Changing out carpeted steps for wood treads is a great way to add value to your home. It can also upgrade the look of your boring staircase, such as the one leading to a basement. However, hiring a ...

Q: I read (and kept) your April 9 column "Restore wooden steps to preserve beauty." I, too, own a Victorian house, in Oakland, with wooden stairs that need to be restored. Your article was very ...

It typically takes just a few years before interior wooden staircases start to show signs of wear and tear. Trouble often starts on the horizontal treads, where constant foot traffic wears off the ...

Q. A few years ago, I removed the carpeting from two flights of stairs and replaced it with maple hardwood. They look beautiful, but they’re very slippery. A few months ago, I fell down the stairs and ...

Q: My puppy chewed through the wood on a stair tread. My husband put in some wood filler as a temporary fix, but it’s white and looks awful. Then the puppy chewed the wood filler, so some of it is now ...