Staircases and doors in larger Over homes
Bigger houses mean more doors and longer stairs, and the stairs have to stay usable while finishes dry. We agree a route up and down with you, sand treads and spindles evenly so stain takes without blotching, and put a clear protective coat over treads and handrails.
Out in Fordham, Mrs M Turner had her staircase and doors stained by Valter and Denes, and it was the staining she mentioned first when she wrote to thank them. Our reviews page has her comments in full.
Period woodwork and painted finishes
Over's older housing is mostly Victorian, and it's in those houses that deep skirtings, panelled doors and picture rails tend to turn up. We fill dents, sand out old drips and fill gaps along skirtings so the paint line is crisp, then finish in gloss, satin or eggshell.
Any bare pine in an Over house gets a coat of Zinsser primer before the undercoat, which stops resin from the knots staining the finish. Exposed beams and timber worktops can be oiled with Osmo.
Over at a glance
- 9 milesby road from our Landbeach base, about 18 minutesOSRM routing
- 11%of properties were built before 1919VOA Council Tax stock
- 4%date from 1919 to 1939VOA Council Tax stock
- 95%are houses rather than flatsCensus 2021
- 37listed buildingsHistoric England
- 84%of homes are owner-occupiedCensus 2021
How we approach woodwork staining & varnishing
Natural timber is sanded evenly so no old varnish or filler shows as a pale patch, then we test the stain on a hidden spot, such as the underside of a tread, for you to approve. Panelled doors are done panels first, then rails and stiles. Painted woodwork is cleaned, keyed, filled and lightly sanded between coats. The full method, products and FAQs are on our woodwork staining & varnishing page.