Plain sawn
the most common cut, showing a cathedral or wavy grain pattern.
Wood guide
White Oak Stair Treads and White Oak Stairs
White oak is a popular choice for stair treads because of its tight grain, light to medium color and hardness. This guide covers how white oak compares with red oak, how the cut changes the look, common finishes and how treads can match a white oak floor.
White oak grain, color and hardness
| White oak | Red oak | |
|---|---|---|
| Grain | Tighter, straighter grain | More open, pronounced grain |
| Color | Light tan to brown with olive or gray tones | Pinkish to reddish-brown tones |
| Hardness (Janka, general) | About 1,360 lbf | About 1,290 lbf |
Quarter sawn, rift sawn and plain sawn white oak
Quarter sawn
cut so the grain runs straight, often with ray fleck (flake) figure that is especially visible in white oak.
Rift sawn
cut to give a very straight, linear grain with little or no ray fleck.
Quarter and rift sawn boards are generally considered more dimensionally stable than plain sawn boards, and they usually cost more because the cuts yield less usable lumber.
Finishes for white oak stairs
Clear finishes
keep the natural light color of white oak.
Stains
white oak takes stain well, including darker and gray-toned colors.
Matte and satin sheens
are often chosen for stairs because they show less wear than gloss.
Matching treads to a white oak floor
Stock white oak treads may not match the species cut, stain or sheen of your floor. Tread Space makes stair parts by hand in Columbia Falls, Montana, from the flooring identified for your project. Suitability is confirmed during project review, and pricing and turnaround are confirmed on your written quote.
Floating white oak treads for open-riser stairs can be wrapped from the flooring in 4, 5 or 6-sided configurations confirmed during project review. Structural support and installation are handled by your builder or installer.
Common questions
Is white oak good for stair treads?
Yes. White oak is hard, has a tight grain and takes finishes well, which is why it is widely used for stairs.
Is white oak harder than red oak?
Slightly. White oak is about 1,360 lbf on the Janka scale and red oak about 1,290 lbf, as general industry figures.
What is the difference between rift and quarter sawn white oak?
Both have straight grain. Quarter sawn often shows ray fleck figure; rift sawn shows a straight, linear grain with little or no fleck.
Can white oak stair treads be stained?
Yes. White oak takes stain well, including darker and gray-toned colors, or it can be finished clear.
Can my white oak treads match my floor?
Treads can be made from the wood flooring identified for your project so the stairs match. Suitability is confirmed during project review and on your written quote.
Related guides
Ready for your stair parts?
Pricing and turnaround are confirmed on your written quote.