BeforeAfterCarpet to hardwood
Carpet and builder treads out; solid oak treads and crisp white risers in.
Custom stairs & railings · Fairfax, Virginia
From worn carpet to solid hardwood.
Paul Giordano replaces carpeted steps with solid hardwood treads, puts in new handrails and wood or iron balusters, and builds custom staircases. He quotes the job, does the work himself and cleans up after. 30+ years across Northern Virginia and nearby Maryland.
- Owner on every job
- No subcontractors
- Free estimates
Read Paul's reviews on Yelp and HomeAdvisor.
Try it on the 3D stair
Wood
Balusters
Red oak · Janka 1,290
Before: carpet and builder spindles
- 30+ yrsbuilding and rebuilding stairs
- 1 profrom estimate to cleanup
- 8 woodsfrom red oak to Brazilian cherry
- 7 stylesin wood, iron or both
- Freeestimates, with no pressure
- All NoVAplus nearby MD
Before & after
Same stairs. Different house.
Most of Paul's work starts with a staircase you already have. Drag across the photo to see what new balusters and a restained rail do to a room.
Wood spindles to iron
The white wood spindles came out and black iron balusters went in. The handrail and newel posts were restained to match. Same staircase, photographed from the same spot.
Railing & baluster replacement
Ask about an iron upgradeBeforeAfter
BeforeAfterA loft railing
A loft with bare newel posts becomes a full run of iron balusters.
BeforeAfterStair and overlook
New treads, then iron balusters up the stair and across the overlook.
BeforeAfterEnclosed to open
Before: an enclosed stairwell with a wall rail. After: oak treads, with white balusters and box newels on both sides.
BeforeAfterCurved foyer
Builder spindles swapped for scroll iron on a curved foyer stair.
Your stairs could be next.
Send Paul a couple of photos of your staircase and tell him what you have in mind.
What Paul does
One craftsman for the whole job.
From tearing out the carpet to the last coat of finish, Paul handles every part of the work himself. No subcontractors, no temporary crews, no handoffs.
Signature service
Carpet to hardwood
Pull up the carpet, lose the dust and step onto solid hardwood. Paul removes the carpet and old treads, installs new solid treads and risers, then stains and finishes them to match your floors or to set them off.
- Carpet, pad and tack strips removed
- Solid hardwood treads in any species
- Painted or stained risers
- Stain, finish and a thorough cleanup
Railings & balusters
Swap dated spindles for wrought iron, or put in a new handrail and newels without rebuilding the stair.
Ask about railings
Custom & curved staircases
New construction or a full rebuild: straight, open or curved, built with traditional techniques.
Ask about a new staircase
Balconies & lofts
Overlooks, landings and catwalks, finished to match the stair below.
Ask about a balcony rail
Wrought iron & scrollwork
From plain bars to scroll panels and accent collars, in the finish you choose.
Ask about iron work
Commercial work
Restaurants, hotels, churches and offices, from small handrails to complete staircases. The gallery includes a multi-level restaurant finished in oak and scroll iron, and a church altar railing.
Ask about a commercial projectRepairs and remodels too. No job too big or too small, from one loose railing to a new custom home.
Owner on every job
The person who quotes your stairs is the person who builds them.
Paul Giordano has been building, remodeling and repairing staircases for more than 30 years, with much of that time spent on wrought iron. He runs Precision Interior Rails on a simple idea: there is no middleman. You call Paul, Paul comes out to measure, and Paul is the one in your home doing the work, from the first phone call to the final walkthrough.
- 01No subcontractors and no temporary labor.
- 02The experienced contractor is on site, every day.
- 03Skip the lead services: your request goes straight to Paul.
“Interior railings and staircases are a focal point of any entryway. When done properly, they create an illusion of movement.”
Precision Interior Rails
Don't take our word for it.
Paul's customers leave their reviews on Yelp and HomeAdvisor. Read them there, in their own words.
Why we link instead of quotingChoose your wood
Eight hardwoods. One that fits your home.
