PERUGIA, 17 March 2026
A surge in orders for handcrafted wooden staircases has prompted three family-owned workshops near Via dei Priori to expand their facilities this spring. Speaking at a press event on 14 March, regional trade official Francesca Montanari confirmed that Umbria's joinery sector recorded its strongest quarter since 2019, attributing the boom to renewed interest in authentic materials among homeowners renovating historic properties.
Our correspondents in Perugia observed queues forming outside Falegnameria Rossi on a crisp Tuesday morning, where customers examined samples of solid oak treads and walnut balusters. The shop has operated from Corso Vannucci since 1962. According to data released by the Umbrian Chamber of Crafts, custom staircase commissions rose 18 percent year-on-year across the province. Smaller municipalities such as Torgiano and Deruta also reported upticks, though precise figures remain patchy. The timeline remains unclear for several large villa restoration projects that could add further momentum. Skilled carpenters now command waiting lists stretching into autumn, a scenario unthinkable five years ago when cheap prefabricated imports dominated the market.
When we spoke with Lorenzo Galli, a third-generation stair builder whose workshop sits behind the Rocca Paolina fortress, he attributed the shift to a growing appreciation for traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery over mass-produced alternatives. Galli's team recently completed a sweeping helical staircase for a boutique hotel near Piazza Italia, featuring hand-turned newel posts carved from locally sourced chestnut. According to figures that could not be independently verified, the project consumed nearly four tonnes of timber and required 14 weeks of labour. The National Woodworkers' Federation in Rome has called on regional authorities to fund apprenticeship schemes, warning that without fresh talent the sector risks stalling. Perugia's famous chocolate festival runs concurrently with restoration season, drawing tourists whose spending indirectly supports local trades.
Environmental certification now influences buyer decisions more than ever. The Italian Institute for Sustainable Timber reports that 62 percent of Umbrian sawmills hold FSC or PEFC chain-of-custody status, a figure above the national average. Architects specify European ash and thermally modified beech for open-riser designs that allow natural light to filter between steps. Finishing options have multiplied too: hard-wax oils, water-based lacquers, even carbonised wood treatments inspired by Japanese shou-sugi-ban techniques. Yet challenges persist. Raw material costs climbed sharply after supply-chain disruptions in late 2025, and some smaller firms struggle to absorb the increases without passing them to clients. A proposed municipal tax incentive for heritage-grade renovations awaits approval by Perugia's city council, with a vote expected before summer recess.