Custom Wood Stair Treads to Match Your Flooring

Twenty years ago if you wanted hardwood flooring, it was pretty much limited to "red oak 2-1/4" strips". Today we can choose from imported tropical hardwoods, and engineered flooring from laminates to bamboo, in a variety of widths. Our old favorite, red oak is now readily available knotty and rustically scraped.

Typically stair treads are matched to the flooring. In many cases stair treads are not available in these custom species, and treads will need to be custom made. This does not present a problem for a custom stair company, however it will increase the cost of your stair.

Stair treads are typically 1" to 1-1/16" thick, while flooring is 3/4", therefore flooring material is not used for treads. Lumber in the same species is used to make the treads. In flooring, edges are not exposed, however treads have a front nose that exposes the full edge of the material. Engineered or laminated materials are not used for treads, as their layers would be visible on the front edge. It is best to use solid materials for treads.

In cases of the most premium species like Tuscan Olive Wood or Golden Acacia, the lumber is limited, and often not available in the thicker cuts needed for stair treads. In these cases, the thinner cuts must be face glued on another wood to get the tread thick enough. A custom nose is made and attached to the tread front. This adds quite a bit of labor and therefore cost to the treads. The price of custom species stair treads has no relation to the price of the same species of flooring.

It is not uncommon for customers to have their flooring purchased or even installed, when they price out their stair (treads). Matching custom species can cost more than than they expect. To manage to your budget, prior to purchasing your flooring, contact your stair company and cost out the treads in that species to verify that the treads can be made within your budget.