Solid treads
cut from solid lumber in the chosen species.
Wood guide
Wood Stair Treads: A Guide to Wooden Stairs
Wood stairs can be built with solid wood treads or with treads finished in the same wood flooring as the rooms around them. This hub covers common species, tread construction, thickness and nosing profiles, with links to detailed guides.
Common wood species for stair treads
| Species | Look | Hardness (Janka, general) |
|---|---|---|
| White oak | Tight grain, light tan to brown | About 1,360 lbf |
| Red oak | Open grain, warm reddish tones | About 1,290 lbf |
| Hickory | Strong color variation and bold grain | About 1,820 lbf |
| Hard maple | Fine, even grain, pale color | About 1,450 lbf |
| Black walnut | Rich dark brown, straight grain | About 1,010 lbf |
Solid vs flooring-wrapped wood treads
Flooring-wrapped treads
finished with the same wood flooring used in the room, so the tread surface, nosing and riser carry the floor's species, stain and sheen.
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.
Tread thickness
Common solid tread thicknesses are 1 in and 1-1/2 in. Floating and cantilevered treads are usually thicker in appearance. Flooring thickness also changes the first and last riser heights, so plan for it before the stair is finished.
Nosing profiles for wood stairs
Bullnose
fully rounded, traditional.
Square or eased edge
crisp and modern with softened corners.
Flush or overlap
describe how the nose meets the flooring on the tread.
Common questions
What is the best wood for stair treads?
Oak, hickory and maple are common because they are hard and durable. The best choice often depends on matching the floors around the stair.
How thick are wood stair treads?
Common solid tread thicknesses are 1 in and 1-1/2 in. Floating treads are usually thicker in appearance.
What is the difference between solid and flooring-wrapped treads?
Solid treads are cut from lumber. Flooring-wrapped treads are finished with the room's wood flooring so the stair matches the floor.
Can wood stair treads match my hardwood floor?
Treads can be made from the wood flooring identified for your project. Suitability is confirmed during project review.
What nosing profile suits wooden stairs?
Bullnose suits traditional stairs; square or eased-edge nosing suits modern interiors. The profile available for your flooring is confirmed during review.
Ready for your stair parts?
Pricing and turnaround are confirmed on your written quote.