Choose the Right Wood Species For Your Stairs
There are a lot of factors when choosing the right wood for your stairs. Whether your primary focus is matching your existing floors, handling the foot traffic or wear and tear, or fitting your budget. Each wood species offers different benefits and strengths. We have a selection of woods to ensure you find the right wood to fit your needs.
Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have about choosing the right wood species for your home. An expert will be happy to help you make the decision. Visit our Contact page or call us at 1.800.586.5864.
Birch
Characteristics
- Color: Light yellow with occasional reddish-brown streaks.
- Grain Pattern: Fine, even texture with a straight grain.
Uses:
- Flooring and Stair Treads.
- Valued for its affordability and availability.
Advantages:
- A cost-effective option with wide availability.
- Takes stains and finishes well, allowing for creative customization.
Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba)
Characteristics:
- Color: Deep reddish-brown with occasional dark streaks.
- Grain Pattern: Interlocking grain with a distinctive look.
Uses:
- Valued for its luxurious appearance in flooring, furniture, and decorative veneers.
- Suitable for high-traffic areas due to its durability.
Advantages:
- Exotic and opulent appearance, adding a touch of luxury to any setting.
- Highly durable and resistant to wear, ensuring a long lifespan.
Northern Red Oak
Characteristics:
- Color: Light to medium reddish-brown with a prominent grain pattern.
- Grain Pattern: Coarse, open grain with a distinctive look.
Uses:
- Widely employed in cabinetry, flooring, and furniture production.
- Frequently chosen for its affordability and workability.
Advantages:
- Widely available and economically priced compared to other hardwoods.
- Excellent workability and takes stains and finishes well, providing versatility in design.
White Oak
Characteristics:
- Color: Light to medium brown with a distinctive grain pattern.
- Grain Pattern: Straight and prominent grain with a coarse texture.
Uses:
- Commonly used in flooring , millwork and high end furniture.
- Highly valued for its durability and resistance to moisture.
Advantages:
- Highly durable and resistant to moisture, perfect for most applications.
- Takes stains and finishes well, allowing for a wide range of design possibilities.
American Cherry
Characteristics:
- Color: Rich reddish-brown with a golden hue.
- Grain Pattern: Fine, straight grain with occasional figuring.
- Hardness: Moderate.
Uses:
- Ideal for crafting high-quality rich flooring and stair treads.
- Well-suited for fine woodworking, such as carving and turning.
Advantages:
- Boasts a warm, elegant appearance that enhances any space.
- Ages gracefully, deepening in color and character over time.
- Known for its excellent workability, making it a preferred choice for fine woodworking.
Walnut
Characteristics:
- Color: Dark chocolate brown with a straight grain.
- Grain Pattern: Fine, straight grain with occasional swirls.
Uses:
- Preferred for crafting high-end furniture, musical instruments, and gunstocks.
- Sought after for its rich, elegant appearance.
Advantages:
- Exudes a rich, elegant appearance with excellent workability.
- Highly stable and durable, making it a worthwhile investment.
Ash
Characteristics:
- Color: Light, pale yellow with a straight grain.
- Hardness: Tough and durable.
- Grain: Ash wood is known for its distinctive grain pattern, which is characterized by a straight, pronounced, and relatively uniform texture.
Uses:
- Frequently utilized for crafting tool handles, sports equipment, and furniture.
- Popular in flooring due to its durability and shock resistance. Makes for durable stair treads.
Advantages:
- Renowned for its remarkable shock resistance, making it a favored choice for sports equipment like baseball bats.
- Takes stains and finishes exceptionally well, providing versatility in design.
Hickory
Characteristics:
- Color: Varied, ranging from light to dark brown with pronounced grain patterns.
- Hardness: Extremely hard and tough.
Uses:
- Frequently utilized for tool handles, flooring, and cabinetry.
- Ideal for high-traffic areas due to its exceptional durability.
Advantages:
- Unparalleled durability and strength, ideal for high-traffic areas and heavy-duty applications.
- Resistant to moisture and insect damage, ensuring a long lifespan.
Maple
Characteristics:
- Color: Pale, creamy-white with occasional reddish-brown streaks.
- Grain Pattern: Fine, even texture with a subtle grain.
Uses:
- Preferred choice for high-end furniture, flooring, and kitchen cabinets.
- Widely used for cutting boards and other culinary tools due to its density.
Advantages:
- Boasts exceptional hardness and durability, ideal for heavy-use applications.
- Resists moisture and humidity changes well, ensuring longevity.