.
Scenario Two
Builder-Grade Makeover
Starting point
Thin painted pine treads, painted risers, standard round turned balusters all in the same paint color, hollow newel that rocks slightly. The stair reads as an afterthought — no visual presence in the foyer.
After Fox & Fern
Pine treads replaced with solid red oak, stained to match existing flooring. Risers painted white. Turned balusters replaced with alternating square and twist iron. New craftsman-style newel post, anchored solid. Handrail stained to match treads. The foyer now has a focal point.
Scenario Three
Existing Hardwood — Just Worn
Starting point
Solid oak treads that were beautiful 20 years ago — now scratched, color faded, finish worn through on the center of every tread. Railing solid, balusters fine, newel tight. Owner doesn't want to replace what's still structurally good.
After Fox & Fern
All treads sanded back to bare wood — carefully, preserving the nosing profile. Restained in a fresh color the owner chose from samples. Three coats of oil-modified poly. Risers repainted. Handrail lightly sanded and refinished to match. Result: like-new stair for a fraction of replacement.
Scenario Four
Full Structural & Cosmetic
Starting point
Badly squeaking stair — multiple treads, especially at the riser joints. One stringer pulling away from the wall. Newel post wobbles 2 inches. Everything painted the same color, heavily chipped. The whole stair feels unsafe and looks neglected.
After Fox & Fern
Stringer re-secured to wall framing. All tread-to-riser joints glued, screwed, and blocked from below — zero squeaks. Newel anchored through subfloor. New oak treads installed, stained and finished. White risers, iron balusters, new handrail. Went from the worst stair on the block to the best.
How It Works
Our Process
Step One
Free Assessment
We walk the stair with you — every tread, every baluster, every joint. We identify structural issues, assess existing materials, and discuss what changes would have the most impact for your budget.
Step Two
Material Selection
We bring samples — tread species, baluster profiles, stain colors — so you can make decisions in your actual space with your actual lighting. No guessing from a catalog.
Step Three
Clear Quote
An itemized estimate for every part of the project. Structural repairs, tread material, baluster and railing work, and finishing are all priced separately so you can make informed decisions about scope.
Step Four
Structural First
Squeaks eliminated, stringers secured, newel anchored — all before any finish work begins. We fix the stair, then we finish it. Cosmetic work on a compromised structure doesn't last.
Step Five
Final Walkthrough
We walk every tread, test every baluster, and inspect every finish surface together. Nothing is done until it's right — and quiet.
Why Fox & Fern
What Sets Us Apart
Structural Before Cosmetic — Always
A beautiful finish on a squeaky, shaky stair lasts a season. We address every structural issue first — glued and blocked tread-to-riser joints, secured stringers, anchored newels — before any finish material goes on. The result is a stair that's silent, solid, and gorgeous.
Painters Who Build Stairs
Because we also paint and stain the work we build, we prep to a standard that holds up under finish. Every nail hole, every caulk joint, every raw end grain is handled before coatings go on. The finish quality reflects the prep quality — and we do both.
Honest Scope — Replace Only What Needs It
We don't recommend full replacement if selective repairs and refinishing will achieve the result. If your oak treads are refinishable, we'll tell you. If three boards need replacing and the rest are fine, we price it that way. Your money goes where it actually matters.
Lived-In Home Friendly
We plan stair work around your life — staging sections, maintaining access, scheduling dry times so you're never stranded in your own home. Stair projects don't have to mean moving out for a week.
Flexible Payment Options
A full stair transformation — structural repairs, new treads, iron balusters, refinished handrail — is one of the highest-impact improvements you can make to a home's first impression. Through our financing partnership, qualified homeowners can start today with zero down and zero interest.
Learn About Financing →Ready to transform your staircase?
Free estimate, no obligation. We bring samples to your home. Response within 24 hours.