A staircase handrail fulfils a simple purpose: to provide safety and stability while walking up the stairs. However, a wooden handrail can also be an eye-catching feature. It’s often one of the first things people notice when they enter your home. Therefore, you need to understand how to finish a wooden handrail correctly so that it looks stunning in your home for years to come. So, what’s the best way to finish a wooden handrail?
There are multiple ways to finish a wooden handrail, including staining, painting, varnishing, oiling and waxing. If you want to let the natural wooden colour shine then waxing, oiling or varnishing will be the best option. If you prefer your handrail to match other staircase elements, you can stain it or paint it instead.
In the rest of this blog, we will cover everything you need to know about all the different options for finishing wooden handrails and how to choose the best finish for your staircase.
Click on one of the links below to jump to that section:
• Finishing a wooden handrail
Learn all the different ways to finish a wooden handrail.
• How to stain a wooden handrail
Understand the correct way to stain a wooden handrail to match the floor or stair treads.
• How to paint a wooden handrail
Learn the process of painting a wooden handrail to match your home’s design scheme.
• How to oil a wooden handrail
Find out the best way to oil a wooden handrail for a durable finish.
• How to varnish a wooden handrail
Read about how to varnish your wooden handrail the right way.
• How to wax a wooden handrail
Understand how to wax your wooden handrail to protect it.
• Should you stain, paint, varnish, oil or wax your wooden handrail?
Learn how to choose the best finishing option for your home.
• Wooden handrail finishing FAQs
Get the answers to the most commonly asked questions about finishing wooden handrails.
Finishing a wooden handrail
Most wooden handrails are supplied unfinished, which gives you the perfect opportunity to pick the perfect stain or varnish to bring out the natural beauty of the wood and prevent the wood from drying out. Alternatively, you can paint your handrail a vibrant colour to show off your personal style.
You could leave your wooden handrail unfinished, but applying oil, wax and/or varnish will add a layer of protection from the natural oils on people’s hands, which could discolour the wood.
Keep reading to learn more about the different methods for finishing your wooden handrail.
How to stain a wooden handrail
If you want to match the look of your wooden handrail to your existing spindles, newel posts, stair treads and risers then you’ll need to apply a stain before treating the wood. You’ll need to apply a coat of sanding sealer to softwood handrails, such as pine, before applying a stain as softwood doesn’t stain very evenly.
It can be tricky to colour-match wood so use a tester pot to apply a small amount to the underside of the handrail and allow it to dry so you can get an accurate impression of the colour.
Once you’re happy with the colour, you can apply the stain to the rest of the handrail and allow it to dry before sealing the wood with varnish. Staining wood simply changes the colour of the wood and doesn’t provide any protection, so you’ll need to finish the wood with wax, varnish or oil.
How to paint a wooden handrail
If you would prefer your wooden handrail to stand out, painting it might be the best choice. You can use a contrasting colour or create a monochromatic look. White or black are the most popular paint colours for handrails.
Before painting a wooden handrail, it is important to first prepare it to be painted. This involves sanding, filling (if required) and priming the handrail. If you’ve ordered one of our white primed handrails, you can skip ahead to painting as these handrails have already been professionally primed.
We recommend painting your wooden handrail with semi-gloss paint – a semi-gloss finish tends to be more hard-wearing than other paints. Here’s the method you’ll need to follow:
1. Paint your handrail with a clean 2-inch trim paintbrush.
2. Allow the paint to dry to the touch.
3. Apply a second coat.
4. Remove the painter’s tape from the balusters and the wall before the second coat dries completely to avoid pulling the paint from the handrail after it dries.
For a more in-depth explanation, read our blog, ‘How to paint a wooden handrail’.
How to oil a wooden handrail
At Jackson’s, we recommend applying Treatex Hardwax Oil to wooden handrails which is quick-drying and hardwearing. Hard wax oils contain a blend of oils and waxes designed to protect wood including linseed oil, sunflower oil and beeswax. Applying hard wax oil makes wooden handrails stain-resistant and gives a lovely smooth finish to the surface.
If you prefer a more traditional approach to treating wood, you could apply two or three coats of linseed or teak oil and then apply a layer of wax. Danish oil is a mixture of oil and varnish so is more hard-wearing than regular oil but not as hard-wearing as hard wax oil.
How to varnish a wooden handrail
Varnish contains resin, drying oil and a thinner to create a clear finish on wood. You can apply it after oiling the handrail and once it’s dried, varnish will protect against spills. The downside of varnish is that it can dull over time and it can be tricky to apply, with air bubbles being a common issue.
How to wax a wooden handrail
Finishing waxes give wooden handrails an ultra-smooth surface and add an extra layer of protection to the wood. Wax can be easily reapplied as and when needed, without having to strip the handrail. You may want to apply a coat of wax to your handrail after oiling it to give it a shine.
Shop our full range of finishings here.
Should you stain, paint, varnish, oil or wax your wooden handrail?
With so many options for finishing your wooden handrail, it can be difficult to make the right decision. It all depends on whether you want to change the colour of your handrail or simply protect the wood.