Every tread Paul installs is solid wood, from classic red oak to exotic Brazilian cherry. Hover or tap a board to compare its color, grain and hardness.
Red oak
Hardness · Janka ≈ 1,290 lbf
- Look
- Warm tan with pink undertones and a bold, open grain.
- Best for
- All-around value, and matching the oak floors in many Northern Virginia homes.
- Good to know
- Takes stain evenly, from natural to dark.
Hard maple
Hardness · Janka ≈ 1,450 lbf
- Look
- Creamy and pale, with a fine, tight grain.
- Best for
- Light, modern rooms and busy family stairs.
- Good to know
- Dark stains need careful prep to avoid blotching.
American cherry
Hardness · Janka ≈ 950 lbf
- Look
- Smooth, fine grain that deepens to a rich red-brown.
- Best for
- Elegant, traditional interiors.
- Good to know
- Darkens with light over time, and dents more easily than oak.
Hickory / White oak
Hardness · Janka ≈ 1,820 / 1,360 lbf
- Look
- Hickory: bold light-and-dark contrast. White oak: golden-olive with a tight, straight grain.
- Best for
- Hickory for rustic and country looks; white oak for modern natural or gray-washed finishes.
- Good to know
- White oak stands up well to moisture.
Poplar
Hardness · Janka ≈ 540 lbf
- Look
- Smooth and even, with soft green and gray streaks.
- Best for
- Paint-grade parts: risers, skirt boards, newels and balusters.
- Good to know
- Usually painted rather than stained.
Beech / Soft maple
Hardness · Janka ≈ 1,300 / 950 lbf
- Look
- Pale woods with a fine, even grain.
- Best for
- Budget-friendly treads, and parts that will be painted or stained.
- Good to know
- Both take paint and stain well.
Brazilian cherry
Hardness · Janka ≈ 2,350 lbf
- Look
- Deep orange-red that matures toward burgundy.
- Best for
- Statement staircases that see heavy traffic.
- Good to know
- An exotic hardwood; it darkens noticeably in sunlight.
Walnut / Mahogany
Hardness · Janka ≈ 1,010 / 850 lbf
- Look
- Walnut: rich chocolate brown. Mahogany: reddish-brown with a straight, shimmering grain.
- Best for
- Luxury interiors and classic handrails.
- Good to know
- Premium choices for treads, rails and newels.
05001,0001,5002,0002,500
Not sure which wood is right? Ask Paul at your free estimate.
Compare every wood and styleRailing styles
Seven styles, side by side.
Every style comes in wood, iron or a mix of both. Here are their profiles at the same height, so you can compare the turnings.
Iron balusters
Plain, knuckle, basket, twist and scroll designs, under any wood rail.
Classic
Timeless turned balusters and newels that suit almost any home.
Contemporary
Clean square profiles with almost no ornament.
Country
Sturdier, simpler turnings with farmhouse warmth.
Hampton
Crisp square blocks and a clean taper, between traditional and modern.
Sheraton
Slender, refined turnings in the spirit of Federal-era furniture.
Traditional / Colonial
Slim tapered turnings with an elegant, elongated look.
The signature job
Carpet to hardwood, step by step.
Here is how a carpet-to-hardwood conversion goes, start to finish. Pick a step to see it on the drawing.
- Hardwood lasts for decades
- No carpet to trap dust and pet hair
- Easy to keep clean
- A first impression that matches your floors
Recent work
Real stairs, real homes.
A few favorites from Paul's projects around Northern Virginia, from curved foyers to iron upgrades. The gallery has more than 120 photos.
Curved stairs, iron balusters, hardwood treads, balconies and commercial work.
See the full galleryFrom first call to final walkthrough
Simple from the first call.
- 01
Call or send the form
Call 703-850-1981 or tell Paul about your stairs online. A few photos help.
- 02
Free in-home estimate
Paul comes out, measures, and talks through woods, stains and styles.
