Communal Stairwell Painting & Decorating
Stairwells take more punishment than any other communal space in a block — bag scuffs on the walls, knocks to the skirting and frames, oxidised handrails, dusty cobwebs in the corners of the half-landings. They are also the part of the building residents see every single day, so they tell the story of how well the block is being looked after.
We redecorate stairwells properly: full prep on the walls, frames and metalwork, the right primers where coatings have failed, and trade-grade finishes that stand up to traffic. Access is planned around the residents — narrow Zarges ladders, low-pro towers and split-floor working so the stairs stay usable.
What's covered
- Walls — full height including upper flight returns and stairwell voids
- Ceilings and soffits over the flights
- Handrails, spindles, balusters and newel posts (timber or metal)
- Skirting, architraves, door frames and fire-door surrounds
- Communal flat entry doors (front face, frames and ironmongery)
- Stain blocking over water marks, nicotine and historic damp
- Touching in and making good after trades have been through
How we run a stairwell
- Resident notices posted 5–7 days ahead with phased schedule
- Half a flight worked at a time so stairs stay accessible
- Dust sheets, corex on treads and clean-down at the end of every day
- Low-odour, fast-recoat trade emulsions where smell matters
- Spindles cut in by hand — never sprayed in an occupied stairwell
- RAMS supplied to the managing agent before mobilisation
Suitable finishes
Stairwells need scrubbable, knock-resistant finishes. We default to a high-opacity matt or mid-sheen trade emulsion on walls (Dulux Trade Diamond, Tikkurila Optiva or equivalent), water-based satin or eggshell on woodwork, and a direct-to-metal or zinc-primed system on tired handrails and balustrades. Where the existing scheme is failing, we strip back, isolate the substrate and rebuild — there's no point putting new paint on top of a flaking system.
Frequently asked
Can residents still use the stairs while you're working?+
Yes. We work half a flight at a time, keep the other side clear and dust-sheeted, and the stairs stay open. On taller blocks we phase floor-by-floor and post a notice on each landing.
Do you need scaffolding?+
Most stairwells are reached with low-pro alloy towers and split ladders rated for stair voids. Only on very tall atriums or central voids do we bring in a proper stair-tower or birdcage scaffold.
How do you deal with handrails and metalwork?+
Sand back, isolate any rust with a zinc-rich or rust-converting primer, then two coats of a durable water-based satin or a direct-to-metal enamel depending on substrate and use.
Can you work outside resident hours?+
Yes — evenings and weekends are common on stairwells with elderly residents or shift workers. We agree the window in writing with the managing agent first.
Block management decorating near you.
Let's discuss your project
Whether it's a single room or a full home redecoration, we'd be glad to discuss your plans and provide a detailed, no-obligation quotation.
We are best suited to well-planned decorating projects — full rooms, multi-room redecorations, exteriors, spray finishes, panelling and commercial works.