Painting your handrail is the easiest way to change the colour of your wooden handrail completely. For example, you may want to paint your handrail a vibrant colour or perhaps a more neutral shade to ensure your wooden stairs match your home interior. You may also be renovating your entire staircase and may want your handrails to match your new spindles. White and black are common colour options for painting handrails, and can provide a classic, timeless aesthetic. Painting is an inexpensive and simple way to completely transform your handrail.
If you’re trying to match the colour of your new wooden handrail to your floor or stair treads, staining is the best finish to achieve this. Stains are more durable than paint and tend to last longer. However, a stain won’t protect the wood, so you’ll need to also seal it with varnish, wax or oil.
If you don’t want to change the colour of your handrail but want to provide protection and an attractive finish - applying oil, wax and/or varnish will add a layer of protection from the natural oils on people’s hands, which could discolour the wood.
If you are choosing an oil finish ensure you choose something that’s formulated for use on natural wood, as this will contain all the necessary preservatives. For example – a thin coat of our Treatex Natural Hardwax Oil Ultra can be applied to unfinished timber, before sealing with Clear Treatex Hardwax Oil. It is important that only a thin coat of Treatex Hardwax Natural Oil is applied to the wood.
Are you finishing an oak handrail? Read our full guide to cleaning and treating oak handrails here.
Wooden handrails and finishes by Jackson Woodturners
Jackson Woodturners provides the largest selection of contemporary and traditional stair parts in the UK. We offer a comprehensive selection of high-quality handrails, including ungrooved handrails, mopstick handrails and pigs ear handrails, as well as a selection of handrail brackets, end caps, fittings and wall-mounted handrail kits. You can view our full range of handrails on our website.
We also offer a wide range of finishes to complete the look of your handrail, including wood filler and hardwax oil.
If you need assistance with choosing the right handrail for your home or are unsure which finish would be the best option, please get in touch with our team. We’ll be happy to make some recommendations or answer any questions you may have. You can call our staircase experts on 0114 272 1228 or email [email protected]
Wooden handrail finishing FAQs
Should you use a varnish finish?
Varnishing is a popular option for finishing a wooden handrail, and you can choose either a clear varnish or something that has a colour tint if you prefer. These finishes protect the wood from moisture, dirt and oil but they can be less hard-wearing, however, they may look less natural as they form a hard coating on top of the wood.
Can you paint a handrail white?
It is possible to paint a handrail white, but sanding and preparing the wood is an essential part of this process. You will need to take extra care to make sure this is done to a high standard, to ensure that no colour comes through in the finished result.
If you’re planning on painting your wooden handrail white (or another colour), we recommend purchasing one of our white primed handrails. These have already been professionally primed with a high-quality primer and are ready to receive a top coat of paint.
What is wood filler?
Wood filler is ideal for filling small imperfections in wood. For example – it can cover holes, dents, chips and deep grains in wood, disguising them and smoothing the surface. You can use wood filler on painted stairs to make them more aesthetically appealing and comfortable to walk on.
At Jackson Woodturners, we stock a wide range of wood fillers, including filler designed for oak, pine, mahogany and white wood. Shop our full range here.
Can you paint over stained wood without sanding?
While it is possible to paint over stained wood without sanding, the stain may bleed through and cause streaking. For this reason, we would always recommend that you sand the stained wood first to achieve the best finish.
How do you refinish a wooden handrail?
To refinish a wood handrail, you will need to strip the wood before preparing and priming it. Then you can stain and finish the wood to your own aesthetic tastes.
How to finish the end of a handrail?
Although you could simply leave the cut end of a handrail, this can be dangerous for visually impaired people so it is best avoided. Instead, you can add an endcap to your handrail to create a decorative finish. At Jackson Woodturners, we offer a wide range of endcaps suitable for different interior design styles, including chrome, nickel, metal and brass. Another option is a wooden end scroll, which is a great option for more traditional homes. For an even grander option, a volute is guaranteed to add elegance and class to your staircase.
Are wooden handrails easy to maintain?
Wooden handrails are a fairly durable material option, although they do require occasional care and maintenance. Some types of wood are more durable than others. Oak, for example, is one of the most durable options of wood. You can find out more about cleaning and treating an oak handrail here.
Hardwood is also typically a very durable choice for wooden handrails. Hemlock; although a softwood, will take a stain easily with the minimum of colour distortion and does not split or break when being worked with. Being less brittle makes it stronger than many hardwoods and it is a reliable timber if you wish to paint the handrail.
Are you looking for the ideal wooden handrail for your staircase? Shop our full selection of wooden handrails here.
How do I clean a wooden handrail?
Although handrails are fairly easy to clean, you should bear in mind what finish has been used first. For example, you can clean waxed oak with warm, soapy water and a microfibre cloth, but you shouldn’t scrub wax finishes as they can wear away over time. If your handrail has a wax finish, then you could apply another coat of wax after cleaning it to give it a lovely shine.
You can clean varnished wood with wood cleaners or a mixture of oil and vinegar (one cup of good-quality oil mixed with a tablespoon of white vinegar; this can kill bacteria while keeping the wood healthy).
If your handrail has an oil finish, you can clean your oak handrail with either oil-based soaps or a mixture of oil and vinegar, as described above. With any cleaning method; you should be careful not to be harsh or too rough when cleaning the wood.
For more in-depth information, check out our blog, ’How to Clean Wooden Handrails’.
