Choosing a Wood for Your Custom Stair Tread

A staircase is a functional part of a home, but with the right choice in design and material, you can turn it into a beautiful feature of your home. For those who are building a home or those who need to undertake stair tread remodeling because creaks and visible cracks, the following list of treads can help you narrow down your choice. Treads can be made to match any decor, with beveled or decorative edging. You can also have the wood distressed and hand-scraped to create a classic look with great value. Here are some wood options.


Going Economical

If you want to a thrift option, you should choose a tread from an economical hardwood. Poplar is a fine-grained wood that is easy to cut and covers well with paint. It’s a lightweight wood and somewhat soft. Ash stair treads are strong and a gray-brown color. Red oak has a place in many homes, being strong, rigid, and resistant to warping. The color finished well but can be difficult to cut.


Middle of the Line

If you have a moderate budget for stair tread remodeling, these woods may be a good choice. White oak is open-graining, resists warping and shrinking, and finished well. Hard maple is one of the strongest woods, with many people looking for pieces that have wavy grains or bird’s-eye markings. Cherry treads have beautiful markings, with the wood gradually darkening overt time. Walnut is a durable choice with great color.


Luxury Options

For the deep pockets, mahogany treads are fine-grained and highly durable. They are resisting to swelling, warping, and shrinking, as well as being easy to finish and cut. Birch treads are strong, hard, and fine-grained. It has a similar color to maple and finishes well.


To get started on your customer stair tread remodeling, contact a local contractor. They can take your staircase from drab to fab in no time.