- 03
A clear quote
You get a straightforward price, with no pressure to decide on the spot.
- 04
Pick your materials
Choose the wood, the stain and the baluster style.
- 05
Paul does the work
Tear-out, carpentry, iron, stain and finish, all by Paul.
- 06
Cleanup and walkthrough
Your home is left clean, with a staircase you'll want to show off.
Service area
Based in Fairfax. Serving all of Northern Virginia and nearby Maryland.
Precision Interior Rails works throughout Northern Virginia and surrounding areas, including Maryland. Not sure you're in range? Call and ask.
- Fairfax County
- Arlington
- Alexandria
- Loudoun
- Prince William
- Falls Church
- Manassas
- Fairfax
- Vienna
- McLean
- Great Falls
- Reston
- Herndon
- Chantilly
- Centreville
- Clifton
- Fairfax Station
- Burke
- Springfield
- Annandale
- Alexandria
- Arlington
- Falls Church
- Oakton
- Manassas
- Gainesville
- Haymarket
- Bristow
- Woodbridge
- Lorton
- Lake Ridge
- Ashburn
- Leesburg
- Sterling
- South Riding
Questions
Questions homeowners ask.
Don't see yours? Call Paul at 703-850-1981 or ask in the form below.
Are estimates really free?
Yes. Call or send the form, and Paul will come out, measure your stairs and give you a free quote. There is no obligation.
Who will actually be working in my home?
Paul Giordano, the owner. Precision Interior Rails does not use subcontractors or temporary labor, so the person who quotes your job is the person who does the work.
Can you replace carpeted stairs with hardwood?
Yes. The carpet and old treads come out, new solid hardwood treads and risers go in, and everything is stained, finished and cleaned up.
Which woods can I choose from?
Red oak, hard maple, American cherry, hickory, white oak, poplar, beech, soft maple, Brazilian cherry, walnut and mahogany. Paul can talk you through how each one looks, wears and takes stain.
Can you match my hardwood floors?
Tell Paul what flooring you have. At the estimate he will talk through the species and stain options that match your floors or set the stairs off on purpose.
Can you change just the balusters, or just the treads?
Yes. Swapping wood spindles for iron balusters without touching the treads is a common job, and a carpet-to-hardwood conversion can keep a railing you like.
Do you build curved staircases and curved handrails?
Yes. Paul builds custom staircases and installs straight or curved handrails in any wood, with wood or iron balusters.
Do you take on commercial projects?
Yes, from small handrails to complete staircases for restaurants, hotels, churches and other commercial spaces.
Do you work on new construction?
Yes. Precision Interior Rails works on remodels and on new custom homes.
What areas do you serve?
Paul is based in Fairfax and works throughout Northern Virginia and in surrounding areas, including Maryland. If you are not sure you are in range, call and ask.
How much does a stair project cost?
Every staircase is different. The number of steps, the wood, the railing and any landings all change the price, which is why the estimate is free. A few photos sent with the form help Paul give you a useful answer quickly.
How do I get started?
Call 703-850-1981 or send the estimate form below with a few photos of your stairs. Paul reads every request himself.
Free estimate
Tell Paul about your stairs.
Send a few details and a photo or two. Paul reads every request himself and gets back to you to set up a visit. Prefer to talk?
Call Paul directly703-850-1981Or email precisioninteriorrails@gmail.com
- 01Paul reviews your request and photos.
- 02He calls, texts or emails you, whichever you prefer, to set a time.
- 03He visits, measures and gives you a free estimate.
Your information goes straight to Paul. It is never sold or shared, the way paid lead services do.
Request sent
Thanks. Paul has your request.
He reviews every request himself and will reach out the way you asked. If it's urgent, call 703-850-1981.
Area served
Fairfax, Virginia and beyond.
Precision Interior Rails is based in Fairfax and serves all of Northern Virginia and surrounding areas, including Maryland. There is no showroom to visit: Paul comes to you.
Get a free estimate