Q: What polyurethane sheen should I use on recently sanded and stained stair treads? High gloss, satin, or semi; what is the best sheen for stairs?
A: That depends which sheen you like. Especially with stain, I am partial to a satin finish. However, I have found generally, that gloss is less slippery than the lower sheens. Just my opinion. I would apply a couple of coats of gloss first. See if you like it and how it feels underfoot. If you want to give a light buffing and apply a third coat of satin, then do that.
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